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Yuschenko's election platform promises visa-free travel with EU, not mentioning NATO membership

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Nov. 23, 2009, 3:53 p.m. | Politics — by Interfax-Ukraine
Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko, who is running for a second term in office, has said that his aim is to gain European Union membership for Ukraine. "Ukrainian citizens will appreciate the benefits of the European direction. Ukrainians will be able to travel to EU member-states without visas, and their rights will be protected abroad," according to Yushchenko's election platform dubbed "A Free, Fair and Strong Ukraine" which has been published on the Central Election Commission's Web site.

The program has no clause about Ukraine's membership of NATO. It states, however, that together with its European neighbors, Ukraine will strengthen the Euro-Atlantic system of collective security.

The incumbent president also promised that Ukraine will comply with all its obligations and will be striving for reciprocity from its partners.

"The Black Sea fleet of the Russian Federation will be withdrawn from the country by 2017 according to the Constitution of Ukraine and the relevant accords," the document reads.

Yushchenko also said he intends to hold an active dialog with all of Ukraine's neighbors based on the principles of equal rights, good neighborly relations and mutual trust.
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Anonymous Nov. 24, 2009, 1:46 a.m.    

The key to EU integration and free visa regime is political stability

Yushcheko has done more to set back Ukraine EU integration then any other individual. He has been in office for five years and in that time he has achieved nothing but division. His support rating slumped from 52% in 2005 to below 4% in 2009. Once nominated for a Nobel Prize , US President Barack Obama would not meet with him when he visited the US on September. 83% of Ukrainians say they will not vote for his re-election. He has betrayed Ukraine and all those who supported his election. His actions and policies are undemocratic He is a failed President who does not deserve a second chance or re-election.

His own party is standing four candidates in this election and will not back him.

He has put at risk the long term health and safety of not only Ukraine but also Europe by selling out to the tobacco lobby and taken money from them to fund his election campaign in return for his decision to veto the proposed increase in tobacco taxation.

His proposed constitutional reforms, if implemented, would see Ukraine revert back to a Presidential autocracy and move away from becoming a Parliamentary democracy.

Yushchenko will not be re-elected, his reign of destabilization and terror will come to an end. 53 days to go.

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Anonymous Nov. 24, 2009, 1:52 a.m.    

The Constitution of Ukraine allows for the retention of the Black sea fleet. More false statements from Ukraine's deposed despot President. Yushchenko wants to invoke a civil war against Russia and in the process single the start of the next third world war. Good musty prevail over evil and Yushchenko must be removed from office. Ukraine needs a head of state that it can trust. Someone who represent all of Ukraine and not the lunatic right wing fringe. He is now considered to be the worlds least supported head of state. History will record Yushchenko as a lost cause.

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Anonymous Nov. 24, 2009, 2:23 a.m.    

More lies from the Australian clown. The constitution prohibits foreign armies from being stationed on Ukrainian soil. Learn to read trenchmouth.

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Anonymous Nov. 24, 2009, 9:30 a.m.    

Right on! And also Kuban is ethnically Ukrainian so we should annex it and then Russia will not have any place on the Black Sea for their rusting boats. Maybe they can park their precious fleet in newly liberated Abkhazia.

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Anonymous Nov. 24, 2009, 9:40 a.m.    

I don't care who occupies what, if Ukraine takes over the entire Russia (plus Belarus and other Russian lands) and all people will elect normal head of the State, not western criminal, like Yushenok, then all will benefit big time not only from economic growth and stability, but from cultural revival. And, of course, the Capital will be Kiev, the Mother of all Russian cities.

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Anonymous Nov. 24, 2009, 4:05 p.m.    

You're right! Really Moscow is not any "third Rome" but it is Kiev, cradle of Slavic Orthodox Christianity and indeed mother of all Russia, Belorusian, and Ukrainian cities.

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Anonymous Nov. 24, 2009, 8:56 p.m.    

Article 17 of the constitution of Ukraine states the following:

"The location of foreign military bases in the territory of Ukraine shall not be permitted."

Posted for those who like to make up there own version of the constitution.

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