Agro Perspectiva

Azarov: European Union has not suggested membership prospects to Ukraine

30.12.2013 12:19 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — The European Union refused to Ukraine in membership prospects in the process of elaboration of the agreement on association and free trade area, though the Government insisted on including this point into the text of the document. The Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov told that in the program An Exam for the Government on the First National Channel within the last week, Government Portal reports. «The social survey asks: are you ready to enter the EU, and the respondents’ answer is positive. But, in fact, no one calls Ukraine there and no one invites! We were demanding for two years that the inscription about our prospects for the European Union (EU) entering were made, but were answered no,» the Head of Government emphasized. At the same time, the Premier reminded that a part of Ukrainians considered that after signing the association agreement a free visa regime would be introduced. However, back in 2005 Ukraine made an unprecedented step and abolished visa for the citizens of over 30 countries, but no country has made a step in response. «We have lost a visa fee, this is huge money our embassies are funded from, we have lost respect of others. None commits unilateral actions in this world. Eight years have passed but we haven’t received anything instead,» Mykola Azarov added. The Head of Government stressed that among the conditions of introduction of a free visa regime was the law on so-called equality of sexual minorities. However, the Premier underlined none derogated them from rights in Ukraine. «Do we ask about gender identity while hiring for work?» Mykola Azarov noted. Moreover, he said that the representatives of sexual minorities cannot conclude same-sex marriage and all orthodox confessions speak out against it. «The law has been in the Verkhovna Rada for several months and none wished to consider it. Neither opposition, nor the Region’s Party, nor the Communists the more so have a desire to approve that,» the Head of Government said. «Can the speechmakers on maidan ask whether the people agree with raising of housing and communal services after the association is signed? The prices for goods will grow significantly, for the imported ones — twofold, as one of the IMF conditions is deep devaluation, a dollar will cost 1.5 — 2 times higher, so the import, foodstuffs will raise in price, salaries and pensions will be cut at that,» Mykola Azarov reminded. «Are they ready to sign such an agreement? Do they agree to close coal industry? And it is demanded from us to cease the state support of our coal industry. Do you agree that a village will be reduced to indigence? And we are demanded to cease subsidies for villages,» the Prime Minister explained. He noted that behavior of the opposition reminded of resentment of a child. «Father promised to buy a bicycle… but, due to some reason, he hasn’t done that and so my dream is ruined,» the Prime Minister joked. «It is necessary to work to realize the European dream,» the Prime Minister emphasized.