Viktor Yushchenko
Photo: AP
Yushchenko: I believe in cooperating with Israel
Ukrainian president tells Ynet that he will use his visit to Jerusalem next month to advance initiative for joint Israeli-Ukrainian development of missiles and satellites for peaceful purposes. Regarding peace process, ‘We intend to help especially in the financial arena,’ Yushchenko says
BERLIN - Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said he wanted to take advantage of his visit to Israel next month to offer his country’s expertise in the development of satellites and missiles to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
“I believe in cooperation between Israel and the Ukraine in the field of space,” Yushchenko told Ynet Tuesday night following a meeting with Vice Premier Shimon Peres in Berlin, where the two were awarded a prestigious prize.
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During the meeting between the two leaders, it was decided that Yushchenko would visit the Mideast on November 7, aiming to deepen economic ties with Israel and develop tourism and semi-defensive industries.
The Ukrainian president said he had not yet decided whether to stop over in the Palestinian Authority to meet with President Mahmoud Abbas. “We have our views on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, and we intend to act and help towards achieving peace in the Middle East. Peres’ words were said from the heart and I believe them. We intend to help especially in the financial arena, and are examining participation in the ‘Peace Valley’ project in the Jordan Valley,” he said.
Despite expressing support for UN Resolution 1701 for a ceasefire in Lebanon, Yushchenko said he did not plan to visit Beirut at this stage. “We are considering our steps in this matter as well, but what is certain now is that I will visit Jerusalem next month in continuation of the meeting I had with President Moshe Katsav last week in Babi Yar.”
Peaceful purposes
Regarding his offer to help Israel in developing missiles and satellites, Yushchenko pointed out his country’s vast experience in the field. “We were among the developers of the Sputnik in the days of the former Soviet Union, and we have a long-range missile industry and much knowledge that we can share with Israel. I don’t mean developing satellites and missiles for combat purposes, but for peaceful purposes,” he stressed.
The Ukrainian president expressed a great deal of optimism regarding future cooperation. “We see eye to eye on many things, including economic development of the region. I am a great believer in relations with Israel – starting with the many Israeli visitors to the grave of Rabbi Nahman of Breslav and up to the possibility of developing long-range missiles and satellites for peaceful purposes.”
Peres confirmed that he planned to raise the matter of missile and satellite cooperation upon his return to Israel, and stressed that the purpose of the technology would be to block missiles fired at Israel. “This is an interesting proposal that we should examine,” Peres said.
