President Viktor Yanukovych on Wednesday met with visiting Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to discuss the process of Ukraine's integration into the European Union.

During the meeting, Yanukovych said Kiev appreciates Valletta's support for Ukraine's European integration aspirations.

"Ukraine has always considered Malta as a reliable partner and a friendly country. We are grateful to Malta for the support of the European integration processes that are going on in our country," Yanukovych said.

Malta's sympathy to Ukraine is crucially important now, when Kiev is on the verge of signing the political association agreement and a free trade pact with the European Union (EU), Yanukovych said.

For his part, Muscat said his country officially supports the signing of partnership agreements between Ukraine and the EU.

Malta hopes that Kiev will complete talks with Brussels on controversial issues regarding the deals before the Eastern Partnership Summit slated for November in Vilnius, capital of Lithuania, the Maltese prime minister said.

"We know that certain matters relating to judicial reform in Ukraine have not been resolved yet. But, at the same time, we have received assurances that the change that needs to be done will be done," he said. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)