15/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - The EU has urged Ukraine to step up reforms in an effort to stabilise its economic and financial situation. It also said that it was prepared to help Kiev in these efforts. Catherine Ashton expressed this message during the EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council on Tuesday 15 June in Luxembourg, attended by Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. The two parties also expressed hope that negotiations on the association and free trade zone agreements could be closed “as soon as possible”. After the meeting, Ashton informed the press that the free trade zone would enable Ukraine to double its exports to the EU. (H.B./transl.fl)