22 November 2013, 12:02
ANOTHER PLENARY WEEK OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SEVENTH CONVOCATION HAS FINISHED ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Having opened the morning session, Chairman of the Verkhovna of Ukraine Volodymyr Rybak informed that members of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Prime Minister M. Azarov are present at the meeting.
The Chairman reminded that Government Question Hour is held each Friday during plenary weeks. Representatives of deputy factions proposed to grant a hearing to information of the Cabinet of Ministers on the development of Ukrainian industry and formation of the state budget of Ukraine for 2014. Minister of Industrial Policy Mykhailo Korolenko and Finance Minister Yurii Kolobov will respond to the questions.
Volodymyr Rybak gave the floor to the Prime Minister Mykola Azarov to provide explanations.
“The decision to suspend preparation for signing the Agreement and the Free Trade Zone with the EU is a hard but the only possible one in this situation,” noted M.Azarov.
The Prime Minister addressed representatives of opposition asking to listen to him.
“This is an exclusively economic decision, which is of tactful nature. It does not change the strategic direction of Ukrainian development, established in the Law “On Fundamentals of Foreign and Domestic Policy”,” continued the Head of the Government.
M.Azarov noted that the Government has gradually fulfilled the strategic task of Ukraine’s rapprochement to the European standards by carrying out difficult, but necessary transformations.
The Prime Minister noted that “under these conditions, the Government managed to carry out the policy of financial and economic stability, social protection and modernization of production.”
However, how can we ignore the fact that export of Ukrainian goods to Russia has decreased almost by USD 2 billion in the current year.
These are not the lifeless statistic figures. This is reduction of thousands of workplaces.
M.Azarov further noted that the fact that “the Customs Union member states took the decision to stop the regime of free trade with Ukraine, in case Ukraine establishes Free Trade Zone with the EU” cannot be ignored.
The Prime Minister asked “what shall compensate for losses from closure of markets of the Customs Union? What I ask you?”
He informed that no realistic answer to this question was received.
M.Azarov noted that “the position of the IMF, outlined in the letter
received by the Government on November 20, was the last drop.”
I want to ask you, the so-called leaders of opposition, give an answer to the Ukrainian people: do you agree with such requirements? I don’t. I frankly say to the people of Ukraine: I, as the Prime Minister, don’t agree. If you agree, say so," he said.
According to M.Azarov, the priority for the government is renewing relations with the Russian Federation.
"Main reason for complication of relations and implementation of Russia’s protective measures became a free trade zone with a powerful EU’s market. Our partners are concerned with possible duty-free import through the country’s territory and considerable economic losses as a result of this.
We suggested conduct negotiations to settle issues causing controversy in trilateral format with participation of Ukraine, the European Union and Russia. This is a highly important international issue under the conditions of a continuing world recession.
After long and complicated negotiations, the Russian Federation agreed to such negotiations, however, condition of their conduct is that they should be held before the signing of the Agreement on free trade with the EU. Negotiations will allow resolve differences and continue moving by a defined strategic road without catastrophic losses for economy and people of Ukraine," said M.Azarov.
After his
speech, the Prime Minister claimed "the President and the government of Ukraine
will further conduct the course of reforms in European integration and
development of cooperation with all of our strategic partners."
During the speech of the Prime Minister, representatives of opposition factions started surrounding the tribune for speeches and the government box.
People’s deputies from the Party of Regions faction tied to stand in their way.
The opposition was shouting "Shame!" when the members of the Cabinet of Ministers were leaving the session hall.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Volodymyr Rybak early adjourned the plenary meeting because of impossibility to work.
During the period of November 25-29 the people’s deputies will work with voters.
The next plenary meeting of the third session will be held on Tuesday, December 3.