You're reading: Yanukovych: Ukraine chooses Europe, will join EU in 10 years

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said that Ukraine has taken an unequivocal choice in its foreign policy – drawing closer to Europe, the Ukrainian president has said in an exclusive article for the Dzerkalo Tyzhnia Ukraine (Mirror Weekly Ukraine) newspaper.

"Despite the difficulties, a major step has been taken: we have finally decided on our future. The European choice has become the basis of Ukraine’s foreign policy identity. European values have become the foundation of our development," the online version of the newspaper quoted Yanukovych as saying.

"We’re confident that the Association Agreement and the establishment of a deep and comprehensive free trade area are what both Ukraine and the European Union need today. We hope that our European partners will understand this," the president said.

"Ukraine not only wants to be a European country. This geographical fact does not need any proof. We want to join the great European project – the construction of a united Europe based on values of freedom, democracy and law," the president said.

However, Ukraine has realized that its progress on the path to joining the EU is impossible without good relations with Russia, Yanukovych said.

"The years of independence have indisputably proved that such relations are possible only on the basis of the strict observance of a bilateral balance of national interests and mutual respect. The state and its leaders will do everything in their power to create such a balance," he said.

The head of state also stressed the importance of relations with the United States and China. According to him, Ukraine will continue to develop cooperation with NATO and other institutions on the issues of security in Europe.

"National pragmatism, based on the interests of Ukrainian citizens, is our guideline in building relations with other countries," Yanukovych said.

"We know what to do, and know how to achieve this. We have outlined the development strategy and we have sufficient political will to implement it. A European, democratic wealthy Ukraine, a free state, where a person feels protected, is our goal, and we will achieve it… This goal unites all Ukrainians, regardless of political tastes or faith. There is no other way to achieve it but to conduct a comprehensive modernization of the country. We hope for the support of all Europeans on this path," the president said.

"Time will pass, and in ten years or so Ukraine will be in the European Union, entering the circle of developed countries. I’m sure of it," Yanukovych said.

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