You're reading: Azarov of Party of Regions swears speaking Ukrainian if appointed prime minister

Member of Parliament Mykola Azarov of the Party of Regions faction swears speaking Ukrainian if he is appointed prime minister, Member of Parliament Yurii Karmazin of the Our Ukraine-People's Self-Defense bloc faction announced on broadcast of Ukraina TV channel on March 10.

In his words, at a meeting with the OU-PSD faction on March 10 they asked Azarov many questions on development of the state and his vision of the Cabinet of Ministers work if appointed the prime minister, specifically whether the Ukrainian language would sound at the government sessions.

"Azarov says he will be speaking Ukrainian, and all the government will be speaking Ukrainian," the lawmaker told.

Karmazin noted, no ultimatums were voiced at the meeting, concerning the OU-PSD entering coalition with the Party of Regions, Azatov suggested cooperation though did not elucidate its form.

In his turn, first deputy secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Stepan Havrysh, on March 10 said to TVi channel he believed Azarov was able to learn Ukrainian.

"Azarov a state manager since long ago. I think he has abilities to master the Ukrainian language, I’m sure he will do it as the Prime Minister of Ukraine," he said.

Havrysh says Azarov knows Ukrainian but not perfectly.

He considers such person as Azarov the most helpful for administration at the Cabinet of Ministers, without which it is not possible to overcome the economic recession.

As Ukrainian News earlier reported, President Viktor Yanukovych on February 21 said he was considering Serhii Tihipko, the leader of Strong Ukraine party, MP Arsenii Yatseniuk of the Our Ukraine-People’s Self-Defense bloc faction, and MP Azarov as candidates for the post of the prime minister.

Member of Parliament Arsenii Yatseniuk of the Our Ukraine-People’s Self-Defense bloc on March 9 rejected Yanukovych’s proposal to join a new Cabinet of Ministers.

Yanukovych treats Serhii Tihipko, the leader of the Strong Ukraine party, as the most acceptable candidacy for the post of vice prime minister for economy in the new Cabinet of Ministers.

On March 10, First Deputy Parliament Speaker Oleksandr Lavrynovych, member of the Party of Regions faction, announced parliamentary factions had concluded consultations on formation of a new coalition.

He said parliamentary factions of the Party of Regions, the Communist Party, and the Lytvyn Bloc had decided to form a coalition.