Ukraine, Poland talked about development of mutual relations

At his meeting with Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk, President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych said: our state has great expectations in connection with the future presidency of Poland in the European Union, which begins in the second half of 2011. 

"European integration remains an unchanged priority of our country’s foreign policy. Of course, we expect that during the presidency of Poland in the EU in the second half of this year we will be seeking a joint decision regarding Ukraine's integration into the EU," Viktor Yanukovych said, presidential press office reported. 

At the beginning of the meeting, the President stressed Ukraine’s support to the friendly Polish people in the sorrowful days of marking the first anniversary of the plane crash which killed President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others.

Viktor Yanukovych praised the development of "friendly and trustful" Ukrainian-Polish dialogue at the highest level. He particularly stressed that Ukraine will gladly welcome the President of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski at the international conference on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, underscoring also the importance of this event in view of the recent accident at the Fukushima I NPP in Japan. 

"The whole world has once again received evidence that only by joint efforts of the public and governments of many countries it is possible to manage the consequences of such disasters," Viktor Yanukovych said. 

He also reminded that this year Ukraine celebrates the 20^th anniversary of independence and the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Poland. 

"Thanks to joint work of the two Governments, 2010 was a successful year for our countries in terms of economic relations," Viktor Yanukovych said, adding that bilateral trade and national economies have grown both. 

"It raises hope in the near future," the Ukrainian President said. 

For his part, the Prime Minister of Poland called his current visit to Ukraine yet another manifestation of good relations between our countries. He thanked the Ukrainian side for the words of support and solidarity in the days of commemorating those killed in the plane crash near Smolensk. 

Speaking about the Chornobyl accident, Donald Tusk, said: "It was the first practical lesson of globalization... we realized then that we share responsibility for this planet. So what happens in the territories of some states cannot remain of no influence on the others." 

Donald Tusk agreed with Viktor Yanukovych on the positive dynamics of trade and economic relations between our countries. 

The Prime Minister of Poland said that Ukraine could always count on the support of its Polish friends. 

"I am sure the coming years will confirm: our optimism and the faith of the Ukrainian and the Polish people in themselves have meaning," Donald Tusk said.