EU Parliament ECR Group vicePresident Zahradil to EuroFora: For Ukraine's EU Accession if Kiev wants

Ukraine could find support if it wishes to enter the EU, or to have closer relations, including, perhaps, on Military Transport Airplane cooperation with Antonov, but all this depends on the sovereign decision of the Ukranian People, replied the vice-President of EU Parliament's EuroConservative/Reformist Group, MEP Jan Zahradil, Head of the Czech delegation to an "EuroFora"s topical question after last Sunday's Ukranian Presidential Elections.

Both ECR's vice-Presidents, British Conservative MEP Timothy Kirkhope, and Czech MEP Jan Zahradil, were asked by "EuroFora" about their "feelings after the recent Elections on Ukraine's eventual wish to approach the EU, in one way or another", at the same moment that EU Parliament plans to debate on EU Enlargement to the Western Balkans and on Turkey's controversial EU bid.

 

This could include "also, maybe Antonov Airplanes, where cooperation might be useful (to EU Countries), because there are some problems today with the A400M", "EuroFora" observed.

    - "On Ukraine, and in general on the whole Enlargment agenda, we respect results of Democratic Elections, and we think that who is elected as President, is a completely Sovereign decision of the Ukranian People, as well as to decide what course this country wants to take towards the EU", replied vice-President Zahradil to "EuroFora".

    - "We are ready to support any efforts of the Ukranian Government and of the new Administration to get closer to the EU, to cooperate as much as possible, and even to become a Member of the EU, if Ukraine wishes to do so", he stressed.

    - "But this is a Sovereign decision of the State, which has yet to be made", he concluded carefully.

    EU Parliament is due to debate developments since last Sunday's Presidential Elections in Ukraine tomorrow, Wednesday in a Plenary discussion in Strasbourg.
The apparent winner of these elections, Viktor Yanukovich, who could become the new President of the  country, is traditionally known for close links to Russia, while also having recently expressed a will for closer economic relations with the EU.  His competitor, Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko, who has presented herself as favorable to close links to the EU, depends from the Parliament, which is independent from the Presidency, competent, however, for Foreign policy issues.

Ukraine was officially recognized as an "European Country" with legitime EU aspirations during the French EU 2008 Presidency  :  - "It's enough to simply walk accross Kiev's streets in order to realize that you are in a European country", had stressed French President Sarkozy at a Press Conference given together with EU Commission's President Barrioso in Elysee palace, attended by "EuroFora", as early as since September 2008.

Ukraine's Antonov airplane constructor has often been cited as a possible help for the EU to jointly build a new Military Transport airplane (perhaps in cooperation with Airbus/EADS) more efficient and less costly than the controversial A400M.

Meanwhile, at the latest Franco-German Summit, last week in Paris, both German Chancelor Merkel, and French President Sarkozy, stressed their will to avance towards a positive Strategic Partnership with Russia, on the base of Russian President Medvedev's recent proposals. Something which might faciltate also Ukraine's closer rapprochement to the EU, since Kiev is a natural GeoPolitical link between Moscow and the rest of Europe, including on Gas transit.