The third most powerful nuclear arsenal renounced.

• Position: Ukraine - Brief Article

From the moment of achieving independence, Ukraine has shown itself as a predictable and peace-loving member of the international community. Having clearly defined its priorities in foreign policy, Ukraine continues to adhere to them purposefully and unswervingly. The main strategic directions of its foreign policy are integration in the European Union (EU) and strategic partnership with the Russian Federation, the United States and Poland. These directions--in conjunction with its friendly relations with neighbouring States, its activity on regional and subregional levels, and its participation in multilateral diplomacy and peacekeeping--became the basic elements that determine Ukraine's foreign policy today. Its strategic aim to become a full-rights member of the European Union is to ensure the country's stable economic growth, social harmony, political stability and state independence and security. The European Parliament supported the entry of Ukraine into the Union. The EU Summit, held in Goteborg in Jun e 2001, decided to invite Ukraine to participate in the Conference, which unites member States and countries that are candidates for membership in the European Union.

A top priority step to get into the Union is membership in the World Trade Organization. In 1997, Ukraine started bilateral negotiations with the WTO member States as to access to the market of goods and services. Presently, it holds negotiations with 39 countries, among which are members of EU, the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia and countries of the Central European Free Trade Association.

As one of the founding members of the United Nations, Ukraine has always regarded the Organization as a universal mechanism for resolving global problems and for building close cooperation among its members. Its participation in the United Nations activities during the last ten years has been extremely productive. Ukraine's active and well-considered position on numerous issues on the UN agenda has been widely recognized by UN Member States, vividly demonstrated by the election of its Minister of Foreign Affairs as President of the fifty-second session of the General Assembly. Its election to the Security Council as a non-permanent member for the period 2000-2001 has become one of the most important achievements of Ukraine's foreign policy since its independence.

During two years of work in the Security Council, Ukraine has proven to be an active member, whose position is...