The European Parliament has described the decision of the Ukrainian authorities to postpone preparations for the signing of an Association Agreement with the European Union as "a major missed opportunity" in relations between Kyiv and Brussels.

However, the European Parliament reaffirmed its "strong support" for the speedy signing of the document.

This is stated in a European Parliament resolution on the outcome of the Vilnius Summit and the future of the Eastern Partnership, in particular as regards Ukraine, which was voted on during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday.

"[The European Parliament] deplores the decision by the Ukrainian authorities, under the lead of President [Viktor] Yanukovych, to withdraw from signing the Association Agreement with the EU during the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, despite the clear will on the EU side to continue with the association process, provided the conditions are met; considers this decision to be a major missed opportunity in EU-Ukraine relations and for Ukraine's aspirations," reads the resolution

The European Parliament also said that it "acknowledges Ukraine's European aspirations, as expressed in the ongoing demonstrations by Ukrainian civil society in the Euromaidan in Kyiv and in other cities all over Ukraine, which did not hesitate to take its disapproval of President Yanukovych's decision out onto the streets, and reiterates its view that a deepening of relations between the EU and Ukraine and the fact of offering Ukraine a European perspective are of great significance and in the interests of both parties."

In this regard, the resolution reaffirms "strong support for the signing of the Association Agreement as soon as possible," provided that the relevant requirements are met, in order "to send a strong political signal that the EU remains ready to engage with Ukraine."

The resolution also calls for the EU institutions and the EU member states "to commit to a broad opening towards Ukrainian society, in particular through a swift agreement on a visa-free regime, strengthened research cooperation, expanded youth exchanges and increased availability of scholarships."

"[The European Parliament] considers that further efforts should be made to include Ukraine fully in the EU's internal energy market," reads the document.