BRUSSELS, Dec. 17 – The foreign ministers of the EU member states have reaffirmed their readiness to sign an Association Agreement with Ukraine after the country meets the necessary conditions, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said.

"We believe that the agreement provides the best way to address Ukraine's short term economic challenges. Its signature too would send a powerful signal of confidence to international markets and to financial institutions," she said at a press conference after a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday.