CU countries approve memorandum on Ukraine’s status

A memorandum between Ukraine and the countries of the Customs Union on enhanced cooperation, which foresees the granting of observer status to Kyiv, could be signed in Astana on May 29, government commissioner for cooperation with Russia, the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Community and other regional unions Valeriy Muntiyan said during a video linkup among Moscow, Astana and Kyiv on “Eurasian Integration. Current Agenda” on Monday.

He noted that the Ukrainian side had prepared a draft memorandum and had already sent it to all governments of the Customs Union countries.

“I think that on May 29 in Astana, the heads of state will sign this memorandum on deepening cooperation and integration with the countries of the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space. Or there could be maybe a second option – the instruction will be given to sign this memorandum directly to the Eurasian Economic Commission, Mr. Viktor Khristenko and our Prime Minister Mykola Azarov,” he said.

Muntiyan stressed that, according to the memorandum, Ukraine will have the opportunity to participate as an independent part in the meetings at the level of heads of states, heads of government, vice Prime Ministers, as well as to have a representative at the European Economic Commission.