Member of Verkhovna Rada: “Ukraine will become full member of the EU in future”

"We have decided on our choice: Ukraine will become a full member of the European Union (EU) and the European community in the future," Valery Kolyukh, a member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine from the ruling party Servant of the People told Easter Europe bureau of Report.

"Granting Ukraine the candidate status is not just a new stage for our state. It opens a new page in the history of Ukraine's European integration," he said.

"This is a historic decision that forever affirms the perception of our country, and our self-identification. Ukraine is neither a buffer zone nor a zone of influence between west and east, Europe and Asia, but a European country. Candidate status is a new image for us. Moreover, it is a confirmation of our efforts to develop as a democratic, legal European state. Candidate status is a great success for Ukraine. It creates new opportunities, integration, reforms, and full membership in the European Union."

EU granted Ukraine and Moldova candidate status at the last summit of the organization.