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The President of the Republic attended the inauguration ceremony of the President of Ukraine23.01.2005
 President Arnold Rüütel today in Kiev attended the inauguration ceremony of the President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko and other ceremonial events of the celebration.
In the morning the head of Estonian state met with Volodymyr Lytvyn, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada. At the meeting the President of the Republic said that he was content that a peaceful solution had been found to the political crisis, triggered by presidential elections, and expressed his support to continuing reform process in Ukraine. Volodymyr Lytvyn thanked Estonia for its support, and he spoke about the events that had happened in Ukraine during the last months and explained the tasks facing the Parliament in the short run, emphasising the necessity for quick reforms and securing the unity of the state. President Rüütel suggested that Ukraine could take advantage of the Estonian experts' reform experience and the Speaker showed his interest in that possibility. According to the Speaker a separate department of European integration, led by Deputy Prime Minister, would be set up in Ukraine.
The President of the Republic attended a festive session of the Verkhovna Rada where the oath of office was taken, and was present also at the Independence Square (Maidan) where President Yushchenko delivered his speech to the people of Ukraine.
After that, President Rüütel attended a reception hosted by the head of Ukrainian state in Mariinsky Palace. The head of Estonian state also had a bilateral meeting with President Viktor Yushchenko.
President Rüütel congratulated President Yushchenko on his inauguration and said that the Estonian experience proves that reform process is complicated and requires involvement of the whole society. According to the President of the Republic the success of Ukraine is certainly the success of the whole Europe, as stability and welfare in Ukraine means stability for our continent as a whole.
At the meeting with President Yushchenko, the President of the Republic said that Estonia welcomes the reforms in Ukraine and is ready to make its contribution in the areas where Estonia has useful experience to offer.
At the meeting President Yushchenko stressed that Ukraine was using Estonia as an example for implementing its reforms. The presidents discussed the possibilities for cooperation between the two countries, focusing first of all on economy. Both sides showed their interest in developing transport infrastructure and President Rüütel pointed out the extension of Via Baltica further to south from Warsaw as one of the possibilities. In President Yushchenko's opinion that would facilitate the development of Ukrainian ports and promote cooperation with the ports of the Baltic Sea, as well as European integration in general. According to the head of Ukrainian state, promotion of cooperation both in the east-west direction and the north-south direction is important for Ukraine.
The head of Estonian state invited President Yushchenko for a visit to Estonia, and the invitation was accepted with thanks.
On Tuesday President Rüütel will visit the Estonian Embassy in Kiev where Ambassador Paul Lettens will meet him. The President of the Republic arrives back to Estonia tomorrow evening.
Public Relations Unit of the Office of the President
Kiev, January 23, 2005
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