Yuschenko has no doubts about the EU perspective of Ukraine

"I am optimistic about the European perspective of Ukraine. Actually, I have no doubt about it" - said Victor Yuschenko, President of Ukraine, during his welcome word on the ceremony of official opening of 4th annual YES meeting.

Besides President of Ukraine said that in relations of Ukraine and EU it is important that all parties recognize common rules. According to Yuschenko a great part of the way Ukraine has to do alone. President noted that that Ukraine is expected to demonstrate a new quality of the implementation of the rule of law and of dealing many other issues that concern European tradition. By the words of Yuschenko political forces in Ukraine has to go a long way. "A way to Europe is not a park stroll", President said.

Ukraine and Ukrainians has to release that much depends on a new quality of democracy. New quality of implementation of the rule of law, of the freedom of press and many other things that are inherent in the European political culture. Those are the steps Ukraine has to make. She is not require but expected of many changes", said President.

Besides, said President, "Ukraine would like further consolidation of our partners in the West around issues of Ukraine's integration into the EU. Ukraine needs friends".

Most vulnerable point in relations between Ukraine and the EU is goal setting. Yuschenko said that negotiations on enhanced agreement on cooperation between Ukraine and EU are continuing. President noted that Ukraine needs this document to fix the EU perspective of Ukraine. He emphasized that need not state date of Ukraine's accession to the EU. He also said that Ukraine wants to see a clear action plan on the part of the EU. "Action plan has to be enhanced with actual steps and tens of small mutual victories", he said.

YES is an independent organization, which brings together high-level participants in Ukraine, and internationally: policy-makers, business leaders, thinkers, researchers and journalists.
The YES Board includes competitive public and political figures from Europe - Dr. Mario David - Member of Parliament, Portugal, Vice-president of the EPP, Alexandr Kwasniewski - President of Poland (1995 - 2005), Founder of YES, Victor Pinchuk, Marek Siwiec - Member of the European Parliament, Alexander Rahr - Programm Director, Körber Center, German Council on Foreign Relations, Jean-Pierre Saltiel - President (1998-2004), Rothschild Conseil Internationa, Stéphane Fouks - CEO France of Euro RSCG Worldwide. Rt. Hon. Stephen Byers - Member of Parliament, UK; Chairman of the Board of YES.

The annual YES summits in Yalta have become the leading informal high-level forum focused on discussing and development of political recommendations. In 2006, the YES experts developed an analytical document "Agenda-2020", representing a step-by-step strategy for Ukraine's accession to the European Union in 2020. YES was created at the initiative of a Ukrainian businessman and public figure, Victor Pinchuk in spring 2004.