Ukraine re-examining European integration course, but continues work on it – Yanukovych

KYIV. Dec 26 (Interfax) – Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych expects the government and the parliament to work together effectively on the negotiations on the preparations for signing an association agreement with the European Union.

“I expect the government and parliamentarians to work together closely on the negotiations and work on this agreement, which should be profitable to Ukraine and be in line with its national interests,” he said while opening the meeting of the regions Council in Kyiv on Thursday.

Yanukovych reiterated that Ukraine continues its dialogue with the EU in the search for ways of real and effective cooperation. “We are not stopping. We are re-examining the issue and we are moving on,” he said.

Yanukovych reiterated that officials who did not work on the draft association agreement hard enough should be punished.

“Those officials who did not conduct appropriate procedures and did not discuss this agreement with associations of commodity producers, did not hold appropriate debates and did not reach understanding should bear liability for it. I expect proposals from you,” Yanukovych told Prime Minister Mykola Azarov.