Following the adoption by the Hungarian National Assembly on 25 November 2014 by an overwhelming majority, on 5 December the ratification of the EU-Georgia, EU-Moldova and EU-Ukraine Association Agreements was signed into law by President of the Republic János Áder.
With this act, the Hungarian ratification process concluded. By ratifying the Association Agreements in an early phase, Hungary wished to demonstrate the importance it attributes to the support of the EU’s Eastern Partnership programme and to the European choice, as well as to the EU integration perspective of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
We welcome the substantial progress reached by our partners in developing stronger political, economic and institutional relations with the European Union and applaud the reform efforts and hard work of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, which made the signature of the Association Agreements possible on 27 June this year.
These Agreements constitute a new stage in our relations and provide for a shared commitment to a close and lasting relationship based on common values, in particular the full respect for democratic principles, the rule of law, good governance, human rights, (including minority rights) and fundamental freedoms. The Agreements also include provisions for a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area and help the reform agenda of the partners by providing a comprehensive programme of their approximation to EU norms.
We are convinced that the implementation of the Association Agreements will not only help our associated partners to move further on the European track, but will also contribute to achieving national consolidation and social cohesion, as well as to the preservation of their sovereignty, territorial integrity and national independence.