Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said in 5-6 years Ukraine should reach the criteria that will allow it to submit an application for membership in the European Union.

"These reforms pursue a clear-cut and understandable goal - to prepare Ukraine to gain membership in the European Union. I am convinced that within 5-6 years Ukraine should change and reach the required criteria to submit a membership application [to the EU]," Poroshenko said before a meeting with European Parliament President Martin Schulz in Kyiv on Friday.