POLITICAL ASPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF UKRAINE’S EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

«Integration» in translation from the Latin means «integration» – restoration, unification into a whole. The term «economic integration» is characteristic for describing modern international politics and processes of regional and global rapprochement. Integration processes began in Europe after the Second World War, when joint efforts were necessary for rebuilding, to ensure peace and security on the continent. Thus, begins the process of institutionalizing a united Europe, culminating in the formation of the European Union. One of the common policies of the Union is the EU's foreign policy, toward third countries which includes cooperation with the possibility of further integration as a full member of the community. Cooperation between Ukraine and the EU began with the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and reached the stage of Ukraine receiving the status of a candidate country and announcing the start of pre-accession negotiations.