OREANDA-NEWS. June 24, 2013. Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov has held a sitting of High Level Political Group in the framework of Ukrainian part of Ukraine-EU Cooperation Council.

“We must discuss issues of our readiness in the frames of preparation to signing of the Association Agreement with the EU and the state of implementation by us of so-called criteria of the Agreement,” Mykola Azarov has said.

During the meeting head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Leonid Kozhara made a report on the state of preparation of a joint sitting of Ukraine- EU Cooperation Council, which is to be held on June 24 in Luxembourg. 

In particular, Leonid Kozhara reported to the Prime Minister about the draft program of an official visit, the composition of Ukrainian delegation and EU delegation, issues that might be raised by the European party and also the state of readiness of the documents which are envisaged to approve at a session of the Council.

“Sucсessful holding of the sitting of High Level Group is the direct way to the successful Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius,” the head of MFA noted.

The Governmental Commissioner for European integration Valeriy Pyatnytskyi informed the Head of the Government about the positions of Ukraine with regards to certain trade issues that arouse concern of the EU.

There were also considered reforming of the judicial system of Ukraine, criminal legislation, prosecutor’s office and militia, improvement of electoral law and corruption fight.

On the outсomes of the XVI joint sitting it is envisaged to approve the protocol of the meeting, the third Joint Report of the joint committee of top officials concerning the agenda of the association and changes to the operation part of the agenda of the association.

It should be noted that a sitting of the Council takes place annually in Brussels or Luxembourg. The EU will chair the XVI sitting.