Ukraine's PM Azarov hands in resignation
KYIV. Jan 28 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has handed in his resignation, the cabinet's press service said.
"I made my personal decision to ask the president to accept by resignation from the post of prime minister of Ukraine in order to create additional opportunities for a social and political compromise and to settle the conflict peacefully," Azarov said in a statement.
The continuing conflict in Ukraine endangers the country's socioeconomic development and poses a threat to all of Ukrainian society and each citizen, Azarov said in his statement.
"The government has been doing everything it can in the course of this confrontation to settle the conflict peacefully. We have been doing everything in our power to prevent bloodshed, an escalation of violence and violations of citizens' rights. The government has been maintaining the functioning of the economy and the social security system amid these extreme conditions," he said.
"Throughout all these difficult years, I have been doing my best to allow Ukraine to develop normally as a European democratic state. I have made decisions and have assumed responsibility for the benefit of the people of Ukraine. This allows me to look honestly in the eyes of each citizen of our state, each compatriot," Azarov said.
Azarov thanked President Viktor Yanukovych for his trust.
"I am grateful to all the deputies, who have supported the government's very difficult work to modernize and reform the country over all of these years," he said.
Azarov also thanked Ukrainian citizens who personally support him and his government and expressed his trust in the policies pursued by the country's authorities.
"What counts most today is to preserve Ukraine's unity and territorial integrity. It is far more important than someone's plans and ambitions. That is why I made this decision," he said.
Azarov was first appointed Ukraine's prime minister in March 2010. On December 3, 2012, the Azarov-led government resigned following the election of a new parliament. On December 9, President Yanukovych asked parliament to reappoint Azarov to the post of Ukraine's prime minister. The Verkhovna Rada voted in favor of Azarov's reappointment on December 13.
