    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [March 23, 2006]
    [Pages 559-561]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Signing a Bill To Authorize the Extension of
    Nondiscriminatory Treatment to the Products of Ukraine
    March 23, 2006

        Thank you. Pleased be seated. 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. I thank the bill sponsor,

    [[Page 560]]

    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.
        I welcome you all here. I especially welcome the Ambassador from
    Ukraine, Ambassador Shamshur. Welcome, Mr.
    Ambassador. Appreciate you coming. 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 2 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 nations'
    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 join 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 join 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 the
    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.

    [[Page 561]]

    Note: The President spoke at 11:01 a.m. in Room 350 of the Dwight D.
    Eisenhower Executive Office Building. In his remarks, he referred to
    Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S. Oleh Shamshur. H.R. 1053, approved
    March 23, was assigned Public Law No. 109-205.