State Duma welcomes Ukrainian decision to postpone association with EU
MOSCOW. Nov 21 (Interfax) - Kyiv must have heard warnings about possible negative implications from the association agreement with the European Union and made a wise decision to suspend preparations for its signing, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Leonid Slutsky said.
"Anyway, a decision on European integration is a sovereign right of Ukraine. But we should remember that a number of experts, Ukrainian experts in the first turn, have spoken about harmful consequences of the association with the EU for the national economy and the security of Ukraine, its independence, and warned that consequences of the signing of the association agreement with the European Union are not assessed fully," Slutsky told reporters on Tuesday, referring the decision of the Ukrainian cabinet.
In his opinion, a timeout is really necessary. "Common sense has triumphed," he added.
"We welcome the decision of the Ukrainian government, same as it is welcomed by sensible forces inside Ukraine," the State Duma committee chairman said.
He assured reporters that Russia would maintain its partnership with Kyiv anyway and may offer assistance of its experts in the assessment of economic and legal consequences of the association with the European Union.
