Ukrainian businessmen ask President to delay EU free trade dealNovember 13, 2013 - 09:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Prominent Ukrainian businessmen on Tuesday, November 12 asked the country’s president to postpone the signing of a landmark deal with the European Union, saying they needed more time to prepare for the planned free-trade zone, RIA Novosti reported. President Viktor Yanukovych discussed Ukraine’s bid for closer ties with EU at a meeting with members of the Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the presidential press service said. “Let’s put off the signing of the agreement for one year, if it’s possible. Give us an opportunity to prepare, give us a chance to buy equipment. This important request comes not only from me, but from other industrialists as well,” Valentyn Landyk, the president of the Donetsk-based refrigerator maker Nord Group, said at the meeting. Georgy Skudar, president of the machine maker NKMZ, said Ukrainian manufacturers currently face problems with selling their goods to members of the Russian-led Customs Union. “We are now talking about the association agreement with Europe, but no one there will welcome us,” he said, adding that his company was unlikely to benefit from the free-trade zone and to be allowed to enter European markets. Ukraine has repeatedly rejected Russia’s overtures to join the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan and is instead due to sign a series of free-trade and association deals with the European Union this month. Russian presidential adviser Sergei Glazyev warned that the EU deal would be “suicidal” for Ukraine because it would trigger a permanent tightening of customs procedures for Ukrainian goods entering Russia. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |