The European Council, in its decision adopted in Brussels on July 16, has emphasized the importance of the ratification by Kyiv of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, Deutsche Welle has reported.

The EU summit participants welcomed the holding of trilateral consultations at ministerial level between Ukraine, Russia and the European Union on July 11 on the implementation of the Association Agreement.

According to the decision, the European Council also supports the setting up of a consultation mechanism to address potential difficulties resulting from the effects of the implementation of a deep and comprehensive free trade area on the implementation of the free trade agreement of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The creation of a deep and comprehensive free trade area between the EU and Ukraine is a major point of the agreement signed by Kyiv and Brussels in late June.