Ukraine PM confirms government plans to sign EU Association Agreement

Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov told his
weekly Cabinet of Ministers meeting on August 28 that his government will sign
the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement. “After signing the Association Agreement
with the EU, Ukraine will create a free trade zone with the EU. That has to be
accepted as reality,” Azarov said. In addition, Ukraine’s government and
business will energetically work to remove obstacles in their common actions
with the Eurasian Economic Union, he said. Azarov ordered several ministers,
led by Vice Prime Minister Yuriy Boyko, to development a practical mechanism of
cooperation between the Customs Union – and its successor, the Eurasian
Economic Union – and the free trade zone created between Ukraine and the EU.
Zenon Zawada: With his words and gestures, Azarov
offered his strongest endorsement yet, confirming his government’s plans to
sign the Association Agreement at the Eastern Partnership summit on November
28-29 in Vilnius. He added support to President Viktor Yanukovych’s words on
August 24 that the agreement should become an important stimulus for Ukraine.
The main task for the Azarov government in the next three months is to find a
compromise on the EU requirements for signing and cope with Russian attempts to
undermine the agreement, which will include political campaigns domestically
such as a signature drive to hold a referendum on the Customs Union.