US Secretary of State Colin Powell met visiting Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych Thursday and thanked Ukraine for its "important contributions" to the Iraq stabilization force, the State Department said.

"Ukraine is the fourth largest contributor of troops in Iraq. And we thanked them as well for the cooperation we've been able to establish in the war on terrorism," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters.

"The secretary expressed support for Ukraine's effort to draw closer to Euro-Atlantic and European institutions, as well as for Ukraine's goal of accelerated accession to the WTO," Boucher said.

Powell also stressed the importance of promotion of democracy and human rights in Ukraine.

"He (Powell) made clear that the conduct of open, free and fair presidential election process in 2004, and the strengthening of media and judicial independence are essential and will have a major impact on Ukraine's ability to move forward with its aspirations," Boucher said.

Ukraine is the fourth largest contributor of troops to the US-led stabilization effort in Iraq, with some 1,650 soldiers on the ground.

Yanukovych is on a four-day official visit to Washington aimed mainly at seeking help to ease his country's economic woes.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2003)