Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that the signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union is the result of seven years of work by representatives of both sides.

He said this early on Friday before a meeting of the European Council, at which the Association Agreement is due to be signed.

"Today is a historic day for Ukraine," Poroshenko said.

He noted that the agreement would help Ukraine conduct the necessary reforms.

"All we need is peace," Poroshenko said.

As reported, Ukraine and the European Union intend to sign early on Friday the economic part of the Association Agreement, which envisages the creation of a free trade area.

The document is to be signed at the EU summit in Brussels on June 27 by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, the heads of state and government of the EU member states, and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.