Ukraine has completed the implementation of four recommendations of the European Commission to secure a negotiation framework for EU membership, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna has said at an expert discussion "Fighting Corruption in Ukraine: Progress towards EU Membership", Interfax-Ukraine reports.
"Today is the last day when we could provide any additional information. On 12, 13, and 14 [March], the European Commission has to make a decision. First of all, they have to approve the report on our fulfilment of additional criteria, and also make a decision whether we should be given a negotiation framework for the member states to approve," Stefanishyna said.
She added that on 11 March, parliament's law enforcement committee approved the last piece of legislation needed to finalise the lobbying recommendations. It is an amendment to the administrative legislation that introduces liability for violation of the lobbying legislation that was adopted earlier.
Stefanishyna noted that the forecasts are "cautiously optimistic". "After the European Commission's decision, Kyiv will start working intensively with other capitals," she added.
EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova said that the next important step would be the consideration and adoption of the negotiation framework by EU member states.