Ukraine's new President Viktor Yushchenko emphasised Tuesday he intended to see his country join the European Union, despite a public rebuff from Brussels.

"Our strategic aim, our vision is membership in the European Union," Yushchenko told the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe, a 46-nation grouping that includes the EU's 25 members.

The reaffirmation of his post-election pledge to steer Ukraine away from its historic patron Russia and into western Europe came just hours after EU officials tried to dampen hopes of EU adhesion.

The European Union's external relations commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, rejected calls that Ukraine be offered an association accord that is seen as a precondition to eventual accession.

"The EU is not disposed to do that for now," she said, but added that more minor cooperation agreements dealing with trade, investment and visa restrictions would be put forward next week.

Yushchenko swept to power in December 26 elections in which he defeated prime minister Viktor Yanukovich -- designated by retiring pro-Moscow president Leonid Kuchma to maintain Ukraine's close ties to Russia -- by proclaiming a pro-West vision for the future of his country.

"I became president thanks to the will of the Ukrainian people, who want to see their country become rich and democratic," he said.

But, in terms of Ukraine's bid for EU membership, "we are not simply knocking on the door saying 'let us in'," Yushchenko added, explaining that his government would work diligently towards meeting EU standards.

Ukraine wanted to see EU benchmarks announced which his country could objectively meet, and that a three-year cooperation agreement with the EU would result in an invitation to start accession talks.

In the meantime, it would initiate a number of steps, including reforms to install a free-market economy, a crackdown on corruption, and a bid to join the World Trade Organisation "by the end of 2005".

Stressing the changes he would implement, he said the decision on whether Ukraine joins the EU would ultimately be answered "in Kiev, not in Brussels."

Asked about his future dealings with Russia -- which on Monday he pointedly made his first foreign destination after being sworn in on the weekend -- he said he would not ignore traditional ties.

"Believe me, my heart belongs in Europe, but I'm aware that we won't be accepted if we arrive with bags of problems."

Russia was a "strategic partner," he said, but noted that the combined EU economy was "six times bigger".

The new Ukrainian president -- whose face bears the ravages of a poison administered during his campaigning -- has already signalled he would be no Moscow vassal by announcing that a former opposition leader reviled by Russian-speaking voters, Yulia Timoshenko, would be his prime minister.

Later this week he is due to address EU lawmakers in Brussels, in what many expect to be a direct appeal for the EU to consider embracing Ukraine.

At a press conference after his speech in Strasbourg, Yushchenko also said his raft of reforms aimed at gaining EU membership would extend to justice being upheld.

Asked specifically whether that would include the prosecution of Kuchma for his years of autocratic rule criticised for its lack of human rights standards, Yushchenko was affirmative.

"We will act in accordance with the law whether we are dealing with Kuchma" or anyone else, he said.