Ukraine may sign an average of 70 agreements that are in force in the Customs Union of the Common Economic Area. Prime Minister Mykola Azarov announced this at a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Mikhail Myasnikovich in Astana (Kazakhstan), the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers has announced.
"We intend to actively participate in the work. In particular, we are ready to consider and accede to nearly 70 agreements that are in force in the Customs Union," said Azarov.
As reported, Ukraine previously wanted an observer status in the Customs Union, and it was told that the Customs Union would accommodate it despite the fact that there is no legal provision for such a status.
Ukraine and the European Union are expected to sign an Association Agreement that also approves establishment of a free trade area between Ukraine and the European Union at a summit in Vilnius in November. Many provisions of this agreement will take effect even before the agreement is ratified by member states of the European Union. In connection with this, Russia has stated that Ukraine’s favored trade status will be canceled and that it will encounter complications in its operations in the markets of the Customs Union.
The members of the Customs Union of the Common Economic Area are Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Armenia recently expressed its desire to join.
