Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko accuses President Viktor Yushchenko of supporting Vanco projects for developing the Black Sea shelf, which are disadvantageous for Ukraine.

Tymoshenko stated this during a briefing dedicated to the suspension of Vanco’s permit for exploiting mineral deposits.

“Everything that took place did so by the President’s order and against Ukraine’s national interests,” said Tymoshenko.

According to her, Yushchenko was present during the signing of the agreement with Vanco: the President was personally the initiator of these things.”

“Sooner or later, Ukraine’s civil society will assess this, and I’m not the only citizen of Ukraine. There are many other people who are ready to defend Ukraine. If officials of such high rank can disregard the national interests to such a degree, then this is an issue for the parliament and National Security Council,” added the Premier.

She called it a “troubling” situation when the government will be forced to take Vanco to court because of “corrupt leaders and officials.”

“Representatives of the leadership are going to say that we are acting against investors, that we’re worsening the investment climate. There was simply no need to betray the national interests,” stated Tymoshenko.

The Premier predicted that Vanco will fight for “every penny.”

“But we as the government are obligated to return the Ukrainian shelf. If Ukrainian society is ready to part with this resource, then this should be a collective decision,” noted the Premier.

“The issue needs to be taken to parliament, and let the parties, that won the people’s votes take on the responsibility and deprive Ukraine of its energy resources. The government will not do this,” assured Tymoshenko.