Ukraine supports continuation of EU enlargement process, says Yanukovych

Kyiv supports the further enlargement of the European Union, with the inclusion of Ukraine into common European political and economic space, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said at the 18th Summit of heads of state of Central Europe.

"We believe that an important tool to overcome the current crisis is the continuation of the enlargement process, which envisages the inclusion of Ukraine into the common European political and economic space," the president said.

"The full-fledged integration of Ukraine into the EU provides untapped potential for economic growth in Europe, for enhancing European stability and security," Yanukovych said.

The president noted that Europessimism, which due to the crisis on the continent has affected many in the European Union, has barely touched Ukrainian society.

"The faith of Ukrainians in a United Europe and the desire to eventually become a full participant has not been shaken. The European Union for us today is an example of a political, economic and social success. And not only an example, but also a catalyst of the system of social and economic reforms, which are currently being carried out in Ukraine," the head of state said.

At the same time, Yanukovych said: "The United Europe is a civilizational and historical choice of Ukraine." He also said such a choice is supported by Ukrainian society, and the vast majority of the main political forces in the country.

The head of state said he was convinced that the shortest path to that goal is through pragmatism and hard work.

"This includes joint projects in the field of economy and investment, the development of regional and cross-border cooperation. This is the Danube, the Black Sea, the Baltic and the Adriatic Sea. This is the energy security, on which depends the well-being of the whole of Europe, the transport infrastructure, connecting East and West, North and South of the continent. These are educational, scientific and cultural exchanges, tourism and the development of direct contacts and friendly relations between our citizens and between our peoples," Yanukovych said.