LONDON, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Visiting Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko on Monday reaffirmed his ambition to take his country into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU).

    When addressing the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, Yushchenko said he hoped to see the creation of a free trade area between Ukraine and the EU within 12to 15 months and the start of talks on possible NATO membership next spring.

    "We are convinced that the key area in foreign policy should bethe European aspirations of the Ukraine. That is integration to the EU and integration to NATO," he said.

    Yushchenko said Ukraine saw itself as a European country with European values. He also stressed he hoped to establish good relations with Russia.

    Yushchenko was declared winner of the prize of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, which recognized his achievement in steering the former Soviet Republic through last year's "orange revolution" without triggering conflict within Europe.

    The award, which Yushchenko is due to receive from Queen Elizabeth II at a reception at the Mansion House, is the inaugural Chatham House Prize honoring individuals deemed to have made the most significant contribution to improving international relations.

    Yushchenko was also expected to hold talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Ukraine's hope for EU membership and a planned EU-Ukraine summit in Kiev, capital of Ukraine, in December. Britain is now holding the rotating presidency of the EU. Enditem