On July 24, 2008, in the course of the work visit to the Republic of Italy, the Minister fir Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mr. Volodymyr Ogryzko held negotiations with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy Mr. Franco Frattini.

The Ministers discussed urgent issues of the bilateral cooperation and emphasized the need for its intensification.

Mr. V.Ogryzko and Mr. F.Frattini focused their attention on transition to relations of the nature of association between Ukraine and EU as a stage on the way of integration into the European Union and a start of a dialogue on cancellation of the visa terms for trips of the citizens of Ukraine to the EU countries.

A separate subject of the negotiations was entry of Ukraine into NATO and support of the Euro-Atlantic intentions of our state by Italy.

In the course of the negotiations, Mr. V.Ogryzko raised the question of support of the Ukrainian citizens who reside in Italy by meeting their educational and cultural needs. The Head of the foreign policy office of Italy showed understanding of the raised question and confirmed the willingness to solve the agenda of the local Ukrainian community.

The Ministers V.Ogryzko and F.Frattini signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the foreign policy offices of the two countries.