French President makes state visit to Ukraine (09/06/98)

French President makes state visit to Ukraine

by Pavel Politiuk

KYIV - French President Jacques Chirac arrived in Ukraine on September 2 for a state visit and to encourage economic cooperation between the two European countries. It is the first visit by a French president since Ukraine's independence in 1991.

"With all its strength, France wants to help Ukraine bring reforms to a successful end and lock the country into the European family where Ukraine belongs," President Chirac said in a statement, issued the day before the visit.

During his two-day visit President Chirac has met with Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and plans to meet with Parliament Chairman Oleksander Tkachenko, Prime Minister Valeri Pustovoitenko, other leaders.

President Chirac said on September 3 the International Monetary Fund would make a decision within days about a request from Ukraine and said the IMF must take into account Russia's economic crisis.

"The difficulties in Russia have, of course, an influence on the situation in Ukraine and they must be taken into account in the negotiations with the IMF," Mr. Chirac told a news conference in Kyiv.

"These negotiations should advance very rapidly and IMF should be able to give its agreement to this program (Extended Fund Facility) in a very short time," Mr. Chirac said.

The French president also urged Russia to maintain reforms and a democratic society, saying "I don't want to judge, but what is important is that Russia has a modern vision of the economy, a democratic vision of society and a peaceful view of the world."

"The president (Leonid Kuchma) attaches great importance to Mr. Chirac's visit to Ukraine and we hope the visit will be really successful," President Kuchma's spokesman Oleksander Maydannyk told journalists on Wednesday.

Mr. Maydannyk also said that during the visit the two presidents and members of their large delegation will sign a series of bilateral documents, such as agreements of cooperation between Ukraine and France in nuclear safety and in the energy industry.

The delegation also plans to sign treaties of cooperation in the area of education and the battle against organized crime.

Mr. Chirac was accompanied by French Foreign Minister Hubert Vadrine and the secretaries of state for industry and health, who will meet with their counterparts in Ukraine.

The presidents plan to discuss economic cooperation. The trade level between Ukraine and France was low in 1997, totaling about $450 million.

The French Embassy in Kyiv said France's told direct investments in Ukraine is also too small - about $35 million.

On the eve of his first state visit to Ukraine, President Chirac sent a message of friendship and solidarity to the people of Ukraine. Mr. Chirac told journalists that the Ukrainians and the French belong to two ancient European nations who have strong roots in their own lands and are proud of their history and culture. He said that he will go to Kyiv to demonstrate the French peoples' support for an independent Ukraine.

Noting Ukraine's foreign policy achievements and Ukraine's recognition as one of the major players in preserving European security, Mr. Chirac said "I am aware that the economic reforms in Ukraine are difficult, but they are necessary, and must be completed so that they can yield real benefit, and enable Ukraine to fully use its numerous international economic advantages. France wants to assist Ukraine to being these transformations to a successful completion and assert itself in the European family, to which belong."

Mr. Chirac called on the people of Ukraine and France to build a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous united Europe, about which the pervious generations dreamed.

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