Yushchenko sees Ukraine in EU

Ukraine’s opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko wants the EU to
modify its approach to his country and aims to bring Kiev into the
Union in the long run.

According to Yushchenko, who is considered the favourite to win
the country’s rerun presidential elections on 26 December, Ukraine
has become a “different country” and Ukrainians a “different
people” since the disputed late November first election round.
Talking to the Financial Times, Yushchenko said that
in response to the democratic processes happening in Ukraine today
his country “is waiting for real concrete […] analogous steps
from the European Union”.

In Yushchenko’s view, Ukraine’s European integration should
occur through the implementation of a four-point plan. Accordingly,
Ukraine should be recognised as a market economy; the country
should join the World Trade Organisation; Kiev should first become
an associate member of the EU; and finally the country should join
the Union as a full member.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he would be
“pleased” to see Ukraine’s admission to the EU. According to the
Itar-Tass news agency, Putin said that “if Ukraine wants
to enter the EU, and the EU wants to admit it, that can only make
us happy”.

The EU, however, does not appear to be ready to offer
prospective membership to Ukraine. According to the proposed
EU-Ukraine Action Plan presented by Commissioner Benita
Ferrero-Waldner on 9 December, the aim is “for the EU and Ukraine
to develop an increasingly close relationship, going beyond
co-operation, to gradual economic integration and a deepening of
political cooperation”. Ukraine has not yet applied for EU
membership.

“Our position has not changed. Membership is not on the agenda,”
said a Commission spokeswoman.

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