Ukraine marks 3rd anniversary of pro-European protests

Ukraine on Monday marked the third anniversary of the start of the mass pro-European street protests, widely known as Euromaidan, amid hopes for closer ties with the European Union (EU).

The protests, which began on Nov. 21, 2013, after the then-government decided to halt the signing of an Association Agreement with the EU, took an abrupt turn in February 2014 following deadly clashes between protesters and riot police. The incident has led to the ouster of former President Viktor Yanukovych and his administration.

A chain of 380 public events was held across Ukraine to commemorate the anniversary of the protests and pay tribute to more than 100 people killed in the clashes.

While addressing a solemn ceremony in Kiev, President Petro Poroshenko said that Ukraine faced severe challenges after the Euromaidan, but it has managed to overcome difficulties and not abandon its declared path towards the EU.

"Over the past three years, we suffered painful hardships -- we lost the best ones, we endured numerous disappointments. But we have never given up because we know that the country is on the right path," Poroshenko said.

Speaking about the progress made towards Ukraine's closer integration with the 28-member bloc after Euromaidan, Poroshenko said that the signature of the Association Agreement and the establishment of a free trade area were the main achievements.

"Today, Ukraine and Europe are much closer to each other than three years ago. This means that the plans and the requirements of the Euromaidan have been implemented," he said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin voiced his hope that in the nearest future, Ukraine and the EU will complete the procedure of ratifying the partnership deal, which has been delayed after Dutch voters rejected it in the referendum.

"We hope to reach a positive decision on this issue soon," Klimkin told a local TV channel.

He added that Kiev also expects to obtain a visa-free regime with the EU shortly after Brussels introduces a mechanism, which allows suspending the eased travel rules in the case of emergency.

Separately, Ukraine's Economic Development and Trade Minister Stepan Kubiv said that although many positive results were achieved, Ukraine should continue efforts to become even more attractive cooperation partner for the EU members and other states.

"Three years ago, Ukraine has declared its right to choose its future path. Today, we have to build the future, where Ukraine will supply its products to many world markets, where the domestic manufacturer will be able to produce goods with high added value and create efficient production chain," Kubiv wrote on Facebook. Endit