OREANDA-NEWS. April 27, 2012. The Ukrainian Government continues to cooperate with the International Monetary Fund, however, to raise gas tariffs for the population does not intend. This was stated by Prime Minister Mykola Azarov answering questions of reporters concerning the results of the visit of the Finance Minister of Ukraine and the Chairman of NBU to the IMF.

"The talks were held about the implementation of the program, which was signed with the International Monetary Fund and the IMF perfectly understands that under conditions when the world economy is in an unstable stage, require of Ukraine to more "tighten one's belt" and thereby has created  crisis phenomena in own country, it is impossible. The IMF has an understanding of this. Secondly, we have repeatedly talked about it, and our delegation during a meeting in Washington once again this emphasized that it is impossible to shift onto the shoulders of citizens those hard obligations under the high gas tariffs, that are not fault of their own were signed," said PM.

He has stressed that Ukraine is implementing a comprehensive program of modernization of the HCS, is to arrange with Russia on the establishment of an economically reasonable gas prices, would increase domestic gas production - and only then we can talk about "new pricing". "We need to seriously work on the modernization of housing and communal services, reducing energy costs, to review the price of Russian gas, to increase production of its own gas, that is to implement a comprehensive program and on its basis to consider new pricing issues. As I was informed by members of our delegation, the IMF has such understanding," said Mykola Azarov.
According to him, Ukraine has a stable financial and economic situation, and now there is no pressing need to attract the IMF funds.

"We are going to entreat at nobody and are not going to fulfill unrealistic terms. We do not live in March 2010 when we were in a desperate situation. We fulfill all its financial obligations, they are build into our budget. Therefore, if the IMF agrees with our approaches, the program will continue in that line, about which we negotiated. If not - then we will look at life optimistically and are to continue cooperation," said Mykola Azarov.

Prime Minister has stressed that Ukraine fulfills all the commitments made under the program of stand-by, except increasing gas tariffs for the population. In particular, this year due to budget, to the IMF would be refunded over USD 3 billion from 11 billion that the previous Government had taken in 2009.