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Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very happy I can address your conference in Yalta, which brings together politicians, journalists, thinkers and practitioners from many countries of the world, but it also brings closer together Ukraine and the European Union. Over the past year Yalta European Strategy became the biggest international meeting place of those who see Ukraine's future closely tied up with a United Europe. The European Parliament, during the last historic term, has also opened up for our Eastern neighbors, most notably for Ukraine. Thanks to hard work of many of my colleagues our House became a very friendly place for Ukrainian politicians, a place where ideas and experiences are exchanged for the benefit of all. I am very proud that my colleagues and I were present on Maidan during the Orange Revolution, where we witnessed great determination and stamina of the Ukrainian people. We all stood up then for human rights and democracy. Today, this obligation is no smaller - we are still for these ideals -the very foundations of the European Union. I am referring to these historic events because this year Ukrainians will elect their president. The importance of this development goes without saying. But at this occasion I want to express my great hope that these elections will become a festival of democracy and will bring Ukraine closer to the European Union. I wish you much success in your deliberations; hope you will conclude your conference with optimism and energy for further work. With all my heart I am with you. Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament
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