Agro Perspectiva

Prime Minister: Participation in sittings of the EurAsEC gives Ukraine possibility to express its position

26.12.2013 10:17 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — Participation in the sittings of the Eurasian Economic Community as an observer gives Ukraine the possibility to express its position. This was stated by the Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on December 25, Government Portal reports. «Yesterday, by the instruction given by the President of Ukraine I attended a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council at the level of Heads of State, held in Moscow. Since May of this year, Ukraine is involved in working activities of Eurasian union as an observer. This allows us to directly express our position on the issues that are considered and directly receive information about the decision of the Customs Union, which are prepared and have importance for the national interests of Ukraine,» Mykola Azarov noted. At the same time the Head of the Government stressed that this is especially timely now when Ukraine should actively and quickly restore the level of trade and economic relations with the countries of the Customs Union. The first thing, which we have agreed with our partners, is that to reach at least the volume of trade of 2011 next year. I clearly expressed the position of Ukraine during the meeting of the Supreme Economic Council of the Eurasian Economic Community: the priority for us is the full functioning of the FTA without exceptions and limitations within the CIS," Mykola Azarov informed. Prime Minister informed that the practical run of all the cooperation mechanisms provided by FTA on October 18, 2011 would be the main item on the agenda of the Ukrainian presidency in the CIS, which begins in a few days, in the new 2014. Other important direction of the work will be the harmonization of technical regulations and facilitation of procedures in mutual trade. Agreement of the CIS Member States contains provisions on the removal of technical barriers with CIS countries as well as with countries that are not members of the Customs Union. «We want to use these mechanisms to permanently remove a contradiction in trade regulation. It is very important for us to return the position in the markets, where more than 40% of Ukrainian exports is directed,» Mykola Azarov said. Mykola Azarov said that the practical implementation of the agreements of Heads of States, which were reached on December 17, was thoroughly discussed during talks with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. «The main thing that I was assured by the Russian side that absolutely all the arrangements will be implemented in time,» Mykola Azarov stressed. The practical confirmation is that the National Bank of Ukraine has received $ 3 billion of first tranche for the placement of Ukrainian Eurobonds funded by the National Welfare Fund of the Russian Federation, next 12 billion we expect early next year.