KYIV. June 2 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Ukraine supports the idea of making India a permanent member of the UN Security Council, President Viktor Yushchenko said at a join press conference with Indian President Abdul Kalam in Kyiv on Thursday.

"We think that India deserves to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council. We also bear in mind that India supports the initiative for the transitional membership of Eastern European countries in the Security Council," he said.

The two leaders also discussed UN reform. "To my mind, the UN is one of the most authoritative organizations in the world. Its role is growing year to year, and a reform is quite natural," Yushchenko said.

UN reform may include increasing the number of UN Security Council permanent members. India, Brazil, Germany and Japan are candidates for permanent membership on the council.