KIEV, Jan. 21 – Poland intends to continue to act as an advocate of Ukraine in its efforts to join the European Union, and hopes that the issue of the formation of a free trade area can be resolved at the next EU summit, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Beata Stelmach told Ukrainian journalists.

"Poland has been and will be the promoter of Ukraine in the EU," she said.

At the same time, Stelmach expressed the hope that Ukraine will fulfill a number of recommendations, which are essential for gaining EU membership.