Viktor Yanukovych: Parliamentary elections will demonstrate the level of government policy support in Ukraine

The upcoming elections to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will show to what extent Ukrainian people support the policies of the current government. The President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych shared this view addressing the audience at the 8th Ukrainian Lunch «Options for the Future», held by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation in Davos on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum.

"We offer all the political forces equal opportunities for participation in the elections", emphasized the President, adding that the Law on Elections of People's Deputies of Ukraine was adopted in advance. In addition, the government plans to continue working on improvement of electoral legislation. In particular, Viktor Yanukovych entertained the possibility of creation of election code.

One of the key problems faced by the country at this stage, according to Ukraine's President, is the consequences of 2009 Ukraine -Russian contract on gas supplies. "The gas contract signed in 2009 is the biggest problem for our country today." As a result, stated the President of Ukraine, the country pays a heavy price for gas: "This situation is very critical for us, because Ukraine has the highest gas price in the world - without a doubt", Viktor Yanukovych said.

According to him, today the issue of diversification of energy supplies and transition to alternative energy sources is essential for Ukraine. "And such program already has been approved, considered, and it is working", said Viktor Yanukovych.

At the same time, Ukraine and Russia continue negotiations on gas prices and realize the importance of finding a compromise on this issue. "We have been negotiating for two years now. We - both Russia and Ukraine - are aware that we are "destined" to make this decision, to find a middle ground", stated the President.

Speaking about economic integration with Russia and the EurAsEC countries, the President emphasized that Ukraine intends to analyze the results of the integration process in order to determine the appropriateness and depth of integration with this Community.

“I think we will see the results of the integration processes within a year or two. We will be able to assess whether it was justified to make such decisions and how they contribute to the economy development ", said Viktor Yanukovych.  "Then it will be clear what level of integration Ukraine is interested in, how it meets our economic and national interests, but it won’t contradict our European integration interests."

The President also emphasized that Ukraine will adhere to all WTO rules. "The main task is to create integration policy, instead of a policy directed against somebody." Viktor Yanukovych especially stressed that Ukraine will maintain strategic relationships with Russia. "We will build our relations on an equal footing, and such policy will always be supported."

The Davos Ukrainian Lunch is the most preeminent international gathering dedicated to Ukraine, held annually in Davos at the occasion of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum. It is dedicated to giving world leaders an opportunity to learn about and discuss Ukraine’s political and economic situation and challenge. The Victor Pinchuk Foundation and international investment advisory group EastOne have been hosting the Davos Ukrainian Lunch since 2005. Since then the Ukrainian Lunch featured, among others, Viktor Yanukovych, Carl Bildt,
Aleksander Kwasniewski, Bronislaw Komorowski, Chris Patten, George Soros, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Thomas Friedman, and Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

The 8th Davos Ukrainian Lunch is supported by:

Special partner - Alfa-Bank
Partner – Mriya
Partner - Horizon Capital