EC Holds Three-Way Talks on Ukraine’s Association Deal

The European Commission will hold three-party talks with Russia and Ukraine on Monday to discuss the implementation of the trade section of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.

“Foreign Minister Pavlo Klymkin will take part in three-way consultations on the Association Agreement, will meet with EU foreign ministers as part of the Ukraine-Friends of Ukraine Group, and will attend the 125th session of the Ministerial Committee of the Council of Europe,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday.

Pavlo Klymkin is also scheduled to meet with European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn, EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom and EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos.

The meetings will focus on EU backing for the implementation of the Minsk agreement on ending the crisis in eastern Ukraine, visa-free travel and the establishment of a free trade zone between Ukraine and the EU starting from January 1, 2016.

Ukraine and the European Union are also expected to align their positions ahead of the Eastern Partnership summit due to be held in Riga on May 21-22.

Additionally for Ukraine, the Eastern Partnership program also will bring together Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia and Moldova.