Yanukovych: Ukraine will cooperate with EU as key partner in tackling crisis

Ukraine will continue to cooperate with the European Union as a key partner in tackling the consequences of the economic crisis, while taking into account its own national interests, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said.

"Based on our strategic national interests, we will continue to cooperate with the European Union as a key partner in addressing the negative consequences of the financial and economic crisis, carrying out large-scale economic reforms, and modernizing the energy sector," he said in an address to the Ukrainian people at the Ukraina National Palace on Thursday.

Yanukovych said Ukraine would work with its "neighbors," because in order to "enter the list of the most developed countries, Ukraine must become a regional leader in Eastern Europe."