¡¡KIEV, Dec. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stressed here on Wednesday that the U.S. regards the Ukraine as a strategic partner and expressed willingness to further strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

    "America of course values the friendship of the Ukraine as a ... strategic partner and an important country within Europe," Rice said at a joint press conference after talks with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko.

    During the talks, Rice and Yushchenko discussed possible bilateral cooperation in energy, aviation, medical treatment and other fields. The two countries should further strengthen economic and trade cooperation, Rice suggested.

    "I do believe that we can accelerate the pace of the development of our economic relations, including our trade relations," Rice said. "We are certainly committed to the Ukraine's full integration into the international economy and ultimately into Euro-Atlantic structures."

    Yushchenko at the press conference also expressed optimism on "the good dynamics" of the relationship between the two countries. But the talks failed to make substantial progress on the Ukraine's two main goals: winning recognition as a market economy from Washington and securing Washington's support to join the World Trade Organization.

    Yushchenko also hoped to further cooperation over aviation with the United States in the future.

    Before Yushchenko, Rice also met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov, discussing the political and economic situations in the country. She offered help to the Ukraine's reforms in all fields.

    Rice arrived in Kiev late Tuesday on the third leg of her European trip that has already taken her to Germany and Romania. The last stop of Rice's five-day trip will be Brussels, where she will attend a NATO meeting. Enditem