President gives interview to BBC World

In an interview with the BBC’s Helen Fawkes on Monday, President Victor Yushchenko talked about domestic issues, particularly Ukraine's early parliamentary election on September 30. He expressed confidence the ballot would be held in a democratic and transparent manner, president's press office reported.

When asked about plans by Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych’s Regions Party to hold a national referendum on the country’s NATO membership and second official language, the president said these initiatives were “inserted into the election campaign” and would have “no legal effect.”