MOSCOW, June 11 (RIA Novosti) - It is possible to try to combine Ukraine's presence in the free trade zones of both the CIS and EU, Russian Minister of Economic Development Alexei Ulyukayev said.
"I think we must always look for opportunities. Politics is the art of the possible. Yes, we should try to combine the logic of Ukraine's presence in the CIS free trade zone and its possible participation in a free trade zone with the European Union," Ulyukayev told journalists Wednesday.
"This is a great challenge and I would like to warn everyone against certain levity," the Russian minister added.
He recalled that the issue has a legal side - more than 400 agreements binding Ukraine with the CIS, "40 of which are of vital importance."
"We cannot pretend that these agreements do not exist or that they can be violated because the violation of agreements is a risk. And politicians should not assume this responsibility," the minister pointed out.
Ulyukayev also noted that all parties must "search for solutions" and negotiate to make balanced decisions. It takes time and patience, he added.
The political part of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement was signed in March and it is now expected that the economic part will be signed, which includes Ukraine's entry into the EU free trade zone. Both Kiev and Brussels announced their intention to sign an agreement before June 27.
Russian Minister of Economic Development Alexei Ulyukayev said that if the economic agreement between the EU and Ukraine is signed, Russia will have to protect its market from uncontrolled imports.
