EU-Ukraine trade deal could go ahead

13. 12. 2013

EU-Ukraine trade deal could go ahead


The EU has held out a promise of more financial aid for Ukraine, if it signs a trade pact.


Serhiy Arbuzov, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, has been to Brussels to seek assistance for the troubled nation.

 

Enlargement Commissioner, Stefan Fuele, told a press conference he had offered a road map allowing Kyiv to work towards signing a deal.

 

"We have agreed today that on the basis of a clear commitment of Ukraine to sign the association agreement, we will prepare a road map for implementation of the association agreement," he said.

 

After the press conference finished, Arbuzov spoke exclusively to euronews' Brussels correspondent Andrei Beketov.

 

Arbuzov said his country wants to be closer to the EU, and isn't looking for a deal with Russia.

 

"Our strategic task today is integrating with the EU," he confirmed. "I am here for everybody to understand this position. I am not working on integrating with other organisations and unions".

 

 

Andrei Beketov then moved on to the economic problems. He asked Deputy Prime Minister Arbuzov ‘what are you expecting from the IMF?'

 

"Concerning the IMF, we are continuing talks about the precise amount and timing," Arbuzov clarified. "We discuss in a memorandum the question of 15 billion euros. Talks are continuing, the final amount will be clear after signing this memorandum."

 

A rejection of a similar trade deal by Ukraine in November led to demonstrations, including a protest camp in Kyiv's Independence Square.

 

Source: Euronews

 

EU-Ukraine trade deal could go ahead