Ukraine appreciates the efforts of the EU leaders on reaching a deal that paves the way for the completion of the ratification of the Association Agreement, President Petro Poroshenko said on Facebook 16 December.
He said the declaration with reservations to the treaty was a "forced step" needed to maintain the Association Agreement with the EU.
"We have managed to defend the fundamental position of Ukraine: not to allow new negotiations with an uncertain timeframe perspective, prevent any changes to the text of the Agreement or its re-ratification by all EU member states. We urge the Netherlands to complete all the appropriate procedures to ensure its quickest entry into force," said Poroshenko.
The Netherlands demanded to write down in the treaty document that the it “does not contain an obligation” for member states to provide Ukraine military assistance, or obliges EU countries to give “additional financial support”. The treaty also does not give Ukrainians the right to work in the EU, December 15 text clarifies.
EU leaders agreed the “fight against corruption is central to enhancing the relationship” between the EU and Ukraine.
The Netherlands is the only EU country that has not ratified the agreement on the association of Ukraine and the EU, as the Dutch rejected it in a non-binding referendum in April.