Yulia Tymoshenko: Ukraine Must Keep to Eurointegration Course
The key goals of Ukraine’s foreign policy remain unchanged for the Government, and first of all it is European integration, Yulia Tymoshenko said at yesterday’s meeting with the President of the Republic of Poland, Lech Kaczyński. “We must preserve the European direction of Ukraine’s development,” Yulia Tymoshenko stated.
Lech Kaczyński mentioned that the direction of Ukraine’s development fully depends on the Ukrainian people. “ We strongly support the Eurointegration course of Ukraine. In my opinion, it will be extremely beneficial for Ukraine and it is no secret that the Ukraine's accession to EU is in the Polish interests,” the Polish President underscored.
The parties also discussed the deepening of the strategic partnership of Ukraine with Poland. The Distinguished Guest mentioned that the collaboration with Ukraine is extremely significant for his country. “We shall do everything in our power to continue the bilateral cooperation,” the Head of the Ukrainian Government stressed.
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Yulia Tymoshenko held a meeting with the Vice President of European Commission, EU high Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherin Ashton.
The Prime Minister said that Ukraine must keep to Eurointegration course of development, which starts with building of European values and standards.
The most urgent issue of the Ukraine-EU relations is the negotiation process on Association Agreement. “We positively assess the negotiation results pertaining to the Association Agreement,” the Government Head mentioned.
Creating a free trade zone is a very important element of the Agreement. Ukraine calls for a constructive dialogue to reach agreements on the integration of the Ukrainian economy to the European Economic Community.
Yulia Tymoshenko drew special attention to the positive developments in the implementation of the Agreement on simplified visa regime. The Press Center of the Cabinet of Ministers Secretariat reports that a visa-free regime with EU will be an essential impetus for Ukraine’s development.
In her turn, Catherin Ashton underscored the importance of the meeting with Yulia Tymoshenko: “I highly appreciate the opportunity to meet you and start the dialogue pertaining to the ways European Union can help Ukraine.”
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The Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko positively assesses the Resolution of European Parliament on Kyiv's possible application for EU membership. She stated it during the meeting with the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek.
“I consider it to be a great support for all the aspirations and strategies of Ukraine regarding European Union integration. The long-awaited signal that Kyiv may apply for EU membership is highly important for all Ukrainian citizens,” Yulia Tymoshenko underscored.
The Prime Minister thanked the Distinguished Guest for adopting the corresponding Resolution, which she considers to be a symbolic decision. She also thanked for the support of the Eurointegration aspirations of Ukraine and mentioned that the negotiation process on Association Agreement remains the most urgent issue of the Ukraine-EU relations. The Head of Government mentioned that creating a free trade zone is a very important element of the agreement: Ukraine calls for a constructive dialogue to reach agreements on the integration of the Ukrainian economy to the European Economic Community.
In his turn, the President of the European Parliament said that the fact that delegations of European structures and states came to Kyiv indicates intentions to intensify the Ukraine-EU collaboration. “Your political aims of collaboration with EU are most timely and efficient at the moment,” he said.