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Hryhoriy Nemyria
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YULIA TYMOSHENKO
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Ukraine asks for French nuclear, budget help
04 March 2009
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko asked
France for help Wednesday in financing her
country's gaping budget and reviving Ukraine's
nuclear energy sector to make it less reliant on
Russian natural gas.
She also sought to assure European gas consumers that "there will be no more conflicts" between Russia and Ukraine over gas supplies crossing her country. Price disputes between the two neighbors have led to gas cutoffs in many European countries in the past, and new worries surfaced after a raid on Ukraine's main natural gas company on Wednesday.
"Ukraine was and remains a reliable gas partner for Europe," Tymoshenko told reporters after meeting French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Tymoshenko's trip to Paris appeared aimed at boosting her domestic political interests and shoring up Ukraine's reputation in Western Europe amid new signs of fracture between herself and President Viktor Yushchenko. Ukraine's political turmoil and the gas conflict have turned away investors, and Ukraine has been particularly hard hit by the economic crisis.
She also sought to assure European gas consumers that "there will be no more conflicts" between Russia and Ukraine over gas supplies crossing her country. Price disputes between the two neighbors have led to gas cutoffs in many European countries in the past, and new worries surfaced after a raid on Ukraine's main natural gas company on Wednesday.
"Ukraine was and remains a reliable gas partner for Europe," Tymoshenko told reporters after meeting French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Tymoshenko's trip to Paris appeared aimed at boosting her domestic political interests and shoring up Ukraine's reputation in Western Europe amid new signs of fracture between herself and President Viktor Yushchenko. Ukraine's political turmoil and the gas conflict have turned away investors, and Ukraine has been particularly hard hit by the economic crisis.
Tymoshenko said she and Sarkozy discussed French
support for financing Ukraine's deficit. "I think
we will find this support," she said.
While in Paris, Tymoshenko met with executives from French nuclear energy giant Areva and discussed a possible joint project to extract Ukrainian uranium and build new Ukrainian nuclear energy facilities "to improve the energy situation in Ukraine."
"Areva is ready to help us," she said, though she gave no details and announced no solid deals. Ukraine has several Soviet-era nuclear plants but relies heavily on Russian gas.
In other meetings with French executives, she said, she discussed the possibility of building helicopters jointly with Airbus parent EADS and investment in road-building projects ahead of the Euro 2012 football championships, to be jointly hosted by Ukraine and Poland.
Earlier, Tymoshenko gave the clearest sign yet that she plans to run for president, according to a report in France's Le Monde newspaper. It quoted her as saying nothing could stop her from soon becoming president. She said presidential elections should be held as soon as possible, Le Monde said.
The date of Ukraine's next presidential election has not been set, but it is expected late this year or in early 2010.
While in Paris, Tymoshenko met with executives from French nuclear energy giant Areva and discussed a possible joint project to extract Ukrainian uranium and build new Ukrainian nuclear energy facilities "to improve the energy situation in Ukraine."
"Areva is ready to help us," she said, though she gave no details and announced no solid deals. Ukraine has several Soviet-era nuclear plants but relies heavily on Russian gas.
In other meetings with French executives, she said, she discussed the possibility of building helicopters jointly with Airbus parent EADS and investment in road-building projects ahead of the Euro 2012 football championships, to be jointly hosted by Ukraine and Poland.
Earlier, Tymoshenko gave the clearest sign yet that she plans to run for president, according to a report in France's Le Monde newspaper. It quoted her as saying nothing could stop her from soon becoming president. She said presidential elections should be held as soon as possible, Le Monde said.
The date of Ukraine's next presidential election has not been set, but it is expected late this year or in early 2010.