Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 7 October (BelTA) - Ukraine would like to continue developing joint projects with Belarus, Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov told the Belarus One TV channel, BelTA has learnt.

“We are very grateful to Belarus for the measured, calm assessment of our plans concerning the signing of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. Such a balanced approach, which is currently predominant in the Belarusian policy, proves that Belarus sees this process in a constructive way and draws right conclusions. If, say, your neighbor has taken such a decision, let us think together how to act in order to improve the situation for both of us instead of aggravating it. In such circumstances we are ready for the closest possible cooperation,” the Prime Minister underlined. He said that during the visit to Minsk he will be accompanied by a large group of businessmen and key government officials responsible for economic cooperation.

“Ukraine hopes to further develop joint projects with Belarus. To cooperate with either the European Union or with the Customs Union is not the choice for Ukraine. Ukraine is bound to cooperate with both of them because we are neighbors. We share borders with Belarus, Russia and the EU member states. It is our geographical position that obliges us to pursue multicultural cooperation. Moreover, we have close ties with Belarus in many areas as we lived under a common roof for a long time. This is why we need to be open with our partners to the highest possible extent and communicate our views as clearly as possible. And we hope that the Belarusian leadership will also be able to communicate our stance to our partners, including to Russia,” Nikolai Azarov noted.

Nikolai Azarov said that Ukraine is currently studying the experience of the Customs Union. “The three countries have been engaged in intense negotiations for ten years and I am aware of these negotiations. All sides took into account their specific features and peculiarities. They have achieved some results, established trade, worked out technical regulations and developed the legal framework of not less than 120 agreements. All of them have been ratified and have undergone the necessary domestic procedures. The Ukrainian government decided that it is quite possible that Ukraine would join the agreement on technical regulation. And now our government will begin this procedure. We will have to talk it over with our partners to deicide whether they are ready to accept Ukraine with this position,” the Prime Minister said.

Nikolai Azarov underlined that those who try to judge Ukraine’s policy in polar terms are mistaken. “The formula suggested by the Ukrainian President was finally implemented after the well-known memorandum of the four countries which granted Ukraine observer status in the Customs Union. We take part in the work of the Supreme Economic Council and are going to continue taking part in the work of the Customs Union interstate bodies,” the Prime Minister said.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov is in Belarus on an official visit on 7-8 October. Several Belarusian-Ukrainian documents are set to be signed during the visit. The Premier is going to visit a number of enterprises, particularly those of the agricultural industry and a military-industrial complex and the company which produces seafood. Nikolai Azarov will also take part in a flower-laying ceremony at the Victory Monument in Minsk and the Eternal Flame at the Brest Hero Fortress Memorial.