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Skriven 2006-03-23 23:33:30 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0603231) for Thu, 2006 Mar 23
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President Signs Bill to Strengthen Trade Between U.S. and Ukraine
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 23, 2006

President Signs Bill to Strengthen Trade Between U.S. and Ukraine
Room 350
Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building

President's Remarks view

˙˙˙˙˙ In Focus: International Trade

11:01 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Pleased be seated. (Applause.) Ambassador, good
to see you. Please be seated. Welcome. Appreciate you all coming. In a few
minutes I'm going to sign a bill that authorizes permanent normal trade
relations between the United States and Ukraine. It's a good bill, and it's
going to strengthen our ties with our friend, Ukraine. It's going to create
new opportunities, economic opportunities, for both our countries.

I really want to thank the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, a man who knows what he's talking about when it comes to the
world, and that's Chairman Lugar from Indiana. Thank you for coming, sir.
(Applause.) I thank the bill sponsor, Congressman Jim Gerlach, and his wife
Karen is here today. Thank you for coming, Mr. Congressman. Congressman Tom
Lantos is with us. He's the Ranking Member of the House International
Relations Committee. Congressman Curt Weldon, a cosponsor of the bill, is
with us. Congresswoman Candice Miller from Michigan, a cosponsor, is with
us, as well as a cosponsor, Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick. Thank you all for
being here. (Applause.)

I welcome you all here. I especially welcome the Ambassador from Ukraine,
Ambassador Shamshur. Welcome, Mr. Ambassador. Appreciate you coming.
(Applause.) This is the third time we've been together in the last 30 days.
(Laughter.) I'm better for it. (Laughter.)

The bill I sign today marks the beginning of a new era in our history with
Ukraine. During the Cold War, Congress passed the Jackson-Vanik Amendment
as a response to widespread communist deprivation of human rights. The law
made American trade with communist nations contingent on those countries'
respect for the rights of their own people. At the time, the law served an
important purpose -- it helped to encourage freedom and the protection of
fundamental rights, and penalized nations that denied liberty to their
citizens. Times have changed. The Cold War is over, and a free Ukraine is a
friend to America and an inspiration to those who love liberty.

The Orange Revolution was a powerful example of democracy for people around
the world. The brave citizens who gathered in Kiev's Independence Square
demanded the chance to determine their nation's future, and when they got
that chance, they chose freedom. In the past two years, Ukraine has held
free elections, and the people of Ukraine and its President, Viktor
Yushchenko, are deeply committed to democratic reform. On Sunday, the
Ukrainian people will again have the chance to cast a ballot in
parliamentary elections, and they have a chance to continue to shape their
own future.

Ukraine is also working to expand its market economy and produce measurable
improvements in the lives of the Ukranian people. America supports these
efforts, and this bill is an important step. By eliminating barriers to
trade between the United States and Ukraine, the bill will help Ukraine
grow in prosperity. As we've seen over the past 50 years, trade has the
power to create new wealth for whole nations and new opportunities for
people around the world. By expanding trade with Ukraine, this bill will
open new markets for American products and help Ukrainians continue to
build a free economy that will raise the standard of living for families
across their land.

As Ukraine embraces democracy and more open trade, our nation's friendship
will grow. President Yushchenko has made reforms to increase transparency
and provide intellectual property protection and strengthen the enforcement
of the rule of law.

These reforms have taken great conviction. And earlier this month, our two
nations signed a bilateral agreement that will establish the terms of trade
between our nations when Ukraine joins the World Trade Organization. We
support Ukraine's goal of joining the WTO, and we will help resolve the
remaining steps required for entry as quickly as possible. As the Ukrainian
government continues to build on a record of progress at home, we will help
Ukraine joins the institutions that unite free nations and become a part of
Europe that is whole, free, and at peace.

The growth of economic freedom and ownership in countries like Ukraine
reinforces the habits of liberty and democracy, and gives citizens a stake
in the success of their nation. Ukranian people have shown the world they
are committed to the ideals of economic freedom and democratic progress and
open trade, and that gives them a promising future.

The United States is proud to call Ukraine a friend, and I'm honored to
sign this important piece of legislation into law. (Applause.)

(The bill is signed.)

END 11:07 A.M. EST

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