Ukraine president vows democracy

The Ukrainian President has told the Council of Europe that there will be no going back on democratic changes in his country. Kicking off his European tour with an address to the assembly in Strasbourg, Viktor Yushchenko said he will do all he can to ensure that recent democratic reforms are irreversible. He also pledged to move his country towards what he called a "united Europe" by bringing Ukraine's laws and institutions in line with European standards to guarantee fundamental freedoms and human rights. Yushchenko went on to praise the EU's ten point "action plan" for Ukraine including proposals for bigger investment loans and improved access. EU foreign minister are due to discuss the proposals when they meet in Brussels next week. But the EU's external affairs chief, Benita Ferrero-Waldner dismissed calls to offer Ukraine the prospect of early membership of the bloc, insisting neither it nor Kiev are ready. Yushchenko travels to Poland and on Thursday will be in Brussels to speak to the European Parliament about Ukraine's ambition to eventually join the EU. He will also attend the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.