Hryvnia devaluation inevitable in 2013, cabinet to play only technical role, say experts
Kyiv, February 11 (Interfax-Ukraine) – A hryvnia devaluation in 2013 is inevitable, and Ukraine will see moderate inflation growth and an increase in the deficit of the national budget this year, Razumkov Centre Director for Economic Programs Vasyl Yurchyshyn has said.
The Razumkov Center's forecasts, entitled "Ukraine 2013: Between the Elections. Facing the Choice." was presented at Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.
Razumkov Centre Deputy Director General and Director for Political and Legal Programs Yuriy Yakymenko said that actual executive power in Ukraine this year will continue being focused in hands of the president and his entourage.
"Executive power will continue being focused in hands of the president and his entourage, and the government will play a technical role," he said.
The expert also said that among key trends of the development of the internal political situation in the country is the continuation of a conflict between opposition and the ruling party in the parliament, the strengthening control of presidential structures over the courts, and the reinforcement of the impact of the law-enforcement agencies on the internal political situation.
Co-Director for Foreign Policy and International Security Programs Mykhailo Pashkov said that 2013 could be a year of choice for Ukraine and a year for making certain decisions in foreign policy, taking into account that the country cannot continue much longer in its present state of transition.
"We're between two centers of influence – the European Union and Customs Union. The possibility of joining in some Customs Union agreements is excluded, as there are clear requirements: the Customs Union's legal base does not foresee the joining just some agreements of the union. It's impossible to speak about a partial joining today. The choice for Ukraine will be put forward more clearly, and in a tougher way," the expert said.