The Hindu : International : Ukraine must move toward West: Premier

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 06, 2005

International

International

Ukraine must move toward West: Premier

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, FEB. 5. Ukraine's Yulia Tymoshenko won unanimous approval as Prime Minister on Friday, vowing to lead the country into the European Union while maintaining close ties with Russia.

The Parliament voted 373-0 on Friday to endorse the President, Viktor Yushchenko's choice for the head of his Cabinet.

"Russia is Ukraine's first and most important partner, but our path lies in moving toward Europe," Ms. Timoshenko said in her address to Parliament.

National strategy

"We must draw up and approve a national strategy of European integration to create the basis for becoming a full-fledged member of the European Union."

Ms. Timoshenko (44), was the moving spirit of protests that broke out in Kiev following the victory of the former Prime Minister, Viktor Yanukovich, in presidential election last November. The so-called "orange revolution" led to the annulment by court of Mr. Yanukovich's victory and the holding of a re-vote which was won by the Opposition leader, Mr. Yushchenko.

Presenting her programme in Parliament, Ms. Timoshenko promised to raise living standards, fight corruption and separate business from power. However, the programme was short on detail as to how she plans to achieve her goals.

For his part, Mr. Yushchenko restated his pledges to review privatisation deals conducted in suspicious circumstances. "Assets that were stolen must be returned to the State," the President said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section