KIEV, July 15 – The Cabinet of Ministers is apparently taken aback by criticism of its tax code proposals.

"I was surprised by the absolutely violent and absolutely biased criticism as if it were ordered in all mass media outlets," said Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said at a meeting with representatives of the diplomatic missions accredited in Ukraine and foreign business circles.

Azarov said the new code, which was given first-reading approval by Parliament in June, will be published “within several days” in the official Uriadovyi Kurier newspaper.