Yushchenko Wants Ukraine To Quickly Enter EU, WTO

Viktor Yushchenko (file photo) 9 March 2005 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko today called for quick moves aimed at bringing Ukraine into the European Union and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Yushchenko, in a speech to the German lower house of parliament today, said he saw Ukraine in a unified Europe "in the not too distant future."

Speaking after talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Berlin earlier today, Yushchenko said he is "assuming" that the EU will formally define Ukraine as a market economy this year -- a key step towards entering the bloc. He also predicted that Ukraine will be admitted to the WTO this year.

Schroeder said he supports Ukraine's desire for closer economic ties with the EU, but didn't speculate when Ukraine might join the bloc.

(AP/AFP/dpa)