The Role of Fulfilling the Obligations by Ukraine under the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement within its New Status of a Candidate State for EU Membership

Abstract

This article reviews the ability of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement to remain the basic comprehensive document that regulates relations between Ukraine and the EU after Ukraine’s obtaining the status of a candidate country for EU membership. The current role of the Association Agreement has been analysed through the lens of its dynamic character and Ukraine’s obligations under it, including the implementation of a significant part of the EU acquis to Ukraine’s national legal order. Special focus has been given to the fulfilment of obligations under the Agreement and its effectiveness, especially through examples of comparing the potential results vs. the actual applicability of the implemented EU acquis which are listed in the annexes to the Agreement. Suggestions to increase the effectiveness of the implementation of the Agreement have also been made.

Keywords: EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, a candidate status for EU membership, EU acquis, obligations of Ukraine under the Association Agreement