President Yanukovych stressed that despite the difficult situation, current government managed to approach final stage of elaboration of the budget.
Viktor Yanukovych has informed Stefan Füle about the agreements signed yesterday in Kharkiv during his meeting with the President of Russia.
"You probably know about the agreement we reached with Dmitry Medvedev. It allows to reduce the budget deficit and balance the budget of Naftogaz Ukraine, which, among other things will allow Naftogaz to start repaying debts to its creditors," said Viktor Yanukovych, adding that improvement of the situation adds optimism.
"In this situation, our Committee for Economic Reforms will be working more confidently and already this year we will make the first steps toward economic reforms in Ukraine," said the President.
He also expressed hope that soon sides will manage to conclude negotiations on a number of issues in relations between Ukraine and the EU.
"Of course, we hope that this year we will agree on establishment of a free trade area with the EU, get a roadmap for visa-free travel between Ukraine and the EU countries. And of course we will work hard to make the Association Agreement with the EU possible already this year,” said Viktor Yanukovych, adding that now our country continues active work on harmonizing Ukrainian legislation with the European.
From his part Stefan Füle noted that deployment of other states’ military bases at the territory of Ukraine belongs to its sovereign competence.
According to Commissioner Füle, making the decision on prolonging deployment of Russian Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine is the "right of Ukraine as a sovereign state."
Stefan Füle also said that the Commission plans to provide technical assistance to Ukraine in carrying out reforms being developed by the Committee for Economic Reform, established by the President.
