In Brussels, Vice Prime Minister Oleh Rybachuk signed the Ukraine-EU Action Plan, which sets out the framework for relations with the European Union until 2007. \n \nThe signing ceremony took place on Monday evening after a meeting of the Ukraine-EU Cooperation Council. \n \nOn behalf of the European Union, the agreement was signed by Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg – the country currently holding the EU presidency. \n \nRybachuk said after the signing that he constantly states in Brussels: "you have a very responsible Ukrainian government, a very responsible partner, and if we put our signature under something, we are certainly going to achieve it." \n \nAsked about the prospects for EU membership, Rybachuk said that "we are not talking about dates." \n \n"We agreed with the Europeans: we don't say 'tomorrow,' they don't say 'never,'" said Rybachuk. \n \n"Right now we are in the first grade – and we are demanding to be given a higher education diploma! When we move from grade to grade – and preferably with excellent marks, then we can say: you know, give us our gold medal!" Rybachuk added. \n \n"If you recall the elections – I had the nickname 'optimistic oppositionist,'" said Rybachuk. \n \nAccording to Rybachuk, "if we show that we are capable of adhering to agreements – then there will be much more specific proposals from the European Union." \n \nAsselborn said in his opening remarks that "the Action Plan is the embodiment of the framework of the EU Neighbourhood Policy." \n \nAsselborn added that they had reached "a decision on the rapid launch of consultations on a new enhanced agreement between Ukraine and the EU." \n \nRybachuk, in turn, said that "between the end of the Action Plan and the next stage there will not be a single day of inaction." \n\nEuropean Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in turn, said that she was "happy that this new political reality has arrived, with President Yushchenko and his new team." \n \n"The agenda of the Ukraine-EU Action Plan is very rich. Please do this, move closer to the EU step by step," said the European Commissioner for International Affairs and Neighbourhood Policy. \n\nThe signing of the cooperation agreement was accompanied by jokes and smiles from European officials and Rybachuk. After the ceremony and press conference, Rybachuk and Solana warmly embraced.