13:34 23.11.2013

Azarov sees no tragedy if Ukraine resumes preparations for association with EU in six months

2 min read

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said it is not tragic if Ukraine returns to preparations for the signature of an association agreement with the EU in six months, after trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the EU and Russia.

"I absolutely see no tragedy if we return to this question in six months," he said on the Shuster Live program late on Friday.

Azarov urged the European Union "not to perceive tragically" the suspension by Ukraine of preparations for the signing of the association agreement and to hold talks with Ukraine and Russia.

"We call on the EU not to perceive this tragically, to realize our economic difficulties, sit at the negotiating table and find a solution over this time, first and foremost, to the question of the gas price, remove all barriers in mutual trade with Russia, resume the volume of trade, which we recorded last year, correct this situation, and then resume the negotiation process," he said.

Azarov said that "a few months ago, when Ukraine felt a blow to its economy" because of the worsening of trade and economic relations with CIS countries, the country asked the EU to provide assistance in Ukrainian exports and its negotiations with the IMF. The European Union promised to help, but the time passed and no assistance was provided, he added.

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