UNITED NATIONS, September 22 (Itar-Tass) — Thirty four thousand Ukrainian servicemen and policemen have taken part in more than twenty U.N. peacekeeping operations since Ukraine proclaimed its independence twenty years ago.

“Ukraine actively participates in the U.N. efforts aimed at maintaining international peace and security,” Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovic said in his speech at the 66th session of the U.N. General Assembly.

“Ukraine is convinced that the United Nations peacekeeping activities should be reformed with an aim to strengthen their possibilities and liquidate the existing shortcomings,” Yanukovich said.

Ukraine believes that the United Nations should make aviation used in peacekeeping operations more flexible and mobile and should strengthen legal protection of “blue berets”.

Yanukovich thanked the U.N. member countries for their support of Ukraine’s peacekeeping initiatives.