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Ukraine eyes EU membership for 2020
President Poroshenko announced series of reforms in the run-up to the application for membership
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko (centre) with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (left) and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy at the EU Council in Brussels
Ukraine intends to apply for membership in the European Union in 2020, President Petro Poroshenko announced.
Poroshenko said his country would apply for EU membershi the next several years a series of economic and political reforms over the next several years, part of his "Strategy 2020" plan.
"I will present my vision of Ukraine's development, our strategy for the period up to 2020," Poroshenko told a group of Ukrainian judges Thursday.
"[The strategy] provides for 60 separate reforms and special programs, which will prepare Ukraine for applying for membership in the European Union in six years time," he said.
Ukraine has recently taken steps to forge stronger European ties, in spite of fierce opposition from Russia.
Earlier this month, Ukraine and the European Union ratified an important economic association agreement. Former Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovich's refusal to sign this agreement last year precipitated weeks of violent protests and led to his ouster.
Meanwhile, a ceasefire in the conflict between the Ukrainian military and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine appears to be holding, Poroshenko said.
Over 3,500 people have been killed in the conflict since fighting broke out last Spring, according to the UN.
