Russia dissatisfied by EU proposals for association with Ukraine, - Russian Minister of Economic Development
The EU has presented its proposals to the Russian Federation to lift Russia’s concerns regarding the Ukraine-EU association, which, however, do not satisfy the Russian side.
Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Alexei Ulyukayev told reporters in Istanbul Tuesday after a meeting with EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström within the Summit of Trade Ministers of G20, Censor.NET reports citing Interfax-Ukraine.
The Russian minister said that the experts from the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the EU would meet in Brussels Oct. 7 to discuss the draft document proposed by the EU as the alternative to the one presented by the Russian Federation back in June. However he did not know whether the proposed document would satisfy Ukraine.
When asked whether he discussed the question of sanctions imposed against the Russian companies by Ukraine at the meeting with Malmström, Ulyukayev said: "This is the issue of our bilateral relations with Ukraine but I have pointed it out as a problem."
Ulyukayev stated last week that there was slim possibility to agree on the issue of lifting the Russian concerns in connection with the commencement of Ukraine-EU Association agreement Jan. 1 after Ukraine had imposed restrictions on flights of the Russian airlines. If the parties fail to agree, the current Russian food embargo and common trade regime instead of free trade zone will be applied to Ukraine effective Jan. 1.
