Ukraine and the EU are very close to sign the Association Agreement this year. The text of the Agreement is already waiting on the table.

There is a clear commitment and political will on both sides to sign the Agreement.  At the same time, feelings concerning the future of Agreement are mixed.

EU-Ukraine Summit in February will be a good opportunity to review mutual engagement for the political association and economic integration of Ukraine with the EU.

There are no doubts that Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit in November 2013 has to become appropriate place to sign Association Agreement. The conclusion of the Agreement has to underline the seriousness of the EU’s commitment to Ukraine.

Signing will become a clear message that EU is able to address challenges in the Eastern Partnership and to create momentum for future opportunities in the region. The signing of the Association Agreement will build up strategic dimension of EU foreign policy.

Delay or postponement of signing of the Agreement definitely will not yield any positive results.

Association Agreement has to protect European destiny of Ukrainian nation. Agreement will be a powerful tool for Ukrainian civil society to press the government to proceed with reforms.

Agreement is based on common sense which is the most European virtue. Common sense is logic motivation that pushes both sides to move forward to sign the agreement.

For EU it will be not wise to take “sit and wait” approach. EU has to be far more proactive. Foreign Ministers from EU member states have to visit Ukraine every month to advance EU-Ukraine relations in line with the latest Council Conclusions on Ukraine. Checking progress  is not enough. Diplomatic engagement has to lead the play.

I hope such personal involvement of Foreign Ministers will result with readiness of both side to sign Agreement in November. I hope, since only pure and fragile hope creates the future.