Yushchenko Visits France

President Viktor Yushchenko discussed bilateral relations with French president Jacques Chirac on his recent trip. France has said it will support Ukraine’s bid to join the WTO and provide technical assistance in administrative and legislative reform, and energy and agribusiness development. Concorde Capital: While France is normally a Russian ally and generally cold to Ukraine, there are too many mutual economic interests between the two countries for Ukraine to be ignored. France’s imports of Ukrainian natural gas and Arcelor’s bid for Kryvorizhstalare the most important issues at present.