Presidential Press Secretary Iryna Vannykova has said her boss will regard the dismissal of Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk as “an attempt to slow down the pace of our country’s Euro-Atlantic integration, whose course is being actively supported by the incumbent head of the Foreign Ministry, and considerably minimize our chances to implement policies that are consistent with Ukraine’s strategic interests.” According to the President`s press-office, Victor Yushchenko also says he has the constitutional right to determine Ukraine’s foreign policy and nominate candidates for foreign minister. He also thinks such a decision will undermine his cooperation with the government and the Verkhovna Rada on the most important issues.
The President has always been an advocate of political dialogue, representation of different political parties in government being one of its manifestations. He appreciates what Borys Tarasyuk does and hopes “emotions and artificial reasons will not make responsible officials make this decision.”
