You're reading: Azarov: We welcome other parties joining Regions Party

Ukrainian Premier and Chairman of the Regions Party Mykola Azarov has described other parties' wish to join the Regions Party as positive.

"This is a very good and proper process. Consolidation should take place in this healthy political force. Everyone who wants to make our country better should be consolidated, and we will warmly welcome them. We welcome such a process. It’s good," the premier told reporters in Kyiv on Tuesday when asked to comment on a statement by Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn that the People’s Party intends to merge with the Regions Party.

On Aug. 16 Azarov has said that the party is teaming up with the Strong Ukraine Party, which is headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Social Policy Minister Sergiy Tigipko. The merger of the Strong Ukraine Party with the Regions Party will take at least two months, Azarov has said.

Experts do not rule out that People’s Party leader and Parliament Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn and some of his party members could join the Regions Party.