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Ukraine and Poland have backed the equal distribution of Euro 2012 matches between their countries despite UEFA's refusal so far to endorse three Ukrainian cities for the event.

The prime ministers of the two countries, at a meeting in the Ukrainian capital, said they backed longstanding plans to have matches in the tournament staged in four cities in each of the two countries.

"Our meeting today is not just about getting things right and co-ordinating our programmes and actions in terms of having four cities in each country stage Euro 2012," Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko (pictured right) said.

"It is aimed at showing that we are a single team and we will act jointly right to the end."

The economic crisis buffeting Ukraine, she said, would have no effect on preparations and construction at Kiev's Olympic stadium - whose plans to stage the final have been called into question by UEFA - was proceeding normally.

Polish Prime Minster Donald Tusk (left) added: "We fully support our Ukrainian colleague Yulia Tymoshenko in calling for the plan of four cities in each country. This is our joint position and I believe UEFA will support it."

A UEFA meeting in May approved four Polish cities to hold matches for the final - Warsaw, Poznan, Wroclaw and Gdansk.

Kiev was the sole Ukrainian city approved, but its staging of the final was made contingent on completion of construction.

Three other Ukrainian cities - Lviv, Donetsk and Kharkov - must be confirmed at a UEFA meeting on November 30 along with Kiev's right to stage the final.

UEFA President Michel Platini told the May meeting that there were "huge infrastructure problems" in Ukraine.

These include regional transport networks and suitable accommodation for a huge influx of fans.

Ukraine and Poland were chosen as co-hosts in 2007.

Platini and other UEFA officials have said the tournament will not be withdrawn from either country but have suggested the distribution of cities hosting matches could be altered.

Reuters