The Ukrainian president's agreement to appoint Anatoliy Mohyliov as chairman of the Crimean government demonstrates the importance of the autonomy for Ukraine, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said.
"The decision that was taken by the Ukrainian president is a sign of Crimea’s crucial importance to Ukraine, because a key government member was recommended for the post of chairman of the Crimean government," he said, while speaking to the Crimean parliament’s deputies after Mohyliov’s appointment as Crimean prime minister.
At the same time, Azarov said that Mohyliov’s dismissal as Ukraine’s interior minister was a loss to him.
"Of course, this is a loss to the government. It [Mohyliov’s appointment as Crimean prime minister] is an extraordinary case, but, nevertheless, as head of government, I supported such a decision by the president, because I also think that it is extremely important to Crimea and Ukraine," Azarov said.
