Ukraine reinforces its commitment to EU

Viktor Yuschenko was sworn in as president of Ukraine
on 23 January. The implementation of a new set of actions aiming
to bring Ukraine closer to the EU is scheduled to begin in
February.

The inauguration of Ukraine’s new pro-Western President Viktor
Yuschenko follows a final ruling on 19 January by
Ukraine’s Supreme Court declaring him the winner over his
Russia-backed rival Viktor Yanukovych (see also EURACTIV 11 January
2005). 

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU’s external relations
commissioner, and Javier Solana, the EU’s foreign policy chief,
were among the high-level politicians attending the
ceremony. Among the other foreign guests
were outgoing US Secretary of State Colin Powell and the
President of Poland Alexsander Kwasniewski.

“Our place is in the European Union,” said the new president,
well-known for his European aspirations, in a speech to the
public.

The EU’s ties with Ukraine come within the framework of the
European Neighbourhood Policy whose objective is to build good
relations with the EU’s near-neighbours where EU membership is
currently not on the table. The action plan, negotiated
with Ukraine, was launched in December. 

At the request of the December European Council, the
Commission and Council are currently preparing a set of proposals
which will be discussed on 31 January at the External
Relations Council. These will aim to prepare Ukraine for WTO
membership, [a pre-condition for a possible free trade area (see
also EURACTIV 18 January 2005)], deal with visa
facilitation and foster discussions on energy, transport and the
environment – paving the way for Ukraine to co-operate in
some Community programmes.

The EU-Ukraine Co-operation Council is scheduled
to endorse the plans on 21 February.

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