Tigipko: EU-Ukraine Association Agreement should not worsen relations with Russia

09:29, 23.05.2013 1 min read

The signing by Ukraine of the Association Agreement with the European Union should not have a negative effect on Ukrainian-Russian relations, deputy chairman of the Party of Regions faction in parliament, MP Sergiy Tigipko, has said.

"The signing of the agreement should not worsen relations with Russia. We're interested in maintaining good trade relations with all of our neighbors," Tigipko wrote during an online conference on Facebook on Wednesday.

He noted that a priority in Russia's foreign policy is a free trade area and visa-free regime with the EU, but it also wants to develop the Customs Union, which, after Ukraine joins it, will be significantly strengthened, and this will be beneficial to Russia.

Tigipko said that Ukraine would also have a certain benefit, especially in the first stage, from its entry into the Customs Union, but in the medium term the Association Agreement with the EU is more advantageous for Ukraine.