Azarov: Ukraine’s association agreement with EU does not hamper closer cooperation with CIS

An association agreement with the European Union will not be an obstacle for Ukraine’s expanding cooperation with countries of the Customs Union (of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov said on Wednesday. Azarov spoke at a meeting of the Ukrainian government, which is expected to take a decision on the association agreement between Ukraine and the European Union. “Committed to European integration, we have done colossal work, we have done it in a conscientious, responsible and open way,” he said and vowed that his country would fulfill all necessary requirements to have the association agreement signed at the Eastern Partnership summit due in Vilnius in late November. According to the Ukrainian prime minister, ‘not so many claims have been voiced’ to the draft agreement that was published in Ukraine in August.