Ukraine to continue efforts toward European integration: PM

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said Wednesday his country would continue to work toward European integration even as Kiev has suspended talks on a landmark deal with the European Union (EU).

 "The negotiations on the signing of the association agreement will continue. We are working all the time to bring the country closer to European standards," Azarov told a cabinet meeting.


 Azarov called on Ukrainians to remain calm over Kiev's decision to suspend the signing of an association agreement and a free-trade pact with the EU, as escalation of tensions between people and the government will weaken Ukraine's position in talks with foreign partners.


 Ukraine, which was due to sign the partnership agreements with the EU at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Lithuania this week, suddenly suspended put the deal on hold last Thursday, opting for closer trade ties with Russia.


 The scrapped plan triggered protests, which gathered several thousands demonstrators in central Kiev and some other big Ukrainian cities.