OREANDA-NEWS. June 16, 2010. The 14th session of the Ukraine-EU Cooperation Council, which was attended by the Ukrainian delegation headed by Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov, came to an end. The delegation of the European Union was represented at the meeting by EU High Representative for Foreign Affaires and Security Policy, Vice President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU Diego Lopez Garrido and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule.

During the meeting the sides discussed the domestic situation in Ukraine and the European Union, the course of negotiations on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, ways to deepen cooperation in foreign policy and security, cooperation in the sphere of justice, freedom and security, including the progress in the visa-free dialogue, prospects for enhancing trade and economic and sectoral cooperation and exchanged views on current international issues.

The EU representatives positively assessed the stabilization of political situation in Ukraine after the presidential elections in February 2010, which allowed to lay down the foundation for the further implementation of socio-economic reforms and overcoming the effects of the economic crisis in Ukraine.

At the meeting the Ukrainian side presented the main elements of the Reform Programme of the President of Ukraine and informed on the results of the first 100 days of the new Ukrainian leadership. In turn, the EU confirmed its commitment to fully support the reform process in Ukraine that will help increase the Ukrainian economy and social welfare. To this end, the parties discussed the possibility of involving experts of the EU Member States to provide advice for Ukrainian authorities to implement reforms.

The participants reaffirmed the importance of completion of work on the new EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, including the deep and common free trade area.

Within the framework of the talks the parties agreed to pay special attention to the further implementation of judicial reform in Ukraine, reforms of public administration, continue the fight against corruption. The Ukrainian side stressed that the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms continues to be the foundation for the further development of our country.
During the session, delegations from Ukraine and the EU highly appreciated the cooperation in foreign and security policy. Representatives of the EU welcomed Ukraine's accession to the EU statements and positions on international affairs, as well as Ukraine's contribution to crisis management. The sides agreed to strengthen the mechanism of political and security consultations for further rapprochement between Ukraine and the EU in the international arena.

The participants welcomed the progress in the visa free dialogue between Ukraine and the EU on developing terms on the creation of a visa free regime and confirmed the Joint Conclusions of the EU-Ukraine JLS Ministerial of 9th June, 2010, on the preparation by the European Commission for the next EU-Ukraine summit an Action Plan for establishing a visa free regime for short trips of Ukrainian citizens to the EU. In this regard, the EU side stressed the need to continue reforms of immigration and visa system in Ukraine.

In addition, the parties discussed the prospects of strengthening trade and economic cooperation amid the global financial crisis and the importance of further constructive work on a deep and common free trade area between Ukraine and the EU.

Special attention was paid to the prospects of energy cooperation, particularly in the context of the implementation of the relevant Memorandum dated from 1 December 2005. Particular emphasis was placed on further reforms in Ukraine’s energy sector and achieving full membership in the Energy Community for Ukraine.

During the meeting the parties approved the Joint Report on progress in implementing the EU-Ukraine Association Agenda and the previous Protocol signed at the 13th session of the EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council.

It is scheduled that the next meeting of the Ukraine-EU Cooperation Council will be held in June 2011.