ABSTRACT
The Ukrainian decision to embark on a new political course, aimed at rapprochement with the European Union (EU), was proclaimed in 1994 with the signing of a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with the European Community (EC) and its Member States. By signing and subsequently ratifying the PCA, Ukraine has accepted a commitment to endeavour to ensure that its legislation be gradually made compatible with that of the Community under the so-called approximation clause. Signature of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement is foreseen on the occasion of the November 2013 Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius. The latter agreement aims at enhanced political cooperation and economic integration through the establishment of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the parties. It will also include more sophisticated mechanisms for legislative approximation. With regard to the legislative approximation of Ukrainian legislation to EU laws the Association Agenda pursues less ambitious objectives than the EU-Ukraine Action Plan.
