Ambassador Ian Boag, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine will visit Odessa on 25 March 2005

March 23, 2005.

    - to meet with the Mayor Ruslan Bodelan, representatives of the Oblast Administration and the Oblast Council, the local business community, students and the media.
    The visit is an opportunity to inform the Odessa leadership and the population about the EU’s commitment to deepening political co-operation and economic integration with Ukraine reflecting the changed political reality in the country. Just recently - on 21 February 2005 - the EU and Ukraine jointly endorsed an Action Plan. On top of that the Commission and Ukraine are currently working on a road map to ensure quick and efficient implementation of the Action Plan.
    Further, Mr Boag will seek first hand information about the socio-economic situation in the Odessa Oblast in order to explore opportunities for reinforced cooperation within the framework of the EU’s technical assistance programmes.
    The Ambassador will also take the opportunity to discuss with the leadership of Odessa the preparations for this year’s Europe Day celebration for which Odessa has been selected and that are to take place on 19 May 2005. Europe Day, which celebrates the creation of the European Union, has been organized by the European Commission in Ukraine over the past two years and has found major resonance among the population.
    For further information please contact Anje Schubert, Press Officer, Tel: 044 462 00 10 or anje.schubert@cec.eu.int