STRASBOURG, France, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- President Viktor Yushchenko told European lawmakers Tuesday the Ukraine's top priority is to join the European Union, the Duetsche Welle reported.
Only two days after his inauguration, the newly elected Ukranian president stood before the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe and declared in a 15-minute address: "Our strategic aim, our vision is membership in the European Union."
There has been no offer of accession by the European Union to Ukraine. Although member states have cited significant progress made by Ukraine, most believe talks concerning accession are "premature."
"We want to bring Ukraine closer to the European Union. In a few years we shall see how successful that is," Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU external relations commissioner said according to CNN.
"But I don't think we can recommend premature steps. That would be counter-productive."
