Grote steun in Europees Parlement voor toekomstig EU-lidmaatschap Oekraïne (en)

The European Parliament has strongly supported the new Ukrainian leader's hopes for closer relations with the EU.

MEPs voted on Thursday (13 January) by 467 votes to 19 in favour of a non-binding resolution calling for Ukraine to be given "a clear European perspective, possibly leading to EU membership".

They said it was now time to consider other forms of association with Ukraine besides the Neighbourhood Policy.

They also advocated relaxing visa requirements for Ukraine, recognition of Ukraine's market economy and support for the country joining the World Trade Organisation.

Opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko on 26 December won a re-run of the presidential election after weeks of protests that became known as the "Orange Revolution" - the campaign colour of Mr Yushchenko.

MEPs welcomed the "substantially fair elections" and said financial assistance to Ukraine should be increased considerably to support economic and administrative reforms.

Market economy

The new pro-EU Ukrainian President will come to Brussels for talks on 21 February and is expected to press for deeper integration with the EU.

As one first move the European Commission is poised to declare Ukraine a "functioning market economy", according to the Brussels weekly European Voice.

The decision could come within weeks and would ease anti-dumping duties on Ukraine's exports, some of which are currently subject to tariffs of more than 50%, the paper reported.

Ukraine's Election Commission earlier this week formally declared Viktor Yushchenko the winner of the presidential election. The Supreme Court must, however, accept the statement before Mr Yushchenko can be officially inaugurated as Ukraine's new president.