Kyiv reiterates its intention to cooperate with Customs Union under 3+1 formula

Ukraine is ready to take practical steps on cooperation with the Customs Union under the 3+1 formula, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said.

"We are carefully studying the experience [of the Customs Union]. We are studying the documents, and we are ready to take steps under the formula proposed by our president," he said on Wednesday at a meeting with President of the Russian Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Matviyenko, in turn, said that the Customs Union was open to accession by other members under the common rules on the formation of this union.

"Nobody is pressurizing anyone, and nobody is forcing or planning to force anyone [to join the Customs Union]. The leadership of our country said that this union is open to accession by former Soviet countries under common rules adopted in this alliance," she said.

As reported, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said earlier that Ukraine was ready to cooperate with the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan in the 3+1 format.