Ukraine will sign an Association Agreement with the EU in the near future, according Vice-PM Serhiy Arbuzov.

Arbuzov made that statement at a joint press-conference after meeting EU Enlargemeng Commissioner Stefan Fule in Brussels Thursday.

Earlier Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Leonid Kozhara had announced that technical negotiations on the signing of the agreement have already started.

According to Kozhara, more higher level talks are currently being planned.

"Ukraine will soon sign the Association Agreement with the EU. There is political will," said Arbuzov, as reported by RIA Novosti.

Ukraine was expected to sign the treaty at the EU Eastern Partnership summit end of November, but announced it will not do so a week earlier.

President Viktor Yanukovych and PM Mykola Azarov have repeatedly stated they are committed to the European integration of their country, but think that the terms of the agreement need to be further negotiated.

In particular, they have said that liberalization of Ukrainian markets and trade with Europe would prove detrimental to the country both economically and socially.

Ukrainian leaders have also stressed on the need to also pursue cooperation with Russia and other Commonwealth of Independent States countries.

Meanwhile, massive pro-EU protests continue Thursday in Kiev and other major Ukrainian cities.

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