EU-Ukraine Ministerial Troika, Kiev, 30 March 2005

March 29, 2005.

    *** On 30 March, an EU Troika will meet Ukrainian Foreign Minister Boris Tarasyuk for discussions on the development of EU-Ukraine relations. Discussions will focus in particular on internal developments in Ukraine, and the implementation of the EU-Ukraine European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Action Plan. The meeting will take stock of the efforts made to take forward the Action Plan since its launch on 21 February 2005, and both sides will share views on further steps in its implementation. The meeting will also cover developments in the region including Transnistria, as well as key foreign policy issues.
    On the eve of the meeting, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said: “The Action Plan sets out an agenda for EU-Ukraine relations which is rich in possibilities. As soon as it was endorsed we lost no time in getting down to work and have already made progress towards its implementation. This troika meeting will help us to keep the momentum going.”
    The Commissioner added: “I am also looking forward to discussing with our Ukranian partners how to work together more effectively to resolve the long-standing conflict over Transnistria. Finding a peaceful solution is in the interests of Moldova, Ukraine and the EU.”
    The EU-Ukraine Ministerial meeting will review the internal situation of Ukraine, following the formation of the new government and the presentation of its ambitious reform agenda. Ministers will also refer to the EU’s commitment to further enrich the Action Plan in ten areas of cooperation, following proposals made jointly by Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner and High Representative Solana.
    The EU and Ukraine will also review possibilities for enhanced cooperation on regional and international issues, including on the Transnistria conflict in Moldova, following the appointment of an EU Special Representative for Moldova. The Commission will confirm that the intended opening of an EU Delegation in Moldova before the summer should facilitate cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova on key aspects of conflict settlement such as border management. The Commission will also confirm that it stands ready to assist Ukraine and Moldova in the demarcation of the border and in upgrading border infrastructure.
    Ukraine’s relations with Russia and Georgia as well as issues of non-proliferation will also be discussed.
    The EU will confirm that as Ukraine makes genuine progress in carrying out internal reforms and adopting European standards, relations between the EU and Ukraine will become deeper and stronger. Progress will be reviewed at the EU-Ukraine Cooperation Committee meeting on 22 April, the “regular” EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council on 13 June and the EU Ukraine Summit in October.
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    Further information on EU Ukraine relations:
    http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/ukraine/intro/index.htm
    Further information on the European Neighbourhood Policy.
    http://europa.eu.int/comm/world/enp/index_en.htm
    Emma Udwin 02/29 59577