Ukraine's political choice in favor of European integration has no alternative and the majority of the country's population supports it, former Economic Development and Trade Minister of Ukraine, MP Petro Poroshenko has said.

"I'm absolutely not afraid of a referendum. It's just a thing promoted by certain political forces or politicians to improve their own image. I believe that if a referendum is called, European integration will prevail," he told journalists during events organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation within the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland).

He added that Ukraine should support effective economic cooperation with all potential partners. According to Poroshenko, strategic directions for cooperation include a comprehensive free trade area with the EU and an open as possible free trade area without bans and restrictions with Russia and the CIS. The ex-minister added that Ukraine should develop a special mechanism for economic relations with the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

"If Ukraine goes over to just one side, it will face disastrous consequences," Poroshenko said.