Development of Crimea is separate priority for me - President

"For me, as the President, Crimea is separate priority. For Crimea has special opportunities; for Crimea is interesting not only for the national capital, it is interesting for all of Europe. There is a specific product here not to be found in other European countries", said Victor Yushchenko at the meeting on development of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in Simferopol.

The President urged the Crimean government to develop in every possible way the investment attractiveness of this territory and try its best to solve all the problems investor might face in implementation of investment projects. "Crimea is a special region and it should be two to three steps forward from where it is now in the organization and business", noted the President. "I would like to here more suggestions on how to push forward business development - large medium and small ... ", he said.

President honors memory of Crimean deportation victims

In Simferopol President Victor Yushchenko laid flowers to the memorial to victims of deportation.

President urges the VR to abolish deputy's immunity

President Victor Yushchenko called upon the Parliament to abolish parliamentary immunity, he said at the press conference in Simferopol, making comments on the decision of the Verkhovna Rada to deprive BYuT deputy V. Lozynsky of deputy mandate.

Also Victor Yushchenko noted with disappointment that by depriving V. Lozynsky of his mandate the Verkhovna Rada has in fact fulfilled the appeal of the suspect in serious crime and ignored the submission of the Prosecutor General and of the President requesting revoking the parliamentary immunity of deputies as such. "In essence, the Verkhovna Rada has shirked responsibility by refusing to recognize the clamant fact: the people's deputy is suspected of committing murder", - emphasized the President.

President - Crimea would benefit from the Eastern Partnership project

President Victor Yushchenko stressed that Crimea has a unique opportunity to become the first object of pilot programs for regional development within the framework of EU's Eastern Partnership.
"I would like to see Crimea take its rightful place in the project", said the President of Ukraine at the meeting on the development of Crimea, he held today in Simferopol.

Victor Yushchenko stressed that with start of Eastern Partnership Ukraine, together with five other countries, was provided with an instrument to realize potential and opportunities of its regions.

According to the President, several months ago through the working instrument of European Neighborhood Policy Ukraine has started a dialogue with the European Union on a separate program for the economic development of Crimea, which the EU would soon consider.

He also said that some projects are analyzed in the European Investment Bank, EBRD, World Bank and other international financial institutions.

Victor Yushchenko also informed that in accordance with the agreement with European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner Crimean delegation would visit Brussels from 16 to 18 July and hold talks on economic development of Crimea. "In addition to national business we should invite foreign capital to development of Crimea", - said Victor Yushchenko

President lays flowers to the Unknown Soldier's Tomb in Simferopol

President Victor Yushchenko took part in the ceremony of laying flowers at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Simferopol.

Other participants of the ceremony were Secretary of National Security and Defense Council, Raisa Bohatyryova, Autonomous Republic of Crimea Parliament Speaker Anatoly Hrytsenko, Crimean Crimean Council of Ministers Chairman Viktor Plakyda, Representative of the President in Crimea Leonid Zhunko, Minister for Education and Science Ivan Vakarchuk, Minister for Culture Vasyl Vovkun, Health Minister Vasyl Knyazevych, Minister for Family Yuriy Pavlenko, Minister for Environment Protection Georgiy Filipchuk, Minister for Emergencies

President holds phone talks with Swedish PM

President Victor Yushchenko phone conversation with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden Fredrik Reinfeldt.

President Yushchenko congratulated Prime Minister Reinfeldt on the beginning of Sweden's presidency over the European Union. The President praised the fact that the deepening of cooperation between the EU and Ukraine was identified by Sweden as one of the priorities of its presidency.

Also sides have discussed development of negotiations on the Association and Free Trade agreements between Ukraine and the EU, prospects of the Eastern Partnership, liberalization of visa regulations and energy security.

President meets CPPCC National Committee Vice Chairman

President Victor Yushchenko met today with Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee Vice Chairman Mr. Wan Gang.

Victor Yushchenko noted that Ukraine puts great importance in development of comprehensive mutually beneficial cooperation with China and appreciates the level of mutual understanding and trust between the two countries.

The President positively assessed the dynamics of trade and economic cooperation as well as pointed to progress in negotiations on development of military-technical cooperation. Also he said that Ukrainian side seeks to effectively use the potential of bilateral economic, scientific and humanitarian cooperation.

President Yushchenko also pointed to Ukraine's interest in intensification of investment cooperation with China, particularly in participation of Chinese capital in implementation of large infrastructure projects in Ukraine, especially in preparation to EURO 2012.

During the meeting sides also discussed international security and nuclear non-proliferation, political dialogue between the states, including at the highest level, etc.