Ukraine’s EU ambassador has hinted that Kiev is ready to sign a far-reaching pact with the union even if it makes no more concessions on the economy or pro-enlargement wording. If all goes to plan, EU leaders and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych will in early December in Brussels scribble their initials on an Association Agreement putting Ukraine on a path to one day join the union and fully opening a market of 46 million people to EU companies. [more]

On July 2nd, the European Commission has decided to grant an additional €85 million to the Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF) for 2010. This will allow neighbouring partner countries to leverage increased funding for major investment projects in key areas such as energy, transport and environment, as well as in the social sector (for projects such as construction of schools and hospitals). Private sector development will also be encouraged, targeting especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). [more]

The European Union announced today the results of its annual International Drawing Competition on gender equality with a Ukrainian pupil, Olga Chumachenko, winning one of the top prizes in the contest. Olga, a nine-year old pupil from Khakhovka, was one of 14 winners of the competition which was launched this year on International Women’s Day, 8th March. In total, around 50,000 children from 61 countries submitted drawings in line with the competition topic “Once upon a time, there was a girl and a boy, together they wanted to make a better world…”. Participation from Ukraine was particularly impressive, with over 2,500 Ukrainian children taking part in the competition. [more]

Belgium took over the rotating six-month EU Presidency on July 1st, and will pass it to Hungary on January 1st 2011. Fight against financial crisis, creation of new jobs and climate change have become key points of the new presidency’s working program. Belgium will advocate more institutional control over financial markets to protect businesses from financial instability risks.
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“This is an unimaginable catastrophe in Europe. Europe has encountered a great loss. Poland is living through an indescribable tragedy. Never before in Europe have so many high ranking persons, democratically-elected by the people, died in a plane crash. They were on duty working on behalf of citizens. [more]

The main post-presidential election challenge for Ukraine’s politicians and authorities is to stabilise the country politically and economically by reforming its constitution and establishing a social market economy, says Parliament in a resolution voted on Thursday. MEPs welcomed the fact that the presidential election met most free and fair election standards, with a range of candidates offering alternative political views.

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The European Commission proposed Wednesday that the EU improve stability on its eastern doorstep by improving relations with Ukraine and five other ex-Soviet republics, countries Moscow regards as its backyard, AP reported. [more]

The economy, energy and external relations are the three priorities of the Czech EU presidency set to kick off on 1 January, Milena Vicenova, Prague’s ambassador to the European Union told the British Chamber of Commerce on Monday (1 December), the day the presidency’s website went online. [more]

Broadband penetration in Europe continues to grow, from 18.2% in July 2007 to up to 21.7% in July 2008, according to a report published on 28th of November by the European Commission.
The report also shows the gap between EU countries narrowing, from 28.4 percentage points in July 2007 to 27.7 this July.  [more]

NATO is expected to encourage Georgia and Ukraine to pursue reforms needed to eventually join the alliance but stop short of offering formal roadmaps at a meeting of the bloc`s foreign ministers on Tuesday, Reuters reported. [more]