[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.