You're reading: Yanukovych: Pause in Ukraine-EU relations may benefit both parties

ISTANBUL – Ukraine will use the existing pause in the relations with the European Union to build Europe inside the country, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said.

"The enlargement (of the EU) is a long-run prospect. We are all for the prospects, both for Ukraine and Europe. We will use this pause to build Europe in Ukraine," the Ukrainian president said at a plenary session on the future of European integration in the frames of the World Economic Forum in Istanbul on June 5.

According to Yanukovych, Ukrainians realize European integration doesn’t equate to joining an elite club.

"First of all, this is our homework, and we realize that munch depends on Ukraine," the president said.

He also said that Ukraine also understood that the EU integration has stalled only for Ukraine, but also for Turkey.

"In our opinion, this is an incorrect decision, but the existing pause may well benefit both Ukraine and Europe," he said.

Speaking about building Europe in Ukraine, Yanukovych emphasized the issue of boosting the country’s investment attractiveness for international partners.

"We are well aware that only the investment and innovation development pattern in Ukraine will give us the prospect and opportunity to raise the level of our economy, and hence living standards, and to reduce the gap between rich and poor," the president said.