KIEV, Nov. 29 – President Viktor Yanukovych has urged the EU to work together on a program of economic assistance to Ukraine.

"At present, including in connection with the new trade and economic circumstances, Ukraine needs to prepare not only for the timely implementation of the Association Agreement, but also to minimize the negative effects of the initial period, which will certainly be felt by the most vulnerable segments of the population," the president said in his opening remarks at a meeting of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius on Friday.

"This requires our joint work on a program of economic assistance for Ukraine, which will allow us to make preparations for the signing of the agreement. In our opinion, such a program should come as the result of a joint effort by the EU and Ukraine."