Ukraine: EU Integration not Hurting Relations with Russia, says Azarov

Ukraine is stepping up links with the EU, but not damaging its relationships with Russia and other members of the Customs Union.

“If the European Union approves a decision to develop their oil and gas sector by purchasing over 2 million tons of our pipes, we can just welcome that,” said Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov.

Azarov emphasized that the integration process between Ukraine and the European Union should advance, not treading on Russia’s shoes. 

Azarov said that the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union is “a unique document useful in the practical plane both for Ukraine and the EU, which ensures also creation of a large free trade area”. At the same time, he informed that the Customs Union accounted for 36% of foreign trade turnover. 

“In this connection we do not have to choose between the EU and the Custom Union (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan),” said Azarov in a note released on Friday.

Ukraine's government is keen to produce locally to ease dependence on Russian gas. Ukraine also continues to make ambitious plans to decrease national energy consumption, switch its power stations from natural gas to coal, build an LNG terminal, and open reverse flows of gas from Europe.