Geopolitical situation of Ukraine, its traditions of good relations and co-operation with other states allow us to set the following priorities in the foreign policy of Ukraine:
. securing sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state; preventing external threats and ensuring national security;
. integrating into the European community, participating in the creation of All-European Security System;
. strengthening strategic partnerships with Russia and the USA;
. expanding co-operation with countries of the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, the Black and Baltic Seas region and of Balkan peninsular;
. preserving status of neutral and nuclear-free state.
Probability of external threat to the national security of the state, in our view, is related to the processes of globalisation of international ties and relations. These relations expand and result in dynamic formation of the world market as well as the world labour force under the pressure of internationalisation of capital, production and turnover. However, this globalisation also accelerates disintegrating processes in international political and economic relations, deepens the gap between countries and regions of Europe, America, Asia and other countries that develop more dynamically. This allows developed countries to impose their own principles of international co-operation on the other countries and strategically control important regions of the Planet. We are convinced that globalisation should stimulate the universal progress, utilising new means of control over unemployment, starvation and poverty on the global scale.
Ukraine can and should make its contribution to resolving these problems with the help of realisation of the chance offered by globalisation. This will allow for a significant growth of social and economic development of the country with the help of the latest technological achievements, expansion of economic co-operation and increase of competitiveness of Ukrainian economy. It will also eliminate the main threat to the national security of the State - loss of economic independence, transformation into a resource appendage and source of cheap labour to the developed countries.
We realise that without support of the European community, the United States of America and international financial institutions it will be difficult for Ukraine to implement necessary political, economic and social changes. That is why we stand for a strategic partnership with the United States.
We are convinced that co-operation with NATO is necessary, since it is a highly respectable institution that secures security and defence on the European continent.
Ukraine's neutral status does not exclude and even impels to co-operation with NATO, which has geographically expanded closely to Ukrainian national borders. While protecting its national interests, Ukraine should take advantage of the opportunities of special co-operation with NATO offered by its Charter.
We realise that eastward expansion of NATO creates a threat of a new "iron curtain" in Europe. Therefore, we support formation of an All-European collective defence system by means of transforming Western-European alliance into a universal European alliance with all European countries involved. Creation of All-European collective defence system will eliminate the threat of territorial expansionism that has increased after the 'cold war'. It will also resist desires of some European states and irresponsible politicians to re-consider territorial borders in Europe and change existing norms of international co-operation.
We are convinced that nuclear-free status of Ukraine must not be reconsidered. We seek to create a nuclear-free zone in Central and Eastern Europe and believe it will become the first step to transforming Europe into a nuclear-free continent. Understanding the importance of this goal, we support Eastern-European integration and co-operation between Ukraine and Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia as well as countries of the Black Sea region, Balkan peninsular and the Baltic states. We attribute great importance to co-operation with the UNO and Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe since these organisations play an important role in bringing European countries together and preventing possible conflicts.
We realise that the choice of priorities in Ukraine's foreign policy always contains the risk being one-sided since the country is located on the crossroads of two major cultures - European and Eurasian. We are convinced, however, that only diversity in the political, historic, economic, social and cultural ties with other countries and nations can ensure harmonious integration of Ukraine into the world community.
Another priority in Ukraine's foreign policy should be strengthening the strategic co-operation with Russia, since this country is an important component of European security and stability system. We intend to actively promote realisation of the Treaty on Friendship, Co-operation and Partnership, while consolidating principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity as the basis for intergovernmental relations between two countries. We are also interested in developing and deepening equal, friendly and mutually beneficial relations with other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. With all the responsibility, we declare that European choice of Ukraine does not signify a disavowal of historic traditions of friendship and good-neighbour relations between our countries.
There is no alternative to European choice of Ukraine. Ukraine is a European country and its future is connected with the European civilisation. We understand, however, that in order to become a truly European country Ukraine needs to not only declare its intentions but also ensure European level of political and economic development in the country. This will allow Ukraine to join the European community as an equal partner. In order to bring the country's development to such level, the state needs to approximate Ukrainian legislature to the European legal standards, create favourable conditions for market economy and provide secure guaranties of European-level social support system for those who need assistance from the state. Within realisation of its policy,