EU pledges to strengthen economic and political links to Ukraine

The European Union decided to dub the next EU-Ukraine pact an “Association Agreement.” Talks on this new trade and cooperation agreement should be finalized in the second half of 2009, according to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who characterized the outcome of the summit as a historic point in EU-Ukraine relations. Most recently signed Association Agreements signed by the EU have included a Free Trade Agreement. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, representing the EU, said that yesterday’s declaration marked the first time the EU has so clearly pronounced itself on Ukraine’s European orientation. The EU also said it will start talks that could lead to visa-free travel for Ukrainians to Europe.