EU-UKRAINE COOPERATION COUNCIL ELEVENTH MEETING, LUXEMBOURG, 18 JUNE 2007

June 19, 2007.

    EU Press release
    At the eleventh EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council today, the Cooperation Council welcomed the progress made in the EU-Ukraine relations over the last year through steps forward in the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Action Plan and the GAERC conclusions on Ukraine of 21 February 2005.
    The EU expressed deep concern over the political stand-off and constitutional crisis in Ukraine. It emphasised the importance for Ukraine to move on with political and economic reforms. Ukraine's success in stabilising her political system will be a major factor determining her capacity to move forward in this regard. This will require an inclusive and comprehensive reform of the Constitution, in order to establish a functioning system of checks and balances between the main state organs, in line with the principles of democracy and rule of law and with the guidance of the Venice Commission.
    The Cooperation Council welcomed the successful opening of the negotiations on a new Enhanced Agreement on 5 March and the substantive progress achieved in the subsequent negotiation rounds. The Cooperation Council reconfirmed the strong commitment of the two Parties to the negotiations. It stressed the importance of solving outstanding issues for Ukraine's WTO membership, also as the finalisation of Ukraine's accession to WTO was a condition for starting negotiations on a free trade agreement in the context of the new Enhanced Agreement.
    Stressing the importance of regional stability and good neighbourly relations, the EU expressed its appreciation for Ukraine's cooperation with EUBAM and agreement to prolong its mandate for a further two years.
    The Cooperation Council emphasized the importance of continued cooperation in the field of Justice, Freedom and Security and endorsed the revised EU-Ukraine JFS Action Plan. It welcomed the signing, in the margins of the meeting, of the EC-Ukraine visa facilitation and readmission agreements. These agreements will facilitate travel and contacts between Ukrainian and EU citizens, while at same time fighting illegal migration.
    The EU was represented by Mr Steinmeier, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, Commissioner Ferrero Waldner, and Mr Amado, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Portugal. Prime Minister Yanukovych led the Ukrainian delegation.