Rada speaker expects Ukraine-EU summit to hasten signing of association agreement

The upcoming 16th EU-Ukraine summit will be an important step towards the signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, as well as a transition to the implementation of the action plan on visa liberalization, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Rybak has said.

"Ukraine is interested in maintaining the high dynamics of the political dialogue with the European Union, including at the highest level. The current stage in our country's relations with the EU is very important," Rybak said at a meeting with Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Jan Tombinski in Kyiv on Wednesday, the parliament's press service reported. The Verkhovna Rada chairman said Ukraine wanted to achieve the signing of the Association Agreement as early as possible. Rybak drew special attention to the formation of a deep and comprehensive free trade area, which is envisaged by the agreement. The conclusion of the Association Agreement will be the best incentive for Ukraine in terms of continuing its comprehensive reforms, strengthening democratic development and the rule of law, he added. Rybak also said that Kyiv was currently preparing the third national report on the country's progress in the implementation of the first phase of the action plan on the liberalization of the EU visa regime for Ukraine, which will be submitted to the European Commission. According to him, the parliament has already considered most laws necessary for the completion of the action plan's first phase. "We hope to adopt soon the necessary legislation required for its completion," the speaker said.