Ukraine is expecting to receive more than 40 million euros (over $50 million) from the EU between 2010 and 2013 to fund institutional reforms, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said on Wednesday.
The Ukrainian government is expected to consider a draft memorandum of mutual understanding with the European Commission during a ministerial meeting later on Wednesday, Azarov said.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych wants his country to be an EU associate member by the end of the year. The status would ease visa restrictions for Ukrainian citizens and create a free trade zone between the EU member countries and Ukraine. Experts say Ukraine may not receive this status until 2012.
Yanukovych, who took office in February, has abandoned his predecessor Viktor Yushchenko's bid for NATO membership, a move that was welcomed by Moscow, and promised to maintain friendly relations with both Russia and the EU.
KIEV, August 25 (RIA Novosti)
