EU Membership a Priority for Ukraine

Ljubljana, 4 June

EU membership is a key priority for Ukraine, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said after a meeting his Slovenian counterpart Danilo Tuerk on Wednesday. Slovenia supports Ukraine's efforts to join the bloc, Tuerk said.

Yushchenko said Ukraine had a lot of homework, which will take some time. "We are not talking about a time frame, we are talking about a goal," he said, stressing that the EU should "light a beacon on a remote island".
Ukraine wants clear criteria for membership and it is embarking on the European path with responsible steps, said Yushchenko, who is pleased with the current talks on a new partnership and cooperation agreement with the EU.
In March 2007 the EU and Ukraine launched talks on a new accord that would integrate Ukraine more tightly in the bloc's neighbourhood policy, but does not talk about the country's prospects of becoming a full-fledged member of the EU.
Tuerk believes that Ukraine's EU membership would strengthen the bloc on the global stage. Everything that leads to full-fledged membership enjoys Slovenia's support, he said.
Ukraine is also seeking to join NATO, but it has encountered strong opposition from neighbour Russia.
Just today the Russian parliament urged President Dmitry Medvedev to rescind the bilateral Agreement on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership if Ukraine moves towards full-fledged NATO membership.
Yushchenko said that Ukraine has been friendly in relations with Russia and that a revision of the agreement would be a mistake.
Ukraine has been looking towards the EU and NATO since 2003. This is a strategic goal which is not targeted against any third or neighbouring country, he said.
Yushchenko also held talks with Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who congratulated Ukraine on its recent entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The president thanked Slovenia for its support for Ukraine's EU aspirations, with Jansa saying that the support would continue, according to the prime minister's office.
On the margins of the visit the two countries signed agreements on the exchange of classified information and on development cooperation.

EU Membership a Priority for Ukraine

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