Ukraine wants to create FTA with Customs Union, join some of its agreements, says Foreign Minister
Ukraine still thinks that the 3+1 formula is the most acceptable mode for its cooperation with the Customs Union, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara has said.
"The 3+1 format is the most acceptable form of cooperation with the Customs Union for Ukraine, in which our state could participate by creating a free trade area (FTA) with the Customs Union and joining in some of its agreements in some spheres, taking into account interests of all sides, without exceptions," the minister said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
The minister also said Kyiv is eager to expand its economic cooperation with the Customs Union and is continuing to seek the forms of cooperation that can satisfy Ukraine's national interests.
In addition, Kozhara said that the Customs Union should develop its relations with the European market.
"Today it is a very specific economic issue for Ukraine. Our task is to create a basis for the real unification of the whole Europe. A visa-free travel regime and a joint free trade area could unite Ukraine, the European Union and Russia in future," the minister said.
As reported, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has initiated building cooperation with the Customs Union in the 3+1 format [Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan plus Ukraine], but the Customs Union members refused to back his idea, as Ukraine will not become a full member of the union under such a form of cooperation.
Ukrainian experts say that Ukraine is searching for a mode of relations with the Customs Union that would not hinder the signing of the Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, with the EU, while Russia insists on closer integration with Kyiv.
At the same time, Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov described as unlikely the chances of Ukraine's cooperation with the Customs Union on the 3+1 formula.
"One should bear in mind that at the political level such a possibility is regarded as unlikely today," he told Ukrainian reporters in Kyiv on February 28.
The full text of the interview in Russian will be posted on the Web site of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency - www.interfax.com.ua
