A free trade area between Ukraine and the European Union, the introduction of which is part of the Treaty on the Union, will work in full from 1 January 2016, said during the meeting of the Ukrainian-American business Council on Tuesday, the Minister of economic development and trade of Ukraine aivaras abromavicius. "I returned from Brussels, where he held a number of meetings and trade negotiations. Our European partners agree that the free trade Area should become effective on 1 January 2016, despite all the statements of Russia and attempts to delay the process of trade liberalization, " said Abromavicius to Ukrainian news. The Russian side before many times noted that, despite delayed until 1 January 2016 the implementation of the economic part of the Association of Ukraine with the EU, Kiev has taken a number of decisions of the contract in terms of standardization, technical regulations and phytosanitary standards. The Russian Federation in violation of the terms of the implementation of this part of the contract reserves the right to introduce measures to protect its economy, including import duties on items from Ukraine. the Association agreement with the European Union and Ukraine signed in Brussels on 27 June last year (both were signed similar agreements with Moldova and Georgia - ed.). Most of the Treaty entered into force on 1 November, except for the section on establishing a free trade area, which will enter into force on 1 January 2016. The Association provides for the deepening of economic relations between Ukraine and the European Union, harmonization in the field of law and development of a free trade zone. The full document will come into force after ratification by the national parliaments of member countries of the EU. According to the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Ukraine, it may take from one to three years. before the head of the people's Council of the self-proclaimed Donetsk national Republic Andrey Burgin said that with the entry into force of the Treaty on unification of Ukraine with the EU Donbass will not be able to carry on an economic activity.