The chairman of the Supreme Rada of Ukraine Vladimir Rybak interrupted the November 22 meeting of the legislature after the opposition blocked the rostrum following the speech given by Prime Minister Nicolai Azarov, ukrinform.ua has said. The Euro-compliant package hasn’t been adopted, while the next meeting of the Rada was set for December 3, IPN reports.
On November 21, one week before the Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit, the Government of Ukraine decided to suspend the preparations for the signature of the Association Agreement with the EU. Nicolai Azarov said the decision is a tactical one, given the economic situation in Ukraine. Also on Thursday, the Supreme Rada didn’t adopt the package of Euro-compliant laws needed for the association with the EU. Among them is the bill to allow convicted persons to be treated abroad. This also applies to former Ukrainian Premier Iulia Timoshenko. The bills weren’t supported by the Party of Regions, which has the largest number of seats, and by the Communists.
After the announcement that Ukraine is not ready to sign the Association Agreement with the EU, a number of Ukrainian students and other supporters of the European course announced their intention to stage protests. About 1,500 people gathered in the central square of Kiev “Maidan” last night. The residents of a number towns are preparing large-scale protests to declare the association of Ukrainian civil society to the EU. The opposition supports these actions and urges everyone to take part in the protest on November 24.
The Government of Ukraine proposed creating a tripartite Ukraine – Russia – EU commission on commercial matters. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius said such a decision does not have a precedent in the history of the EU and inquired why Russia should be involved in the bilateral relations between Ukraine and the EU
According to mediafax.ro, the EU expressed its disappointment about Ukraine’s decision. “This is a disappointment not just for the EU but, we believe, for the people of Ukraine,” said the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton. At the same time, the Russian Duma approved of the Ukrainian executive’s decision, saying it is appropriate for the country.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich assured that his country will continue the European integration efforts, despite the suspension of the preparations for the signing of the agreement. However, Arseni Iatseniuk, a leader of the Ukrainian opposition, accuses the head of state of betrayal and seeks his dismissal.
