Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych has signed an instruction to unlock talks on the creation of a free trade zone with the European Union. Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych has signed an instruction to unlock talks on the creation of a free trade zone with the European Union.

The president's press service reported on Saturday that Yanukovych instructed Ukrainian Premier Mykola Azarov, Economy Minister Vasyl Tsushko and Foreign Minister Kostiantyn Hryschenko to draw up an agreed and consolidated position of Ukraine aimed at unlocking of the talks with the European Union on the creation of a free trade zone and submit it to the president.

Earlier Yanukovych several times said that this year Ukraine expects to sign an agreement on the creation of the free trade zone with the European Union.

In late June after Ukraine signed an agreement on free trade with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which unites Island, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, Yanukovych said that Ukraine plans to introduce similar regimes with Russia and other our neighbors and partners.

The Ukrainian president said that it is necessary to finish the creation of a harmonic goods coding system and introduce new technologies in the customs clearance procedure. Yanukovych added that the border checkpoints should be quickly reconstructed as a part of preparations for the Euro 2012 European football championship.