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                Poroshenko: Ukraine to Apply to Join EU in 2020

   by VOA News

   Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says his country will apply for
   membership to the European Union in 2020 as part of a broader plan for
   social and economic reforms.

   Speaking Thursday at a press conference in Kyiv, Poroshenko said the
   planned reforms, consisting of 60 separate initiatives, will prepare
   Ukraine to join the 28-nation boc.
   "Anti-corruption reform, judicial reform, reform of the defense system,
   decentralization of power, energy independence are the priorities,"
   said Poroshenko who earlier this year signed an Association Agreement
   with the EU.

   The spurning late last year of closer EU ties by Poroshenko's
   predecessor, Moscow-backed Viktor Yanukovych, sparked massive
   anti-government protests which in February led to his ouster and flight
   to Russia. Moscow, in what has been seen as a retaliatory move by Kyiv
   and the West, subsequently annexed Ukraine's Crimea and orchestrated a
   separatist rebellion in the country's east. Russia denies the charge.
   Blasting Putin at UNGA

   Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk late Wednesday addressed
   what is seen as Russia's aggression, appealing to the international
   community to keep sanctions against Moscow in place until Kyiv regains
   "control of its entire territory," including Crimea.

   In a speech in New York before the U.N. General Assembly, Yatsenyuk
   also delivered a direct message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

   "Mr. Putin, you can win the fight against the troops, but you will
   never win the fight against the nation - united Ukrainian nation," he
   said.

   Yatsenyuk said that Russia has violated international laws by invading
   parts of Ukrainian territory by arming pro-Russian insurgents and
   annexing Crimea.

   Commenting on Yatsenyuk's speech, Russia's U.N. ambassador Vitaliy
   Churkin called it "melodramatic" and misguided.

   "It's strange that Ukraine's PM, instead of solving the multiple
   problems of his country, which is nearing economic collapse, has come
   to New York to speak in front of a half-empty General Assembly room,"
   Churkin told journalists.

   Earlier Wednesday, the Ukrainian prime minister expressed skepticism
   about the cease-fire with pro-Russian rebels, calling it extremely
   fragile and shaky. He said Ukraine could easily deter separatists and
   restore peace in the country, if it wasn't for Russia's direct
   intervention.

   Although Moscow denies it, there has been ample evidence of Russian
   military support for insurgents in eastern Ukraine, and the presence of
   Russian troops on Ukrainian soil.  NATO says some Russian troops
   remain.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/porshenko-ukraine-to-apply-for-eu-mem
   bership-in-2020/2461837.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/porshenko-ukraine-to-apply-for-eu-membership-in-2020/2461837.html