AFR Results of the EU-Ukraine Summit in Copenhagen on 4 July 2002

04.07.02

Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen on 4 July headed the European Union’s negotiations with Ukraine in connection with the EU-Ukraine Summit in Copenhagen.

At the Summit a number of issues were discussed. In particular Ukraine’s status as one of the new neighbours of the Union after enlargement, cooperation between EU and Ukraine on crisis management, economic cooperation and cooperation on home and justice affairs. Key international issues were also discussed, including the Middle East, Moldova and disarmament. In connection with the Summit an agreement on cooperation and science and technology was signed between the EU and Ukraine.

At the press conference after the Summit the Prime Minister expressed great satisfaction with the results achieved:

“We have had a very good meeting. This is reflected in the joint statement from the Summit.

In the statement we confirm our joint desire to further reinforce our strategic partnership on the basis of the Partnership Cooperation Agreement.

At the meeting we acknowledged progress on political and economic reforms in Ukraine.

At the same time we made it clear that a strengthening of Ukraine’s democratic institutions, rule of law and market economy is vital for Ukraine’s development and for an intensified relationship with the EU. We agreed to intensify our cooperation in this area.

I will point to three key results from the meeting:

1) Need for continued adjustment in Ukraine. The EU welcomes Ukraine’s European aspirations. EU enlargement opens up new opportunities and poses new challenges. We agreed that for Ukraine the best way forward is to intensify its work to adjust its legislation and standards to those of the EU. We agreed to intensify work on the effects of enlargement on our partnership cooperation agreement.

2) Support to Ukraine’s goal of WTO membership and to the goal of full market economy status. We agreed that Ukraine’s rapid accession to the WTO is in our joint interest. We will seek during the coming months to conclude our bilateral market access negotiations. We agreed that Ukraine is to continue its process of structural and economic reform with the aim of acquiring full market economy status. The EU will continue to fully support Ukraine’s progress.

3) Border control. Finally, we agreed to cooperate closely on border management. The EU will continue to provide substantial assistance in this field.

We also discussed the Middle East conflict and the situation in Moldova and Belarus. We urged the parties to find a peaceful solution to the Transnistria conflict. On Belarus we expressed deep concern about the deterioration of the political situation and the lack of progress on reforms.

The joint declaration of the Summit is available at www.eu2002.dk