Ukraine completes implementing European Commission recommendations as part of accession talks - Deputy PM Stefanishina

MOSCOW. March 12 (Interfax) - Ukraine has completed the implementation of the four European Commission recommendations as a precondition for starting negotiations on joining the European Union, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishina said.

"Today was the deadline by which we could provide any additional information. The European Commission has to make a decision on March 12, 13 and 14. First and foremost, whether to approve the report on our fulfilment of additional criteria, as well as decide whether to provide us with a negotiating framework for approval by the member states," Ukrainian media quoted Stefanishina as saying at a conference titled Fighting Corruption in Ukraine: Progress Towards EU Membership in Kiev on Monday.

The Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada's Law Enforcement Committee on Monday approved the last legislative act for implementing the European Commission's recommendations regarding lobbyism by passing amendments to administrative regulations to institute liability for violating the law on lobbying, which had been adopted earlier, she said.

"Therefore, our forecasts are cautiously optimistic. After that, we'll work intensively with the capitals," Stefanishina said.

Head of the European Union Delegation to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova said the next important step would be the consideration and adoption of a negotiating framework by the EU member states.