Remarks with Ukrainian President-Elect Viktor Yushchenko

PRESIDENT-ELECT YUSHCHENKO: (in Ukrainian) Dear friends, we have just completed our bilateral negotiations. I would like to thank Secretary of State Mr. Colin Powell for a very productive discussion. I’ve indicated the processes that have occurred in Ukraine over the past two years have definitely been because of Ukraine. And I’ve indicated that I’m particularly happy that I’ve lived until the times when the Ukrainian president is elected not in Moscow, not in Washington, but here in Ukraine. On the other hand, however, the international assistance, the assistance and support from our partners was very essential for enrooting the democratic…the democracy in Ukraine.

I would like to once again thank the Ukrainian side for being so committed to the democratic principles which they have, once again, demonstrated in the context of Ukrainian events.

We also touched upon a number of issues that have to do with activation of Ukrainian efforts toward international integration. This includes: the prospects for Ukraine acquiring market-based economy status; this is the problem that has to do with the World Trade Organization; the problem of Ukrainian goods’ access to U.S. markets; the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, and a good wealth of other issues that included Iraq and other bilateral and international aspects of our relations.

SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you very much, Mr. President-elect. It’s a great pleasure for me to be here on this historic day to share in the joy of the Ukrainian people as a new president is elected, who has been elected on the basis of a free, fair and open election.

President Bush hopes that you will be able to visit the United States in the not-too-distant future, and I will pass on to the President your invitation for him to visit Ukraine. As the President-elect noted, we had a good discussion on all of the bilateral issues between our two nations, but we also talked about broader issues of Euro-Atlantic integration and how Ukraine will be moving to make sure that it becomes a valued member of the Euro-Atlantic communities. And Mr. President, on this very important day, I thank you for taking time to meet with me, and I just want to assure you that you will continue to enjoy the full support of the American government and the American people, as you move forward now to undertake the efforts that the Ukrainian people are expecting.

PRESIDENT-ELECT YUSHCHENKO: Thank you.