Soccer-Ukraine FA president urges action on Euro 2012

KIEV, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Ukraine's top soccer official has called for urgent measures to make up for lost time in preparing for the 2012 European championship following criticism from UEFA President Michel Platini.

Ukrainian FA President Hryhory Surkis said staging the tournament was critical for the ex-Soviet state's development and fast decisions were needed to keep the event's timetable on course.

"It is true that we have lost nine months and everyone knows why -- our authorities have proved slow-moving amid all the circumstances," Surkis told the daily Argumenty i Fakty on Friday.

"But the time-out is over. There can be no more excuses. Let this be clear to everyone -- Ukraine has been given an historic chance. Not a single month, day or hour should now be wasted.

"In the next few weeks, I hope the preparations process will be corrected and everything brought on stream at full capacity. Ukrainians must quickly understand that Euro 2012 can bring us closer to Europe and improve our living standards."

He said stadium construction in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk was proceeding well but in other cities, including the capital Kiev, "we have observed, if not passivity, at the very least a failure to act quickly".

Surkis added that improvements would involve creating a department in every Ukrainian ministry to ensure that preparations for the tournament remained on schedule.

Platini told co-hosts Ukraine and Poland this week that the coming weeks were "crucial" for the tournament schedule. UEFA demanded improved coordination, with government backing of infrastructure improvements including transport and hotels.

President Viktor Yushchenko's backing for the bid last year was critical to its success.