BEIJING, Feb. 24 -- The new Ukrainian president, Viktor Yushchenko, says his country is forging ahead with plans to start talks on joining the European Union as soon as possible.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko speaks before the European Parliament in the northeastern French city of Strasbourg, Feb. 23.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)

    Yushchenko told the European Parliament his government would launch reforms needed for membership in Europe's leading institutions.

    Two days earlier, he'd clinched a agreement on an "action plan" for closer EU relations.

    Yushchenko told the European parliament Ukraine had gone beyond the "Neighbourhood Program" set up by the 26-member bloc for closer cooperation with east European non-member states.

    Yushchenko said, "The neighbourhood policy seems to have been overtaken by events. The scope and dimension of our relations should be based on the fact that Ukraine is already an integral part of a united Europe."

    However, the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, has offered no promises on Ukrainian membership. Officials say much time and effort are needed to build proper institutions, introduce economic reforms and bring legislation up to Western standards.

    Yushchenko has pledged quick passage of 350 pieces of legislation and improvements in the slow progress of creating civil institutions under his predecessor, Leonid Kuchma. Enditem

(Source: CCTV.com)