EU's Javier Solana Opens Door to Ukraine

KIEV, Ukraine -- The European Union's foreign policy chief opened the door to eventual Ukraine membership on Friday, and said it was up to president-elect Viktor Yushchenko and his people to work toward joining the trade bloc.

Javier Solana, speaking as officials compiled lists of guests for Yushchenko's Sunday inauguration, said after three hours of talks with the liberal leader that it was conceivable one day for Ukraine to join.

President-elect Yuschenko and EU Boss Solana

Yushchenko, elected after weeks of turmoil in the ex-Soviet state, intends to turn the ceremony into a national holiday — including an address to crowds in Kiev's main square, the epi-center of the Orange Revolution.

"We think Ukraine is making a tremendous effort and is a good friend of the European Union," Solana said after lunch at the president-elect's home.

EU membership, he said, was "a possibility for the Ukrainian people. You have to do the job. You have to have the energy and the mobilization of the country, the reforms necessary to get as close as possible to Europe. Nothing is impossible for Ukraine."

The EU's Executive Commission last week said it had no plans to consider eventual Ukrainian membership despite a vote in the European Parliament urging the Union to boost ties with Ukraine.

Any notions of membership was all but inconceivable under outgoing President Leonid Kuchma, often criticized by the EU.

A statement on Friday by EU Commissioner for External Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who is due to attend the inauguration, said only that Yushchenko's election "have opened the way for a new beginning in the EU-Ukraine relationship."