Dutch Senate approves Ukraine Association Agreement

The upper house of the Dutch parliament voted on Monday, May 30, in favor of the Ukraine – EU Association Agreement, EUobserver reports. Approximately two-thirds of the lawmakers supported the measure, with far-left and far-right groups voting against it. The agreement still needs a unanimous vote by European ministers, and is expected to pass this final hurdle. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker expressed his hope on May 30 that the agreement would be ratified before the EU-Ukraine summit in July, the New York Times reported.

James Hydzik: Since the Association Agreement has been in force to some degree already on a provisional basis, the Dutch move is somewhat symbolic. However, deepening economic integration is part of the outcome of the formal ratification. Also, with the Association Agreement in effect without doubt, confidence in Ukraine’s direction should buoy both Ukrainian and EU decision makers when further steps are required.