The Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has completed his first official visit to France today. Having met with the President Nicolas Sarkozy, Prime Minister Francois Fillion and the head of the National Assembly Bernard Accoyer, the Ukrainian leader has reassured that EU integration remains his country's key strategic goal. "One for all, all for one", according to the Ukrainian President, should become not only a principle within the European Union, but also one for the whole European continent. The Ukrainian Head of State made this statement in the meeting with the French political and research circles today at the French Institute of International Relations.
The main outcome of the visit of the Ukrainian President is France's strategic support for Ukraine's closer integration into the European Union. The parties have signed the Road Map for the development of bilateral relations, which provides for numerous initiatives of closer cooperation. At the same time, according to the French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Ukraine's EU integration is not to contradict closer relations with Russia.
Moreover, the cooperation within the triangle "Russia-Ukraine-EU" is viable not only in the energy supply related issues, but also on the scale of Common Economic Space between Europe and Russia - the idea which Nicolas Sarkozy first put forward at the 63rd UN Assembly in September of 2008.
On the business side, the Ukrainian leader has also given the answer to the main concern of the European business community about Ukrainian Kryvorizhstal steel giant, owned by the Arcelor-Mittal.
Speaking on this case the Ukrainian President has pledged that there will be no re-privatisation, so the ownership rights of the biggest foreign investor in the Ukrainian economy will not be breached. The Ukrainian President is predicting the stand-off with the State Property Fund will be resolved in the nearest future by means of negotiations with the Ukrainian Government.
Source: Press Office of the President of Ukraine
