Interfax: Ukraine determined to continue efforts toward Euro-integration – Azarov to Westerwelle

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KYIV. Dec 5 (Interfax) – Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has assured German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle that Ukraine is determined to continue its efforts on the path towards European integration, noting, however, that extremists and neo-Nazis are obstructing this process.

Azarov and Westerwelle met during the 20th session of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Kyiv on Thursday, and the Ukrainian prime minister said the issues that caused the street protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities are no longer relevant and called for returning the situation back to normal.

“The EU’s partner in Ukraine’s European integration is the incumbent leadership, which has met the parameters for signing an [association] agreement as much as it could, while Nazis, extremists and criminals cannot be partners in European integration,” Azarov said.

Westerwelle said he was convinced that the situation would be settled peacefully and assured Azarov that Germany and other European institutions stand ready to render assistance to Kyiv in settling the crisis. The EU wants to see Ukraine on board with Europe, and the doors are open to it, he said.

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