Monday, March 1, 2010

"President: For Ukraine European integration is key priority of foreign policy, and the strategy of systematic socio-economic reforms


"For Ukraine European integration is key priority of foreign policy, and the strategy of systematic socio-economic reforms", he said after the meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. 

The President noted that during his meeting with Mr. Barroso parties confirmed maturity of Ukraine as a European state, particularly demonstrated during the presidential campaign. 

According to Viktor Yanukovych during the meeting sides have dedicated special attention to question of resuming cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and bringing the economy of Ukraine in a "working condition". 

The President of Ukraine stressed that in this context Kyiv expects appropriate support of the European Union concerning provision of macro-financial assistance. 

Viktor Yanukovych also stressed that during the meeting sides have identified priority areas of cooperation: "We agree that the key challenge is to continue negotiations on signature of the Association Agreement, including establishment of a comprehensive free trade area. 

In addition, he said, Ukraine counts on development of the dialogue on visa-free travel for Ukrainian citizens too the EU countries. "We reached agreement that the"road map" to be worked out soon, will be implemented in the nearest future, already this year", he said. 

Viktor Yanukovych said that Ukraine is ready to fulfill its obligations in the subject of uninterrupted supply of gas to European consumers, and to achieve this goal Kyiv would try to improve partner relations with Russia. 

In Brussels Viktor Yanukovych also said about willingness of Ukraine to develop the internal gas market. "We believe that it is necessary to develop gas market, and we are ready to adopt a law on domestic gas market ... It also will strengthen the confidence in us in the East and in the West", he said. 

Answering questions of journalists the President of Ukraine said that at his meeting with Mr. Barroso parties sides aimed to ensure that relations between Ukraine and the EU have become more transparent, reliable, and that "bilateral obligations we are taking upon ourselves were always kept to".