High-ranking officials of the European Union congratulated Ukrainians on the entry into force of the Association Agreement with the EU.
"Today we finally achieve what we have been working on in the last years: a closer association between the European Union and Ukraine. This means closer ties between our citizens, bigger markets and more opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs, increased sharing of experience, information and expertise. It shows that we share the same objectives and that the Ukrainian people can count on the European Union's support and cooperation for the years to come," High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, Federica Mogherini, said.
The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, in turn, praised the decision of the important agreement:
"I thank all those who made it possible: those who stood on Maidan and those who are working hard to reform the country for the sake of. This is a day of celebration for our European continent."
European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn stressed that the first concrete results of the implementation of the Agreement are already seen as Ukraine's exports to the EU have increased and the EU has confirmed its position as Ukraine's first trading partner:
"Ukraine's recent reform efforts have been unprecedented, while much work remains, such as in the fight against corruption, which must be pursued. The European Union will continue its support for Ukraine's reform efforts, with the experience and financial support."
On May 30, the Netherlands, the last EU countries, ratified the SA between Ukraine and the EU. On September 1, the Association Agreement came into full force.