DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 28 (AFP) - President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine said Friday that Kiev would submit an application to join the European Union "in the near future."
He told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that his country`s history, economy and interests "clearly show that Ukraine`s way to the future is the way which is taken by the united Europe."
His comments here align the geo-strategically important former Soviet republic even further towards Europe and out of Moscow`s traditional orbit.
"The `orange revolution` paved the way to a new quality of our partnership with the united Europe," he told the annual meeting of business and political leaders here, referring to the popular protests that led to his victory in a re-run presidential election.
"We welcome the European Union`s intention to develop a new strategy for relations with Ukraine," he said in a speech.
"We would like its purpose to be to open the EU door to our nation. The application for EU membership is intended to be filed in the near future."
Yushchenko, who was given a standing ovation as he rose to speak, has long said that he wants Ukraine to join the European Union.
His comments Friday are thought to be the first time he has given such an indication of timing, although he did not elaborate on what he meant by near future.
His announcement won the immediate backing of Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, also appearing in Davos.
"It is necessary to start to discuss with Ukraine for the membership of Ukraine in the European Union," Kwasniewski said.
Citing the EU`s decision to open accession talks with Turkey, Kwasniewski said that if the bloc was prepared to admit Ankara, "we have no argument against Ukrainian entry and membership."
"The question is of time, of procedures, standards, but not why or if," he added.
Yushchenko was to have taken his campaign for membership to Brussels, the heart of Europe, on Thursday but was obliged to call off the trip because of bad weather.
In what were the merest of nods to Moscow, where he held talks Monday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, he said that Ukraine was prepared to "comprehensively develop partnership with the Russian Federation, pursuing our economic interests, advocating peace and stability across Europe".
"I am sure that this approach has been appreciated and welcomed during my visit to Moscow."
Putin had actively supported Yushchenko`s rival for the presidency, former prime minister Viktor Yanukovich, during the election campaign.
Yanukovich won a presidential vote in November amid widespread fraud, but the ballot was annulled and a new run-off ordered after hundreds of thousands of people protested on the streets of Kiev and other cities.
Yushchenko was eventually declared winner of the December 26 re-run and was inaugurated in office last Sunday.
01/28/2005 19:44 GMT - AFP