Cooperation with the European Union will allow to speed up Ukraine's modernization, President Viktor Yanukovych said Monday at a press conference following a meeting with President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek in Brussels.

Asked about an idea that can consolidate Ukraine's separated electorate, Yanukovych said that issues that unite the Ukrainian people are always related to changes for the better. “My predecessors spoke much about the European integration, but at the same time, the situation in the country and people's living standards worsened from year to year. Undoubtedly, it did not contribute to promoting a positive attitude of people toward European integration. We believe that the essence of European integration primarily consists in carrying out reforms in order to improve life in Ukraine,” the Ukrainian President said.

He cited particular examples of those steps that Ukraine intends to take conjointly with the European Union. In particular, it concerns introduction of a visa free regime of traveling for Ukrainians to the European Union and creation of a free trade zone that will enable to support the national producer and ensure an access to the European markets.

According to Yanukovych, Ukraine also expects support on the part of the European Union in overcoming effects of economic and financial crisis in the country. This support will also let increase the production level in Ukraine, create new jobs and raise people's living standards. “These joint steps on Ukraine's reformation largely depend on Ukraine itself, but our cooperation with the European Union will enable us to speed up this process considerably. Therefore, not only good words, but primarily affairs attract people and give a possibility for them to hope and feel improvement of life. This joint interest will be a consolidating factor that will provide a possibility and hope to move forward in the European integration issues,” the Ukrainian President emphasized.