KIEV, Dec. 27 – President Viktor Yanukovych believes that Ukraine should be taking active part in the joint activities of the Commonwealth of Independent States, as this complies with the country's national interests.

"If we are present there (in the CIS), then we should act, and not sit back and do nothing, otherwise why should we be there be in this organization? Do we benefit from it? I tell you we certainly do," the president said in an exclusive interview with 1+1 Channel.

Yanukovych also said that Ukraine needs to improve trade and economic relations with the CIS countries and the commonwealth is a convenient platform for it.