Formula could be found for Ukraine's cooperation with Customs Union - Yanukovych
KYIV. March 1 (Interfax) - Ukraine could get observer status in the Customs Union, or find another model matching relations between Ukraine and the Customs Union's member-states, said Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
"I think we could become observers, or find a format matching the level of our relations," Yanukovych said at a final press conference in Kyiv on Friday.
Ukraine is mostly interested in economic interaction with the Customs Union, he said.
Trade between Ukraine and the Customs Union amounted to $63 billion in 2012 and with the European Union $50 billion, services included, he said. "Therefore, much will depend on our partners - Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, and on their willingness to see Ukraine at this table," Yanukovych said.
Ukraine is interested in doing away with discriminatory measures against Ukrainian producers on the part of the Customs Union, he said.
"They are our strategic partners," he also said, adding that talks on this issue are continuing.
Yanukovych also said that both parties are interested in cooperation. "I will visit Russia soon and these talks will continue," he said.
"The Customs Union has made about 140 proposals over the nearly eight years. But this regulatory groundwork has not been formed to the end. Therefore, if we get any status in the Customs Union and join discussions of issues pertaining to relations between Ukraine and the Customs Union, we will only benefit. This is our obligation," he said.
This complies with Ukraine's national and economic interests, Yanukovych said. "We are not so tough or rich to neglect this cooperation," he said.
