PM Vanhanen promises to devote attention to Ukraine during EU Presidency
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While the proposed membership of Turkey in the European Union is a major focus of attention in both the EU and in Finland, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) spent Wednesday in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, where he was asked to comment on the possible EU membership of that country.
The matter was not discussed in official talks with Prime Minister Yuri Yekhanurov, but local journalists were all the more interested in the issue.
Deepening ties between Ukraine and the EU are among the first issues to face Finland when it takes up the European Union Presidency in the second half of 2006.
Vanhanen assured reporters that Finland will devote attention to Ukraine, even though there is plenty of work with the EU’s internal problems.
He added that before discussions can start on setting up a free trade area between the EU and Ukraine, Ukraine needs to be accepted as a member of the World Trade Organisation.
The visit by the leader of a country that will soon hold the EU Presidency was of interest to the local media. There were 11 television cameras at the press conference of the two prime ministers.
Earlier in the day Vanhanen was interviewed by the state-run UT-1 television channel.
Among the questions on political matters, the journalist asked Vanhanen about his wife and children. Vanhanen, who is in the midst of divorce proceedings, spoke briefly about his children.
"I have not brought my family out in the public in Finland, and I recommend the same for Ukrainian politicians", Vanhanen said.
During his one-day working visit, Vanhanen also had a brief meeting with President Viktor Yustshenko and Parliamentary Speaker Volodymir Kytvynin, and took part in a Finnish-Ukrainian business seminar.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 6.10.2005 - TODAY |
 PM Vanhanen promises to devote attention to Ukraine during EU Presidency |
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