Ukraine appreciates European Commission support for EU integration

Kiev highly appreciates the European Commission's assistance in its preparations for signing a partnership deal with the European Union (EU), Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said on Wednesday. "We appreciate your support for Ukraine's European integration efforts. We also highly value our teamwork aimed at establishing a free trade area between Ukraine and the EU," Yanukovych said at a meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht. De Gucht pledged to step up the mutually beneficial collaboration between Ukraine and the European Commission, saying that Brussels will continue to attach great importance to the high-level economic and political dialogue. The commissioner also expressed optimism about signing the Association Agreement and a free trade pact between Ukraine and the EU during the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit due in Lithuania's Vilnius in November. Besides, he urged Kiev to further develop practical mechanisms to bring the Ukrainian economy closer to European standards in a bid to accelerate the integration process.