Yanukovych proposes creating consultative commission Ukraine-EU-Customs Union

Ukraine has proposed to create a permanent consultative format, Ukraine - European Union - Customs Union, and is hoping this initiative will be supported, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said.

In his speech at the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State in Minsk on Friday, Yanukovych said he had had very many discussions with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who expressed concerns about Ukraine's intention to sign an association agreement with the EU. "They are unfounded. Indeed, we have common concerns about the trade regime with Ukraine after the creation of a free trade zone with the EU," Yanukovych said.

For this reason, Ukraine has proposed to create a permanent consultative format between Ukraine, the EU, and the Customs Union, Yanukovych said, adding that he is hoping this initiative will be backed.

Yanukovych also said the issue of Ukraine's interaction with the EU and the Customs Union has also been discussed in the European Commission, "which doesn't object to our [Ukraine's] looking for ways of overcoming barriers in trade between our countries."