Ukrainian PM calls for closer cooperation with CIS

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said here Wednesday that his country is ready to boost cooperation with Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. "The potential of industrial and technological cooperation within the CIS allows reaching success in many sectors of the economy," Azarov told the government meeting. Ukraine should strengthen its trade ties with the CIS states and expand collaboration in the metallurgy, aerospace industry, nuclear technology and nanotechnology, Azarov said. The memorandum to deepen cooperation with the Customs Union (CU) signed last week will bring an opportunity to Ukraine to take part in trade-block activities, Azarov said, emphasizing that such step will bring long-term benefits to Kiev. Closer partnership with the CU will accelerate Ukraine's economic development, activate the transit potential and create new jobs, Azarov said. On May 31, Ukraine, which has proclaimed a strategic course of Euro-integration, signed a memorandum to deepen cooperation with the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, but stopped short of being full CU member. Russia has long asked Ukraine to join the CU, offering economic benefits, including cheaper gas price and acceleration of the gross domestic product growth up to 6 percent annually.