Azarov to propose government approve draft EU-Ukraine Association Agreement on Wednesday

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov is planning to propose that the government approve the draft Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union during a meeting on Wednesday, September 18.

"Tomorrow the government will consider the draft agreement and approve it, at least, I as the prime minister will propose that the government approve it," he said during a meeting with UK Minister for Europe David Lidington in Kyiv on Tuesday.

Azarov noted that as soon as the government approves the document, the preparations for the signing of the document during the Eastern Partnership Summit would start.

"We have to overcome a rather difficult path of cooperation, but we are optimistic about this process… It's a big historic event for us," the Ukrainian premier said.

As reported, the government will discuss the preparations for the signing of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement during a meeting on September 18.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara will report on the issue during the meeting.

Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine Jan Tombinski and Kozhara are also expected to hold briefings as part of the government meeting.

The state agencies of Ukraine approved the draft Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU in August. The government will consider the document at its meeting and then it will propose to the president of Ukraine to sign the agreement.

Kyiv hopes to sign the Association Agreement during the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius on November 28-29.