Ukraine is dedicated to European values but will continue to cooperate with post-Soviet countries, President Viktor Yanukovych said on Wednesday.
“European values remain immutable for Ukraine,” he said. “We open the doors to all of our partners and friends, building bridges with new centers of growth.”
The Ukrainian authorities have said European integration is the nation’s main foreign policy priority.
Moscow has invited Kiev to join the Customs Union and the Eurasian Union, promising preferential energy prices as an incentive. However, Kiev is so far only ready to cooperate within the “3+1” format.
“We are developing new effective and mutually beneficial models of cooperation with the EurAsEC and CIS countries,” Yanukovych said.
Ukraine’s historical fate is connected to Europe and Russia, he said.
“Our actions are crucial for the future development of our continent,” the president said.
