Yanukovych confirms intention to attend Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius
KYIV. Nov 26 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych will take part in an Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius on November 28-29.
"The plans have not changed as of now. I have said repeatedly that I am going to Vilnius," Yanukovych said in an interview to journalists of Ukrainian TV channels on Tuesday.
Ukraine prioritizes its national interests on the way of its integration with the European Union, he said.
"The signature or non-signature of any agreement should be substantiated," Yanukovych said.
Ukraine and the EU planned to sign an association agreement in Vilnius on November 28-29. However, the Ukrainian government announced on November 21 that it suspended preparations for signing the document.
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said on November 26 that Yanukovych planned to propose holding consultations at the summit regarding the signature of a Ukrainian-EU association agreement between Ukraine, Russia, and the EU.
The presidential press service said Yanukovych voiced his position regarding the latest events surrounding preparations for signing an association agreement with the EU, the domestic political situation, and Ukraine's socioeconomic development in an interview with Savik Shuster (the Shuster LIVE program on the Inter TV channel), Oleksandr Tkachenko (Studio 1, +1), Andriy Kulykov (ICTV), Larysa Hubina (Channel 5), and Oleh Panyuta (the TV channel Ukraine).