On 15 May 2012 in Brussels Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov met with EU High Representative, Vice President of the EC Catherine Ashton .

M.Azarov and C.Ashton discussed topical issues of Ukraine-EU relations, including prospects for conlusion of the Association Agreement. In this context the High Representative briefed the Prime Minister about the discussion of this issue at Foreign Affairs Council on 14 May 2012.

The Head of the Ukrainian Government informed the High Representative about the reforms undertaken in Ukraine. He has assured that Ukraine strives to answer in the most trasparent and constructive way the remarks of the EU. In particular, he draw her attention to the adoption of a new Code of Criminal Procedure of Ukraine which is set to drastically change criminal proceedings in order to be based on the European principles. The Prime Minister also stressed on reforms in tax, customs sectors and on ongoing process of deregulation of the economy.

In turn, Catherine Ashton stressed that respect by Ukraine of the principles of the rule of law, free and fair democratic parliamentary elections this year will play a crucial role for the speed of political association and economic integration of Ukraine with the EU.