The upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius on 28 and 29 November could be the starting point for a new trade arrangement between the EU and the countries of the Eastern Partnership - namely Ukraine, Armenia, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Belarus. Aside from the initialling of Association Agreements, including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (DCFTA), with Georgia and Moldova, the signing of an Association Agreement, including an DCFTA, with Ukraine will take place.
The signing will depend on whether Ukraine can demonstrate determined action and tangible progress on the benchmarks set out by the December 2012 Council conclusions, which address inter alia the need for reform of the justice system. The signing of such an agreement would be a positive signal for increased economic and trade relations between the EU and Ukraine, but also for increased cooperation in good governance.