OREANDA-NEWS. November 13, 2013. The preparation for the signing of the Association Agreement and the beginning of its implementation is a critical and very difficult time for Ukraine. We need the support of the European Union in this crucial moment.

This was stated by the First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Arbuzov after a meeting with EU Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski during his visit to Brussels.

"Ukraine is moving to the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU. We pass necessary laws and government decisions. Also, Ukraine is preparing for the implementation of the Agreement. This is a crucial and difficult time for our country.

And in this crucial moment, we need the support of the European Union," he said.

According to the First Vice Prime Minister, Ukraine has managed to bring their positions closer to the EU on many issues.

He recalled that the government's reform steps have been appreciated by the World Bank.

"In the latest Doing Business ranking Ukraine moved up by 28 positions, ranked 112th place among 190 countries. For three years Ukraine has improved its position by 40 points. Further improvement of the investment climate is attributed to the creation of a free trade area with the EU," the First Vice Prime Minister said.

Representative of the Government has expressed the belief that the introduction of the European norms and standards and the removal of trade barriers will increase the attractiveness of Ukraine and create a more comfortable environment for business.

In addition, Serhiy Arbuzov informed the commissioner that the Ukrainian government is currently working on finding the internal stimulus to revive the economy and reorient exports to new markets.