Ukraine to develop better Russia ties: Turchinov
Iran Press TV
Sun Feb 23, 2014 9:49PM GMT
Ukraine's acting President Oleksander Turchinov has announced Kiev's decision to forge better relations with Russia after its integration with the European Union.
Turchinov made the remarks on Sunday, telling his supporters that the fall of President Victor Yanukovych, adds to the enormity of the task facing Ukraine's new leadership circle.
'We recognize the importance of relations with the Russian Federation and are ready for dialogue with the Russian leadership in order to build relations with this country on a new, truly equitable and good-neighborly basis,' said Turchinov.
He added, 'Another priority is the return to the path of European integration ... We must return to the family of European nations.'
Earlier on Sunday, parliamentary speaker Turchinov, was chosen by fellow lawmakers as acting president of the country.
He described one of the vital responsibilities of the new authorities as stabilizing an economy which he said was close to default and 'heading into the abyss.'
'Against the background of global economic recovery, the Ukrainian economy is heading into the abyss and is in a pre-default state,' said Turchinov.
'The task of the new government is to stop the country's slide into the abyss, to stabilize the exchange rate, guarantee the timely payment of salaries, pensions and stipends, and to regain the confidence of investors, promote the development of enterprises and the creation of new jobs,' he added.
The Ukrainian parliament has set a deadline for the country to form a new government following a vote to oust President Yanukovych.
Turchinov also called on lawmakers to form a national unity government in the Eastern European country by Tuesday.
The political landscape of Ukraine changed on Saturday following more than three months of violent clashes and protests.
Jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, who was released on the same day, promised her supporters that the country will soon join the European Union (EU).
According to a recent statement released by the Ukrainian Health Ministry, at least 88 people, mostly protesters, are now known to have been killed in the latest round of violence in the former Soviet Republic.
Ukraine has been rocked by anti-government protests since Yanukovych refrained from signing an Association Agreement with the EU on November 29, 2013, in favor of closer ties with Russia.
MOL/MAM/AS
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