"A significant number of people did not arrive in Ukraine as they were afraid. But those who arrived now have a very different idea of Ukraine. They saw a very different Ukraine. They have a reason to think that the media give false information about Ukraine. We should use Euro to break through the veil of lies, deception and propaganda against Ukraine, being drawn over by our homegrown statesmen," Azarov said on the air of the Kharkiv state TV Channel.
He also noted that Ukraine, in contrast to Poland, did not receive any assistance from the EU for Euro 2012 preparations. Moreover, according to the Prime Minister, the opposition held in Europe the "massive campaign" with a call to boycott the championship. "We were given not a single penny, although it is a pan-European event. Moreover, on the eve of Euro, our opponents organized the massive campaign throughout Europe, calling to boycott Euro and even cancel the championship in Ukraine. The articles making foreigners afraid of crime, racism, prostitution, dirty streets and high prices in Ukraine began to appear. It was a deliberate sabotage against our country," Azarov said.
He also noted that now the character of the Western media publications about Ukraine has changed. "Euro is the opportunity to open our country to Europe. Now we do not see any anti-Ukrainian comments in the Western media," Azarov said.
