Ukraine to become EU member within 5 years, Tymoshenko believes

Prime Minister and presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko believes Ukraine’s main foreign policy priority should be membership in the European Union.

"My guiding principle for Ukraine’s foreign policy is very concise: 'EU-YES'. We are an organic, historical, geographical and cultural part of Europe. We do not need to return to Europe, because we never mentally left it. Ukraine is Europe, and Europe will have to reckon with this fact," Yulia Tymoshenko said in an interview in the Lviv newspaper "Express."

According to the Prime Minister, the issue of Ukraine’s full integration into European structures is only a matter of time. "And this time isn’t measured in decades. I think that Ukraine will become a full-fledged member of the European Union very soon."

She recalled that "when Europe was only getting up on its feet, Kyiv already had Europe's largest library, and alumni of medieval Ukrainian universities "were valued as much as graduates of Harvard and Oxford today. We are Europeans."

Speaking at a press conference Yulia Tymoshenko said once again she hopes that Ukraine will gain membership of the European Union within the next five years. Tymoshenko said that she sets the goal of signing an agreement on political association with the EU and a free trade area agreement in 2010.

ForUm

Discuss news in the Forum

One-line news

11:56 Due to unfavorable airport weather conditions, President Viktor Yanukovych's visit to Volyn region has been posponed.

11:55 President Viktor Yanukovych has instructed Prime Minister Mykola Azarov to provide for the preparation and publication of a number of regulations required by the new Customs Code of Ukraine.

15 May 2012

16:10 President Viktor Yanukovych has arrived in Moscow, Russia on a working visit. In Moscow, President Yanukovych will take part in an informal summit of the CIS and meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Read all news →

News

22 May 2012

17:20 Foreign Ministry: Ukraine still hopes to host Central European summit

16:31 NBU governor: State debt of Ukraine down to 36% of GDP

16:05 EU: We have never declared boycott of Euro-2012 in Ukraine

15:37 Europe to finance exit-polls during parliamentary elections in Ukraine

15:07 Party of Regions is looking for votes to adopt the law on languages

14:54 Cabinet to control closely the food quality for children

14:48 PM Azarov urges to modernize the system of children's camps

14:15 Yanukovych: Continuous investing in Ukraine proves successful government policy

13:57 President: Ukraine should maintain constant dialogue with Ukrainians abroad

13:41 Azarov: Apartment block can be built within 6-8 months

12:53 Odessa opens first in Ukraine diplomatic club

12:35 Ukraine to supply Saudi Arabia with barley

12:12 Moscow assures it does not obstruct activity of Ukrainian organizations

11:45 German doctor: Tymoshenko’s full recovery could take six months

11:32 First batches of Ukrainian cheese arrived in Russia

All news

Top

Editorial staff:english@for-ua.com
Republication or redistribution of ForUm content, including by framing or similar means,
is allowed with the reference to en.for-ua.com only.
All rights are reserved by © LTD. Inter-Media, ForUm 2001-2012