Brussels, February 12 (Interfax-Ukraine) - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has congratulated Victor Yanukovych on winning the presidential race in Ukraine.
"Dear President-elect, on behalf of the European Commission and for my own part, I would like to offer warmest congratulations on your election as the new President of Ukraine," Barroso said in a message of congratulations sent to Yanukovych.
The European Commission president said that during the election campaign and on successive polling days, they witnessed once more the Ukrainian people’s commitment to democratic values and its determination to continue on the path of democratic reform. "I should in particular like to welcome the fact that the elections were conducted in accordance with international standards," Barroso said.
In his words, Ukraine faces many challenges in the coming years, including the global economic down-turn, which has affected Ukraine as well as member states of the European Union. "There is now an urgent need for decisive action to tackle key economic and political reforms in Ukraine in the interests of securing an early recovery and long-term stability and prosperity. The European Union will stand by Ukraine in these endeavors. We will continue to provide you with political, economic, financial and technical support both bilaterally and through the Eastern Partnership," Barroso said.
At the same time, the European Union remains fully committed to deepening the process of political association and economic integration with Ukraine by completing the bilateral negotiations on an EU-Ukraine Association Agreement as soon as possible, he said.
"I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our relationship further and to address together the many common challenges that we face. I wish you every success in your new role as President of Ukraine," the European Commissioner president said.
