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Ukraine’s expected GDP decline by 12% in 2015 "disaster" - former president

"The country, that cannot stabilize prices and currency, cannot expect dynamics in economic growth," Ukraine’s former President Viktor Yushchenko said

© AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti

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Ukraine’s parliament approves law granting right of moratorium on foreign debts payment

KIEV, May 20. /TASS/. Ukraine’s GDP is expected to fall by 12% in 2015, which is a disaster, the country’s former President Viktor Yushchenko said in an interview with the Segodnya newspaper.

Yushchenko said that the current economic situation was quite predictable.

"The country, that cannot stabilize prices and currency, cannot expect dynamics in economic growth," he said.

"We should balance the state budget and to use the currency issue (that does not lead to a serious devaluation) to warm up the economy," he said.

Yushchenko said that Ukraine should not be afraid of default on its debt.

"The financing of this year’s budget already envisages the use of international resources. Defaults may occur in the regions, where state institutions took loans," he said.

Ukraine is now on the verge of default. To avoid it Kiev is trying to restructure its $15 bln public debt, which is a precondition for receiving the next tranche from the IMF.

So far the negotiations with creditors on debt restructuring have given no results.

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