Ukraine's Yushchenko In Paris To Strengthen Ties With EU

PARIS, France -- Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko met French business leaders Wednesday before talks with his French counterpart, Jacques Chirac, aimed at strengthening ties with the European Union and attracting investment into the ex-Soviet republic.

French President Jacques Chirac (R) welcomes his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yushchenko to the Elysee Palace in Paris
During a two-day visit that started Tuesday, Yushchenko was to meet with Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and hold a series of consultations with French energy companies.

The visit was Yushchenko's second since winning last year's bitter presidential election.

Yushchenko has made joining the European Union and NATO long-term goals for his nation of 47 million, which for centuries has fallen largely under Moscow's sway.

"The cornerstone of our policy is to join the European Union," Yushchenko said in a speech Tuesday at the French Institute of International Relations, or IFRI. He said the government was committed to the "enormous work" required to make the country eligible for E.U. candidacy.

The Ukrainian leader is also pushing for membership in the World Trade Organization by the end of the year. Last week, French Foreign Minister Philip Douste-Blazy pledged his country's support for Ukraine's bid during a visit to Kiev.

While in France, Yushchenko was expected to participate in 60th anniversary celebrations for UNESCO, the U.N. cultural agency.

Source: AP