Azarov: Trilateral talks to open road to signing association agreement

KYIV, November 27 /Ukrinform/. The holding of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the European Union and Russia will open the road to signing an Association Agreement with the EU.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said this at a Cabinet of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, Ukrinform reported.

"I'm instructing the Foreign Ministry and the Economic Development and Trade Ministry to ensure the holding of trilateral consultations and determine their agenda and practical contractual steps that will open the road to signing an Association Agreement," he said.

Azarov said that trilateral talks should remove inconsistencies "in a triangle of interests of Ukraine, the EU and Russia" and would also help sign the association and free trade agreement with the EU on the better conditions for Ukraine, without losing any markets to Russia or the European Union.

"First and foremost, we want to restore a good trade and economic regime with Russia, and, secondly, we want to agree on concrete assistance on market principles, which the stronger economy of the European Union can provide to the Ukrainian economy during the transition period," Azarov said.

ap