Ukraine's cooperation with Eurasian Economic Commission compatible with European integration - Yanukovych to Barroso
KYIV. June 1 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has assured European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso that the fact that Ukraine has signed a memorandum on expanding cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Commission and its interaction with the Eurasian Economic Union in the future does not contradict Kyiv's course toward integration into Europe.
Yanukovych talked with Barroso on the phone on May 31, the presidential press service reported on Saturday.
"Viktor Yanukovych informed Jose Manuel Barroso about agreements signed between Ukraine and the Eurasian Economic Commission on expanding interaction. He assured [Barroso] that this new model of cooperation between Ukraine and the Eurasian Economic Union does not go against Ukraine's membership of the WTO and its strategic course toward European integration through the conclusion of an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU," the press service said.
Yanukovych and Barroso discussed prospects for signing an Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU at the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November 2013 and Kyiv's compliance with the relevant criteria.
Barroso thanked Yanukovych for the explanations, and the two agreed to maintain an active and open dialogue on all issues of mutual interest, it said.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and Eurasian Economic Commission Board Chairman Viktor Khristenko signed a memorandum on expanding interaction between Ukraine and the Eurasian Economic Commission on May 31. The memorandum envisions Ukraine's involvement in the Eurasian Economic Commission's work and its structures.