Ukraine wants roadmap to EU accession at Riga summit - minister

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin speaks during an interview with Reuters in Brussels October 8, 2014. REUTERS/Yves Herman

BERLIN (Reuters) - Ukraine's foreign minister said his country wants assurances at a summit with the European Union this week that it is a suitable candidate for EU membership and its citizens will gain visa-free travel to the bloc next year.

Officials from the EU and its member states meet six of the bloc's eastern neighbours, including Ukraine, in the Latvian capital Riga on Thursday and Friday, with a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine high on the agenda.