Putin calls for integration between Russian, Ukrainian economies
(Interfax – KYIV, July 29, 2013) Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed that Russia will respect any choice Ukraine will make regarding its economic integration but presumed that Ukraine may have competitive advantages only if it integrates closer with the Russian economy.
“A very fierce competition is under way on world markets today for these markets. I am sure that an overwhelming majority of those present here understand that only by consolidating our efforts can we be competitive and win in this quite tough competition. We have every reason to presume that we can and should do this,” Putin said at an international conference dealing with Ukraine’s civilization choice in Kyiv on Saturday.
“We will respect any choice the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian government will make regarding the degree of engagement in the integration processes under way on the former Soviet territory,” he said.
Putin cited current economic indicators on the former Soviet territory, which, as he put it, speak for themselves. “Our trade turnover with Ukraine dropped by more than 17% in the first quarter of the year. As for the Customs Union countries, it grew by 34% in the year before last, by another 11% in last year, and by 2%-3% in the first quarter of this year, despite the downturn in the global economy. We are having continued growth,” he said.
Putin also cited close cooperative links in various industrial sectors as an argument in favor of integrating the Russian and Ukrainian economies closer, saying that these links may serve as the foundation for new integration ties, such as, for example, a common transport and a common energy system. Whole industries cannot develop without such links, he said.
The future of economic relations between Russia and Ukraine depends on “how we reach an agreement on working together on absolutely equal, honest, understandable and transparent terms,” he said.
The conference titled Orthodox Slavic Values as the Foundation of Ukraine’s Civilization Choice has been organized by the party Ukrainian Choice.