President appreciates his visit to British

In London, Victor Yushchenko said he was pleased with his visit to the United Kingdom, President's press office reported.

“My most important conclusion is that Ukraine and Great Britain have entered a new phase of relations,” he said.

The Head of State added that he meant a “qualitatively different level of relations.”

Speaking about his London meetings, Yushchenko noted that he primarily discussed ways for Ukraine to get a market economy status.

“This subject is mainly economic but it also remains partly political,” he said. “Ukraine will soon hear good news from the EU and our European partners.”

The President also informed journalists that in London he had discussed Ukraine’s WTO membership. He reminded all that Ukraine had started to consider this issue only in the second quarter of 2005, but Yushchenko is convinced that the country will achieve positive results.

“If we mobilize government, parliament and diplomatic efforts, Ukraine will join the organization this December,” he stressed.

Yushchenko said he had also discussed ways to liberalize visa requirements for Ukrainians.

“We have been heard,…., so will be able to see mutual concessions in this and other issues,” he opined.

The Head of State said he had discussed Ukrainian-British relations. Yushchenko believes they are developing quite dynamically but, to speak about continuous progress, “we should legally regulate” relations between the two countries.

Yushchenko also appreciated his yesterday’s meeting with Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II. He said it was “seminal” for Ukraine.

“I think it was Ukraine Day in London and Great Britain yesterday,” said the President.