KIEV, March 4 - Ukrainian integration with Europe will happen on a step-by-step basis, President Viktor Yanukovych said.

"We are prepared for European integration as much as Europe itself is prepared for this. We are realists, we understand that we have to carry out reforms, we need to harmonize our laws and technical standards, and there is a host of issues here. But we will be integrating step-by-step," Yanukovych said in an exclusive interview with Interfax.

Integration implies, in particular, visa-free travel between Ukraine and the European Union and the establishment of a free trade area, he said.