OREANDA-NEWS. April 01, 2011. The Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov said the allegations against the Government in the growth rates for food and fuel prices are unfounded. Such statements are the facts twisting. Mykola Azarov said this during the expanded session of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

"All that we hear from opponents is the facts twisting, outright lies, primitive fraud, outrageous demagoguery and populism", Mykola Azarov emphasized.

The PM noted that the prices growth in Ukraine is caused, primarily, by increase in world prices: "The cost of bread and milk in Eastern Europe grew by more than 20%. Even in Germany, a stable price of bread rose to unprecedented 10%. 250-gram package of butter in France in July rose by almost a third - 30 euro cents. Litre of 2% milk in Poland was 40 euro cents, and now it is 60. Sugar price in Poland just recently rose by a half. And so on. I say it not to justify the Government. I’m citing the situation that is in the world".

The Prime Minister said that opponents of the government manipulated the facts by claiming that the price of bread in Ukraine and Europe differs only by interest: "Which European supermarket the so-called opposition went to make such false conclusions?".

"Who are they faking out? Millions of our citizens are abroad and know that in Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, with some exceptions products are much more expensive. Gasoline usually is twice expensive, utilities 5-10 times more expensive than ours, travel transportation costs five times more. If you compare the prices of Ukraine to CIS countries, where is the comparable to our standard of living level? Isn’t it the government policy on the grain market in terms of critical crop which allowed to keep the price of white bread in Kiev at 3,5-4 UAH per kilogram, while in Moscow it costs 11 UAH, in Baku - 9, in Minsk - 10, Yerevan - 10 UAH?", Mykola Azarov said.

He said the root of the problem is that labour productivity in Ukraine is 4-5 times lower than in the developed countries of Europe, we spent three times more energy per unit of production, plants and agricultural technologically are backward or even worn. "Talking in such terms that we can live as in Europe, without applying extraordinary efforts to modernize the economy and legal system, social services - that means to fake out cynically people and deprive them of real prospects", the Head of Government is convinced.

He noted that the only way out of this situation is the reform initiated by the President that will ensure quality and economic growth and raise living standards: "Only the productive work provides funds to address health, education, social security, housing, army – everything of what the public life consists."

According to Mykola Azarov some time will pass and the citizens of Ukraine will understand the accuracy of the new course and feel the improvement.

The Prime Minister noted that Government is ready to dialogue with the opposition, but this dialogue should be based solely on the truth and the public interest.