President Viktor Yushchenko paid visit to the United Kingdom

During his visit to the UK President Victor Yushchenko met Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Gordon Brown, Foreign Secretary David Miliband, President of EBRD Thomas Mirow and leader of the Conservative party David Cameron.

President and Prime Minister agreed to continue to co-operate closely to further strengthen the UK-Ukraine strategic partnership. They discussed the developments in bilateral relations, progress in Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic integration, energy and international issues. After the meeting the leaders issued a joint press statement .

 

 

Joint Press Statement 

by Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Gordon Brown

and President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko

 

London, 6 October 2008

 

 

The Prime Minister met President Yushchenko of Ukraine on 6 October.

 

The Prime Minister and President recalled the warmth of UK-Ukraine relations, and the joint statement agreed at their last meeting in May 2008. They agreed to continue to co-operate closely to further strengthen the UK-Ukraine strategic partnership.

 

The Prime Minister reiterated that Ukraine has the potential to contribute to the prosperity and security of the EU and that once Ukraine fulfils the criteria, it should be admitted into full membership of the EU. In this connection, the Prime Minister and President welcomed the outcome of the twelfth EU-Ukraine summit on 9 September in Paris at which the EU and Ukraine decided to name their future bilateral agreement an Association Agreement. The United Kingdom looks forward to assisting in the implementation of the new Association Agreement, including by helping Ukraine to approximate its legislation to that of the EU.

 

The Prime Minister and President agreed on the importance of energy sector reform in Ukraine and looked forward to the start of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the Energy Community Treaty. They also highlighted the importance of energy efficiency as a means of enhancing energy security and prosperity.

 

The Prime Minister and President recalled the result of the NATO summit held in Bucharest when NATO Allies affirmed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO. The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s NATO integration. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

The Prime Minister and President agreed to continue working together to tackle illegal migration and human trafficking, including through implementation of the EU-Ukraine Agreement on readmission. They also agreed on the importance of increasing people-to-people contacts.

 

The leaders discussed recent events affecting the world economy and pledged their commitment to ensuring the stability of financial systems.

 

The Prime Minister and President agreed to continue to co-operate to promote remembrance and increase public awareness of the 1932-33 Holodomor (’man-made Great Famine’) in Ukraine during its 75^th anniversary this year.