EC And Ukraine Release Joint Statement Following Summit

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

30 October 2006

The 10th EU-Ukraine Summit took place in Helsinki on October 27th 2006. The EU was represented by the Finnish Prime Minister Mr Matti Vanhanen in his capacity as President of the European Council, and by the President of the Commission, Mr Jose Manuel Barroso.

The Ukrainian Delegation was led by the President Victor Yuschenko, who was accompanied by Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Boris Tarasyuk.

The European Union and Ukraine agreed on the crucial importance of political and economic reforms in Ukraine, and on the need for Ukraine to finalise the WTO accession process which would allow the development of stronger economic and trade relations with the EU.

The parties agreed on a joint comprehensive and ambitious approach to the new Enhanced Agreement between the EU and Ukraine, including a deep free trade area as an important element thereof. Both parties are looking forward to the launch of official negotiations in early 2007.

The parties also welcomed progress made in reforms in all fields covered by the EU - Ukraine Action Plan and agreed on the need to continue the implementation of the Action Plan.

The Parties reaffirmed the importance of cooperation in the area of Justice, Liberty and Security (JLS) and welcomed the progress that has been made in revising the EU - Ukraine Action Plan on Freedom, Security and Justice.

The Summit also welcomed the successful completion of negotiations on the EC-Ukraine visa facilitation and readmission agreements and initialed both documents.

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