On May 18, in the framework of his visit to Brussels, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin took part in the meeting in the format "Ukraine - Group of Friends of Ukraine in the EU " at the foreign ministers of EU countries level, which was organized with support of foreign ministers of Denmark, Poland and Sweden
The main attention was focused on the events in Eastern Ukraine and ways of EU to support in stabilizing the situation in the region. In this regard, the parties discussed the results of the visit to Ukraine the EU Civil assessment mission which was sent in accordance with the agreements, reached at the EU-Ukraine Summit.
The parties discussed the preparation for the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga on May 21-22. Foreign Minister of Ukraine noted that an important element of EU support will be the determination the clear time frame of abolition of visas for short trips of Ukrainian citizens at the regarded Summit. The Minister also stressed that Ukraine expects a strong EU position regarding recognition of the European perspective of the EaP countries, which signed the association agreements and chose European way of development.
The EU foreign ministers welcomed the commitment of Ukraine and the EU regarding the implementation of the deep and comprehensive free trade area between Ukraine and the EU since 1 January 2016.
The Minister urged the EU Member States to complete the ratification of the Association Agreement with Ukraine.