President: Ukraine is ready to contribute to building trust and overcoming new threats

Addressing the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, President Viktor Yanukovych stressed that for him it is a great honor to attend this event that is a credible, respected and promising forum.

In his speech President Yanukovych said that last week he had introduced to the Parliament the bill on foundations of domestic and foreign policy that provides active and constructive participation of Ukraine in building mutual trust between states and overcoming traditional and new security threats.

Viktor Yanukovych noted that in order to achieve that, all the prerequisites were created, the main of which is internal political stability.

"New political leadership initiated a program of systemic reforms aimed at fighting poverty and economic growth. It will allow Ukraine to actively contribute to global efforts to combat common challenges.

Ukraine, being an observer, highly appreciates the opportunity of cooperation within the CICA. I would like to emphasize that Ukraine is your good neighbor, friend and reliable partner. Our strategic goal is to bring relations with countries of your region to a new level.

Something has already been done, but there is still much more to do.

We are open to political dialogue and ready to be mediators if needed. We would like to actively participate in implementation of major projects that are discussed in the framework of your forum, such as development of transport corridors and searching for new routes for energy exports from Asia to Europe. After all, the shortest and most reliable transit routes are through Ukraine. We are also ready to contribute in addressing food security issue in the region," said the President.

"Ukraine is interested in substantial deepening of trade and economic relations with Asian states. In this context, I would like to draw your attention to the potential of joint economic projects in the Black Sea region.

Finally, we would like to strengthen cultural, interethnic and interfaith cooperation within the CICA states," said Viktor Yanukovych.

At the end of his speech, President Yanukovych thanked Turkish President Abdullah Gül for hospitality and wished him success in Turkey's future presidency of the conference.