Analyst: Ratification of FTA agreement with CIS could contribute to gas talks
17:30
The ratification by Ukraine of an agreement on the creation of a free trade area (FTA) within the CIS creates a favorable atmosphere for the continuation of gas talks between Ukraine and Russia, Director of the Kyiv-based Center for Political and Conflict Studies Mykhailo Pohrebynsky has said.
“The context of the ratification by Ukraine of the agreement on the free trade area with the CIS is known. This is a complex and dead-end situation in relations with Russia that has lasted for over a year and has been limited to one subject – gas contracts,” he said at a press conference in Kyiv on Tuesday.
“No progress has been made in resolving the gas issue, and the FTA does not solve this problem, but it creates a favorable atmosphere for further talks,” the analyst said.
He said that the ratification of this agreement by Ukraine was a purely political decision.
As reported, on August 9, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych signed a law on the ratification of an agreement setting up a free trade area with CIS member states.
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, ratified the agreement on July 30.
On October 18, 2011 in St. Petersburg, the prime ministers of the CIS member states, including Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, signed an agreement setting up a free trade area with CIS member states.
14.08.2012
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