Ukraine welcomed on Monday the European Union's desire to strengthen ties with Eastern European states, but stressed that it should be used to move closer to an eventual invitation into the bloc, reported dpa.
"Ukraine welcomes efforts to search for a new framework of relations between the EU and other European countries... which would take into account the strategic vision by those countries of their eventual objective of integration in the EU," Ukraine's foreign ministry said in a statement.
The plan "should envisage a clear EU membership perspective to those European neighbours of the EU who can demonstrate the seriousness of their European ambitions through concrete actions and tangible achievements," the statement said.
At a meeting in Brussels on Monday, EU foreign ministers discussed a joint Polish-Swedish proposal for an "Eastern Partnership" designed to strengthen relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and Belarus.
"First and foremost Ukraine would benefit from this; others would follow according to ambition and performance," the proposal, seen by Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa, reads.
The "deepened bilateral cooperation" should include cooperation on migration, visa facilitation and eventual liberalization, free trade, EU support for economic and political reforms, and student exchange programmes, the proposal reads.
The idea has received broad support from EU member states.
"We do think it's time to look to the East and see what we can do to strengthen democracy, increase the European perspective, and improve cooperation across the range with these countries," Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said.
Ukraine stressed that both sides would have to reinforce their efforts if the proposed partnership is to work.
"The success of these efforts will depend upon the EU's ability to maintain a regular and close dialogue with the partner countries, including Ukraine ... according to the principle of joint ownership," the statement said.
Support for EU membership is high in Ukraine. However, the country faces numerous challenges, such as high inflation, claims of top- level corruption and opposition to further European integration from pro-Moscow groups.