The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has reversed the previous government's decision to suspend preparations for the signing of an Association Agreement with the European Union and, therefore, resumed work in this area, Economic Development and Trade Minister Pavlo Sheremeta has reported on Facebook.

"The government has canceled a Cabinet of Ministers resolution of November 21, 2013 and resumed work on the preparation of the Association Agreement with the EU," he said.

As reported, on November 21, 2013, the Ukrainian government adopted a resolution suspending the signing of an association deal with the EU. The government led by Mykola Azarov called for a more detailed study and elaboration of a set of measures that Ukraine had to take to restore the lost volumes and directions of trade and economic relations with Russia and other CIS countries.

Tens of thousands of people took to Independence Square in Kyiv in protest against the curtailment of association. Subsequently, the protests spread throughout Ukraine and escalated into armed confrontation between government and citizens. In particular, about 100 people were killed because of the riots in Kyiv according to the Health Ministry.

After a series of demands of protesters and the opposition to the government stipulated by bloody clashes on February 18-20, security forces began to slowly recede. Many MPs started leaving the Party of Regions faction. This resulted in the resumption of the work of the parliament, which unanimously approved a number of crucial decisions for the country. One of them was a vote to remove Yanukovych from office and schedule early presidential elections for May 25, 2014. However, the fugitive ex-president still says he is the current head of state.

Ukrinform