KIEV, August 3 (RIA Novosti) - Ukraine's president said Thursday that an agreement signed by the ex-communist country's political leaders proves they are intent on upholding national interests and that the months of deadlock are over.
Viktor Yushchenko called the national unity agreement "a major political breakthrough and confirms deep commitment to Ukrainian priorities, while it also sets a high plank of respect for our freedom and Ukrainian democracy."
The president also said he and the parliamentary leaders had been guided by the Ukrainian Constitution and national legislation alone.
Communist leader Petro Symonenko, head of the Socialist faction Vasiliy Tsushko, head of the pro-presidential Our Ukraine faction Roman Bezsmertny, Party of Regions leader and prime-ministerial nominee Viktor Yanukovych, parliamentary speaker Oleksandr Moroz, outgoing Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov, and Yushchenko signed the national unity agreement to end the country's protracted political crisis earlier Thursday.
"Everything set out in the agreement is part of our world view and can serve as an excellent plan for our future work," Yushchenko said.
The document contains 247 provisions, acknowledging Ukrainian as the main state language, promoting cooperation with NATO and moving toward joining the European Union, developing foreign economic cooperation with all interested parties in the best interests of Ukraine, and promoting the efficient use of natural resources and the employment of energy-efficient technology.
The agreement stipulates: "The continuation of a course toward Ukraine's European integration with a view to joining the European Union. The firm implementation of the 'Ukraine-EU' plan of action, and the immediate start of talks on forming a free trade zone between Ukraine and the European Union."
