The European Union acknowledges the European aspirations of Ukraine, welcomes its European choice, and intends to strengthen cooperation via association in all spheres to make the country closer to European standards, reads the text of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement that was passed to Interfax-Ukraine.

The document is ready for the signature and the sides are currently deciding on the date and terms of the signature.

The preamble of the document reads that the European Union "acknowledges the European aspirations of Ukraine and welcomes its European choice, including its commitment to build deep and sustainable democracy and a market economy."

According to the document, the EU also recognizes that Ukraine "as a European country shares a common history and common values with the Member States of the European Union and is committed to promoting those values." At the same time, the EU notes the importance Ukraine attaches to its European identity and takes into account the strong public support in Ukraine for the country's European choice."

The preamble of the document reads that the sides recognize "that the common values on which the European Union is built – namely democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and rule of law – are also essential elements of this Agreement."

The Association Agreement also reads that the sides acknowledge that the political association and economic integration of Ukraine with the EU will depend "on progress in the implementation of the current Agreement as well as Ukraine's track record in ensuring respect for common values, and progress in convergence with the EU in political, economic and legal areas."

The document also mentions that the sides are "desirous of achieving economic integration, inter alia through a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area as an integral part of this Agreement. Brussels also recognizes that "such a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, linked to the broader process of legislative approximation, shall contribute to further economic integration with the European Union Internal Market."

In addition, according to the document, the sides are committed "to developing a conducive new climate for economic relations between the Parties, and above all for the development of trade and investment and stimulating competition, factors which are crucial to economic restructuring and modernization."