The integration of Ukraine into the European Union : the problems and prospects

Abstract

This work is dedicated to the subject of Ukraine's integration into the European Union: the problems and difficulties that this country encounters as well as the prospects that are seen in the process. In the EU there is a lot of debate on the issue of Turkey's membership but the subject of Ukraine's integration is inspiringly neglected one as there are very few studies as to where the future of this country lies. The matter is seen very differently by the key sides of to this process: the European Union and Ukraine and there is a great imbalance as to the degree of the integration that Ukraine should engage in. The officials in Brussels are convinced that the limited integration is the best option that is available when one comes to deal with Ukraine and the Ukrainian authorities on another hand are convinced that the country should be fully integrated in the structures of the European Union. Another reason why this topic was chosen for this thesis is the fact that the other countries with the similar experiences are already forming part of the EU and just after the independence of the Ukraine in 1991 Kyiv often was seen as having one of the most likely candidates for the closer cooperation with Brussels. This of course never took place and it is important to note why exactly the high aspirations did not result in the concrete results. Therefore, as the result of all these developments and facts the idea to study the issue of the EU integration of Ukraine was born and it resulted in the writing of this thesis.