Ukraine is to Gain a Prospect of EU Membership

STRASBOURG, France -- The strategy of relations between Ukraine and the European Union is to be updated and Ukraine is to gain a prospect of EU membership, the President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko is convinced.

“We welcome the European Union’s aspirations for working out a new strategy of relations with Ukraine. He is confident it should provide for the membership prospect. Proceeding from this point we regard the action plan Ukraine – EU in terms of the European Neighborhood Policy as the first step to achieve this goal,” he has stated addressing the today’s session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.



According to Yushchenko, in the near future Ukraine expects to gain the status of the country with market economy and by the end of 2005 – to join the WTO and sign an agreement on free economic space with EU.

He has also expressed hopes for easing the visa regime between Ukraine and the European Union members, defining it “a very important psychological factor.” “Such initiative as “Europe – non-visa space for country members of the Council of Europe” to be the most convincing proof of united processes on the Continent,” has reported Mr President.

To his mind, the labor migration of Ukrainians to Western Europe will decrease as the quality of life of our citizens improves and “Ukrainians will go to Europe to have a rest, to study and exchange experience,” has told the Ukrainian President.