Ukraine Has to Adopt Laws Advancing Eurointegration - President Yanukovych

KYIV, Ukraine, September 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

The first and foremost issue on parliament's agenda is adoption of the laws required for further advancement of Ukraine's European integration, reckoned Viktor Yanukovych, President of Ukraine, during his speech at the opening of the fall session of the Eastern European country's parliament. President Yanukovych reminded the politicians and legislators that adopting such laws was the prerequisite for Ukraine before the November Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius.

Ukrainian leader highlighted the fact that the Association Agreement (AA) with the EU along with the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement would open new opportunities for cooperation with Eurasian partners, as well as with European ones.

Talking about the need to prepare for the Vilnius summit, the head of state emphasized that it was not the ruling party or the opposition who need the AA, but Ukraine. In his opinion, the document would stimulate modernization and improvement of the social standards as well as the reforms in the country. Introduction of the European social standards would increase the quality of life of Ukrainians. Adoption of the laws furthering European integration is a step Ukraine takes toward Europe and a step toward building Europe in Ukraine, stated the top official.

During the fall session the Ukrainian parliament will vote for the laws regulating judicial reform, prosecution, domestic affairs, etc. Preceding the Eastern Partnership Summit, Ukraine intends to facilitate implementation of the new Criminal Procedural Code, legal practice and torture prevention legislation, as well as increase state finances transparency and improve anti-corruption legislation. Moreover, Ukraine has yet to adopt the remaining laws required by the Action Plan on Visa Liberalization with the EU.

The Eastern Partnership Summit will take place in Vilnius on November 28-29, 2013. The event will mark the four years of the Eastern Partnership program of the EU. The Eastern Partnership was created to strengthen the ties between the EU and six neighboring countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, informs eeas.europa.eu.

The goals of the summit agenda, according to the European Union External Action Service website, include signing of the AA with Ukraine, provided the benchmarks set in December 2012 are met, and the finalization of negotiations on the AAs with Moldova, Georgia and Armenia.