国际英语新闻：Poland open to cooperation with new Ukrainian president: official

WARSAW, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Poland is and will remain ready to cooperate with every democratically elected president of Ukraine, Presidential Minister Mariusz Handzlik said on Monday.

"Grounds of our strategic partnership do not depend on who is currently in power, but are based on a strong foundation of common principles, interests and vision of the future of our countries and nations," Handzlik told the Polish news agency PAP.

The minister stressed that for the Polish president, Ukraine is a strategic partner in bilateral relations as well as in the international dimension.

He added that Poland for a number of times has played a role of a promoter of Ukraine's membership in European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

"An independent and sovereign Ukraine means a chance for our bilateral relations. We would like to see Ukraine as a full- fledged member of the European family and a modern, developing and fully democratic state," said Handzlik.

The minister stressed that Ukraine faces serious challenges in coping with the economic crisis and the continuation of reforms. " The new Ukrainian president will have to manage with this, but at the same time may count on Poland's support and aid."

Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich gained 48.54 percent of the votes while incumbent Prime Minister Tymoshenko took 45.87 percent in Sunday's presidential runoff, with 98 percent of the ballots counted, according to the results from the Ukrainian Central Election Committee.