Brussels, 24/08/2010 (Agence Europe) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych stated on Tuesday 24 August that accession to the EU remained a priority for his country, despite the closer relations with Russia which he has been actively pursuing since his election in February 2010. “Becoming part of Europe remains a priority of our foreign policy,” he said on the 19th anniversary of Ukrainian independence. He defended his close links with Moscow, arguing that they served the process of Ukraine's joining the EU. “It is clear that normalisation of our relations with Russia is not only no hindrance to our joining Europe, but is, in fact, helpful to it,” he said. The EU and Ukraine are currently negotiating an association agreement and a free trade area. The EU has never given Ukraine any prospect of accession, even in the long-term, as it has the Balkan countries. (H.B./transl.rt)