UKRAINE: Ukraine's President-elect Mr Viktor Yushchenko has met the European Union's foreign policy chief ahead of his inauguration and a packed European tour aimed at setting Ukraine firmly on a new course closer to the West.
Mr Yushchenko held talks with Mr Javier Solana as officials compiled the list of guests expected at the liberal leader's inauguration tomorrow which he intends to turn into a national holiday.
Among those due to attend was the outgoing US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell. The presidents of Poland and Romania, two of Ukraine's neighbours committed to European integration, were also on the list. Mr Solana was one of several prominent mediators who helped to resolve weeks of turmoil over last November's presidential election, initially won by Mr Yushchenko's opponent but overturned by the Supreme Court on grounds of mass fraud.
In Brussels, a top ally of Mr Yushchenko, Mr Oleh Rybachuk, likely to be named minister for European integration, said the new administration intended to push ahead fast with reforms needed for membership of the European Union and NATO and that it was not overly concerned about upsetting Russia. "We are going to apply [ to join the EU] in a written request . . . I am talking about a very short period," Mr Rybachuk said.
The man expected to be named foreign minister, Mr Borys Tarasyuk, said agreements with Russia stood to be reviewed to determine whether they were in the national interest.