KIEV, May 18 – President Viktor Yanukovych, in his address to the people on the occasion of the Day of Europe, said that this holiday unites Ukraine with all peoples and continents, and symbolizes the country's European choice.

"The signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union will be the key basis for the further movement of our state in this direction. A free trade area between Ukraine and the EU will contribute to the modernization of the national economy, opening new markets for domestic goods and services, attracting foreign investment, and, even more important, creating new jobs and improving our compatriots' welfare," reads a statement by the president posted on his Web site on Saturday.

Yanukovych said achieving the maximum visa liberalization for Ukrainians was a priority task.