UKRAINE FULLY SUPPORTS IDEA OF RAPPROCHEMENT BETWEEN STATES OF BLACK SEA REGION AND EU - PRESIDENT YUSHCHENKO

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Opening the Black Sea Synergy Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Countries of the Black Sea Region and of the European Union in Kyiv Thursday, President Viktor Yushchenko stressed that Ukraine fully supports the idea specified by the Communication from the European Commission to the European Council and the European parliament "Black Sea synergy - a New Regional Cooperation" of strengthening rapprochement between the Black Sea region and the EU by means of joint projects. According to the president, such an approach will open new prospects not only for the countries of this region but for Europe as a whole. He underlined that this vision of cooperation agrees with the expectations of th countries' involved which were voiced during the BSEC summit in Istanbul on June 25, 2007.

"We are finding qualitatively new opportunities to speed up the joint building of a united and indivisible European space of democracy, stability and security," the head of state said.

Viktor Yushchenko underlined that the Black Sea region is an integral part of united Europe and cooperation in this area must conform to the general logic of European integration.

Mr. Yushchenko outlined the Ukrainian side's vision of priority areas of cooperation in the Black Sea region. Among them is peaceful settlement of 'frozen conflicts' and eliminating their negative aftermath.

"We will continue to direct our efforts at ensuring a permanently high level of regional and international cooperation aimed at preventing terrorism, fighting illegal migration, trafficking in humans, drugs and arms trafficking," the president stated.

Mr. Yushchenko expressed a conviction that the development of the "Black Sea Cooperation" programs will allow for implementing the principles of free movement of citizens, goods, capital, and services across the borders of the countries involved. The president underlined the importance of creating a comprehensive free trade area in the region based on WTO norms and rules.

The Ukrainian head of state also emphasized the importance of implementation of a new energy policy both in this region and in Europe as a whole to be based on "clear rules applicable to all and equal access to energy sources".

The president confirmed the invitation for all those present to take part in the Energy Summit on May 22 and 23 in Kyiv. "The elaboration of principles of a common energy policy will be one of the top issues on its agenda," the president disclosed.

Another priority point of cooperation between the EU and the countries of the Black Sea region, according to Mr. Yushchenko, lies in efficient use of the unique transiting potential of the region.

"In this context we see substantial prospects for realization of the Eurasian Transport Corridor project and other key initiatives capable of helping the region integrate successfully into the global economic space," the president specified.

As a separate priority Mr. Yushchenko named the strengthening of humanitarian contacts, cultural dialog and cooperation in common social challenges and support for democratic processes. The head of state also noted the need to step up efforts for improving the state of ecological safety and environmental protection.

In conclusion, the president expressed a conviction that upcoming joint projects will allow to create a new dimension of international cooperation both in the Black Sea region and in a wider European perspective.

"Ukraine was, is and will be a reliable partner of the countries of the Black Sea region and the EU and will actively implement its integration tasks," the Ukrainian head of state said.

UKRINFORM