Inauguration of Ukrainian President-elect Yushchenko

 Mr. Conor Lenihan T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, will represent the Government at the official inauguration of President-elect Yushchenko in Ukraine this Sunday, 23 January.  Minister of State Lenihan will fly out to Kiev on Saturday following the decision of the Supreme Court on Thursday to confirm the election of Viktor Yushchenko as President.   

“This is an important time for the people of Ukraine and represents a significant moment for those who have championed, at street level, the democratic will of the Ukrainian people” said Minister Lenihan.  “This will be a great opportunity to meet with leaders from Central and Eastern Europe, including new Member States and countries wishing to develop a closer relationship with the European Union”.   

The Minister also said that Ireland looked forward to strengthening our bilateral relationship with Ukraine and to working within the European Union to ensure that Ukraine benefits fully from the European Neighbourhood Policy in the coming years.

ENDS++++

21st January 2005