Ukraine to be member of EU - Yushchenko

In an interview with Pravda, Slovakia’s second-largest and most influential daily, on Tuesday, President Victor Yushchenko talked about how to develop Ukraine’s ties with Slovakia, especially in the energy sector, according to the President`s press-office.

When asked whether Ukraine was closer to the EU after its September 30 parliamentary election, Yushchenko said the vote had been held in a democratic manner, describing this fact as an “important step in the context of Ukraine’s European aspirations.”

Speaking of visa relations between Ukraine and the European Union, he said: “I would like visa, trade, capital and service flow regulations and procedures to be as less painful as possible. […] The EU must spare no effort to make the number of its partners grow, and I am not speaking here only about its formal partners,” he said, expressing confidence “Ukraine will be a member of the EU." "It is only a matter of time.”