In order to join the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, Ukraine would have to quit the World Trade Organization, or revise its agreement with the WTO, which is counterproductive, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said.
“Ukraine as an independent state is bound by a number of
international agreements. It joined the World Trade Organization before
Russia. We are facing a very simple question: either we quit the WTO and
join the Customs Union, or we must revise our agreement with the WTO as
part of our commitments to the Customs Union, which is very difficult
and counterproductive,” he said in an interview with Russia’s TV channel
Mir aired on Sunday evening.
According to him, during the first stage Ukraine will become an
observer at the Customs Union and will gradually adapt and adjust to the
new format of cooperation with the member states of the Union.
