President Halonen in Ukraine: A European country with lots of promise

Relations between Ukraine and the EU and Finnish businesses' interest in the Ukrainian market were key topics during President of the Republic Tarja Halonen's official visit to Ukraine on 12-14 May 2009. On Wednesday, 13 May President Halonen held bilateral talks with President Victor Yushchenko. "Ukraine is a European country with lots of promise and it has every possibility to fulfil its integration wishes," President Halonen said at a joint press conference following the talks. She hoped that Ukraine's "democracy, governance and internal political situation, will and skill will develop to meet the opportunities that Ukraine has". President Halonen pointed out that she had followed Ukraine's development for twenty years both as an MP and as Finland's foreign minister. She added that Ukraine has made enormous advances and emphasized that development is important for Ukrainians themselves. "It also makes Ukraine a more desirable partner for any international organization. The main thing is Ukraine's own will, own path."

President Victor Yushchenko of Ukraine, Mrs Kateryna Yushchenko, President Tarja Halonen and Dr Pentti Arajärvi at the monument to famine victims in Kyiv. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic

Ukraine is negotiating a broad association agreement with the EU, which will include a free-trade agreement. President Halonen considered that the negotiations had gone well and she emphasized the implementation of results, particularly in developing legislation and the courts and weeding out corruption.

Praise for energy expertise

President Halonen also commended Ukraine on its neighbourhood policy. "Often, even in difficult circumstances, this has involved constructive partnership." For his part President Yushchenko emphasized Finnish energy expertise several times during the day. He praised Finland's balanced energy policy and especially expertise in environmentally friendly energy technology.

During the visit a forum on economic relations between Finland and Ukraine was arranged, and both President Halonen and President Yushchenko were featured speakers. The President of the Republic was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen and a high-level business delegation, which included representatives of the energy, environment, IT and engineering branches.

On Wednesday President Halonen also met with Deputy Chairman of Parliament Alexandr Lavrinovich. In the afternoon she laid a wreath on the grave of the Unknown Soldier and paid her respects at a recently unveiled monument to the victims of the Ukrainian famine in 1932-33. Together with President Yushchenko she planted a rowan, which is the national tree of Ukraine, at the monument.

On Thursday, 14 May President Halonen met with Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and opened an exhibition of modern Finnish architecture. President Halonen and Dr Pentti Arajärvi also visited the Scandinavian School in Kyiv.

This was a return visit, since President Yushchenko came to Finland in October 2006 in connection with the EU-Ukraine summit.

Speech by President Halonen at the state banquet