(17 May 2014) Ukrainian government members and European officials opened Europe Day celebrations in Kiev with a brief ceremony early on Saturday.
During his address, Prime MInister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said the first thing the future president of Ukraine should do upon winning elections is to head to Brussels.
"The government strongly recommends to the new president immediately head to Brussels and to sign deep and comprehensive free-trade area. This is to be the first step and the first signature of the new elected Ukrainian president," he said.
Yatsenyuk assured guests and visitors at the celebrations that Ukraine would overcome all its difficulties and become stronger.
"I believe in Europe and I believe in Ukraine," he said.
Preparations for the country's May 25 presidential election was proceeding across much of Ukraine.
Sweden's Foreign Minister underlined the fact that the European elections would be held on the same day.
"We'll all go to our respective elections on the 25th of May to use that enormously valuable commodity that is our democracy to elect the representatives that will shape our common European future for Swedes and Poles, for Ukrainians and Portuguese, and Finns and Norwegians, and whatever, to work together for better future," Carl Bildt said, during his address.
Ukraine has marked Europe Day since 2003.
In previous years, the celebrations in Kiev had been held at the main Independence Square or Maidan and the main Khreschatyk street.
The celebration was not possible this year as the sites remain occupied by protesters.
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