15 June 2004 21:50
Ukrainian premier advocates post-Soviet economic integration
[Presenter] Deepening cooperation in the CIS and establishing the Single Economic Space [SES, of Ukraine, Russia,
Belarus and Kazakhstan] are fully in line with contemporary globalization trends. That was an explanation of recent
steps by the Ukrainian authorities given by Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych at an international economic forum held in
St Petersburg. He believes that the stepping up of integration processes in the SES will allow an area of sustained
development and rapid economic growth to be created in eastern Europe in the next few years.
[Correspondent] Petrol prices in Ukraine may soon be regulated not only by administrative methods but also by
economic ones. Russia has agreed to phase out double taxation on its oil exports starting from January next year.
[Yanukovych, in Russian] We will set up an intergovernmental working group to monitor the pricing policy - from both
Ukraine's and Russia's perspective - as well as the volumes of supplies in order for us to have a chance to
maintain the fuel balance that Ukraine has and not to create a deficit of oil products.
[Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, in Russian] We have given the instruction to experts and, literally in the
next few days, they are to look together at the existing problems on energy markets in order to make sure, at the very
least, that the speculative, artificial factor is ruled out.
[Correspondent] The reason for Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych's visit to St Petersburg was an international
economic forum held in the Tavricheskiy Palace.
[Passage omitted: background to forum, venue]
[Correspondent] Yanukovych pins his hopes on the SES, which was created last year by the leaders of Ukraine, Belarus,
Russia and Kazakhstan.
[Yanukovych, speaking in Russian from rostrum at forum] Speaking of the European Union, the pace of economic growth
there is likely to become even more modest in the coming decade. Against this background, GDP growth in member states of
the Single Economic Space, which has reached 8.5 per cent, looks more than convincing.
[Correspondent] The Ukrainian head of government proposed that the forum participants next year should discuss the
problem of poverty because it is the greatest woe for the CIS. Also today, Yanukovych flew from St Petersburg to Moscow,
where he is to meet President [Vladimir] Putin.
[1420-1650 Video shows Yanukovych in talks with Fradkov, both prime ministers speaking at news conference, Yanukovych
delivering speech at St Petersburg forum.]
[Audio and video available. Please send queries to kiev.bbcm@mon.bbc.co.uk]
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