KYIV, June 1 – Ukraine expects to join the common customs area with the European Union within a month, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.

We are grateful for the provision by Slovakia of extremely needed military assistance and for humanitarian assistance, which covers almost all areas," Shmyhal was quoted by the government's press service following a meeting in Kyiv with President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Caputova on Tuesday.

The prime minister said that Ukraine expects to become a full member of the European family.

Slovakia is one of the most powerful advocates for Ukraine in the European Union. We appreciate the initiative to unite with our friends to promote the granting of Ukraine the status of an EU candidate. We are grateful for such support," he said.

The prime minister said that Ukraine has fulfilled more than 70% conditions of the Association Agreement with the EU.

We have an ambitious goal to join NCTS [New Computerized Transit System] – a common customs space within a month. We are ready for all challenges and ready to implement reforms on our European integration path," Shmyhal said.

Caputova, for her part, said that Slovakia has experience in integrating into the EU, and her country will support Ukraine along this path. (om/ez)