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EU integration key vector of Ukraine’s development, Yanukovich says

"Ukraine is making its contribution to the greater Europe project," the Ukrainian President stated at the UN General Assebly session

Photo EPA/Brendan McDermid/POOL

Photo EPA/Brendan McDermid/POOL

UNITED NATIONS, September 25 (Itar-Tass) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich has said that “Ukraine’s European aspirations are the key vector of the country’s development.” He made this statement at the general debate of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

“Ukraine is making its contribution to the greater Europe project, which brings together the interests and development goals of the countries of the west and east of the continent,” Yanukovich stressed. “I believe that the signing this November of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union, together with the creation of a comprehensive and deep free trade area will be an important tool for improving the well-being of Ukrainian citizens and, therefore, will contribute to our country’s Millennium Development Goals,” Yanukovich added.

The fundamental vector of Ukraine’s development is the implementation of the European integration process, President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovich said.

“The coming signing of an agreement on associated EU membership and the creation of a free trade area with the EU member states are the most important tools to improve the welfare of citizens,” said Yanukovich.

Ukraine’s most important tasks are to raise the level of the national healthcare system, improve the maternity conditions and the fight against poverty, the president said.

He emphasized the need to strengthen European energy security. This topic is closely related to the environment and social security of the states of the “old continent.” To effectively address these challenges, Kiev takes an active part in the work of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). He said that the OSCE also plays an important role in the settlement of conflicts in Europe and in the fight against crime.

“It is necessary to deepen the cooperation between the UN and OSCE,” Viktor Yanukovich stressed.

The president of Ukraine called for overcoming the Syrian crisis by peaceful means. “We welcome the plan for Russia and the United States for the transfer of Syria’s chemical weapons under international supervision with a view to its further destruction,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Viktor Yanukovich believes that a “stagnation of the negotiation process” has occurred in the UN Security Council. He called for the continuation of the reform of this largest international organization, which corresponds to the “legitimate interests of all regional groups, including the East European.”

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