Azarov: To join Customs Union Ukraine would have to quit WTO, which is unsound

09:56, 25.03.2013 1 min read

In order to join the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, Ukraine would have to quit the World Trade Organization, or revise its agreement with the WTO, which is counterproductive, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said.

"Ukraine as an independent state is bound by a number of international agreements. It joined the World Trade Organization before Russia. We are facing a very simple question: either we quit the WTO and join the Customs Union, or we must revise our agreement with the WTO as part of our commitments to the Customs Union, which is very difficult and counterproductive," he said in an interview with Russia's TV channel Mir aired on Sunday evening.

According to him, during the first stage Ukraine will become an observer at the Customs Union and will gradually adapt and adjust to the new format of cooperation with the member states of the Union.