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Ukraine refuses to sign association agreement with EU

21 November 2013 15:33 (UTC +04:00)

Baku – APA. The Ukrainian government has decided to suspend the preparation for the signing of association agreement with the European Union. APA reports quoting Ukrainska Pravda online newspaper that this decision has been made to thoroughly study and work out measures taken for recovering the lost production volumes and directions of trade and economic relations with Russia and other CIS member states: “With the view of protecting and enhancing the economic potential of the state, active dialogue should be resumed with Russia, other members of the Customs Union and CIS countries to revive economic and trade relations.”

Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economic Development and Ministry of Industrial Policy to offer Russia and the EU to establish trilateral commission in this regard. At the same time, these ministries have also been tasked to resume dialogue with CIS and Customs Union member countries.

As the main condition of the association agreement, the EU demanded to release former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and send her for treatment abroad. Though the Ukrainian authorities agreed with this condition, later it was refused. Draft laws on Yulia Tymoshenko have been refused through the votes of the ruling Regions Party and its allies.