This is the result of an experts opinion poll carried out by “Aksia” Political Values Research Center after the OU-PSD faction had proposed I.Pliushch for the post of Verkhovna Rada Speaker on Monday. Далі

Ukraine`s real economy has continued to perform well with a real rate of GDP growth of 6.9% yoy in January-September 2008. However, Ukraine`s near term outlook has worsened substantially, although medium-term prospects remain good.

Далі

Russian energy giant Gazprom said Sunday that Ukraine had paid only part of its huge gas debt and threatened Kyiv with a more than double price hike unless all arrears were cleared this year, AFP reported. Далі

On November 20 the formal establishment of the first ever Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce took place at Telenor‘s headquarters in Norway. The chamber will have as its main ambition to promote increased trade and business relations between Ukraine and Norway. Далі

A second referendum on a modified Lisbon treaty is the main option for Ireland, according to a report submitted by an cross-party group of deputies in the country’s parliament on Thursday (27 November). Далі

Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers has signed an agreement with the World Bank about raising UAH 3 billion for 30 years at an annual interest rate of 5% to cover the budget deficit. Далі

Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom said on Tuesday Ukraine has agreed to repay by Dec. 1 its gas debt to Russia for all September and some October deliveries, Reuters reported. Далі

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has issued instructions for the drafting of a project to prospect for gas off the country`s Black Sea coast, RIA Novosti reported. Далі

With uncertainty still reigning over Georgia’s hopes to one day become a member of NATO, in the aftermath of its conflict with Russia, the alliance’s Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer re-stated the military group’s desire to see Ukraine join its ranks at a high-level conference being held in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, on November 13. In his opening speech, de Hoop Scheffer said the talks were taking place at a special moment in NATO-Ukraine relations. Далі

The European Commission is to propose pulling the EU’s six post-Soviet neighbours closer to the West by recognising their “European aspirations” and creating a new “European Economic Area.” But a draft communique indicates that EU-Russia relations have preferential status. Далі