( dpa ) - The United States welcomed the decision by the World Trade Organization on Tuesday to admit Ukraine, saying membership will enhance economic ties between the two countries.
" Ukraines accession will represent an important milestone in its economic transformation, and its participation in the WTO will serve as an important impetus to further economic reform and integration into the global marketplace," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
"WTO membership will facilitate expanded trade and commercial opportunities between the US and Ukraine," he added.
McCormack urged the Ukrainian parliament to quickly ratify the agreement.
Ukraine has until July 4 to ratify the agreement that will also bring it economically closer to the European Union. The decision by the WTO ended Ukraine's 14-year-bid to join the trading group of nations.