CIS countries have potential for creation of effective FTA, says Azarov

12:02, 28.09.2012 1 min read

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said that the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have the necessary potential and political will to create an effective free trade area (FTA) within the commonwealth.

"The adoption of the FTA agreement opens up new opportunities for our countries, as the document is the starting point for the development of trade and economic relations between our countries at an absolutely new level and on a new legal basis," he said in a speech to open a meeting of the Council of CIS Prime Ministers in Yalta on Friday.

Azarov said the provisions of the FTA agreement with the CIS should be implemented and developed gradually.

"I think that we have necessary potential and political will for the realization of our ambitious plans," the Ukrainian PM said.

Azarov added that cooperation within the CIS is one of the priority directions of Ukraine's foreign policy.