Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk has said that Kiev aims to join the EU as a full member by 2015, and added that his country was not pursuing a status similar to that devised by the EU for the states in northern Africa and the southern Caucasus region. Tarasyuk said that he would press for a formal application by Kiev for EU membership before the end of 2006. Ukraine also aims to join NATO by 2008.
However, so far the EU has ruled out membership for Ukraine. As part of the Union's plan for closer relations with Kiev, Ukraine was granted market economy status in 2005 and negotiations are underway on a visa accord.
Speaking in Kiev during her visit, External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said that the European neighbourhood framework provided a chance for Ukraine to move closer to the EU. This, she said, "does not prejudge the future."
Also in Kiev, Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik reiterated that "Ukraine is an esteemed partner in the framework of the European neighbourhood policy." She added that "we are working together on an ever closer network of relations."
Ukraine is preparing to hold parliamentary elections on 26 March.
