OSCE PA backs signing of EU-Ukraine association agreement The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Wolfgang Grossruck (left) visited Ukraine on the invitation of the OSCE Chairmanin-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Leonid Kozhara (right). He met with the President of Ukraine Victor Yanukovych, the Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Leonid Kozhara in Kyiv. In the course of the meetings Wolfgang Grossruck stressed that the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE supports the signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU.
Turn to Page 2 also in this issue:
Great Britain wants to see Ukraine in European Union Page 4
US-Ukrainian Antares rocket launched successfully Page 5
London’s largest, most colourful charity fair! Page 6
Ukraine Digest, Thursday, April 25, 2013
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ukraine - osce
Leonid Kozhara discussed the OSCE activities with the Parliamentary Assembly President Wolfgang Grossruck
Ukraine hopes OSCE PA will support its proposals
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KRAINE as a country that currently presides in the OSCE is interested in cooperation with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on all topical issues of the agenda. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said this at a meeting with Acting President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Wolfgang Grossruck on April 22. “We consider Ukraine’s presidency in the OSCE a great opportunity to contribute to strengthening of stability and security in the region,” the President of Ukraine Victor Yanukovych noted. The Head of State emphasized that
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HE PARLIAMENTARY Assembly of the OSCE supports the signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, Wolfgang Grossruck said at a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov in Kyiv on April 23. “We and the Austrian parliament in person will support Ukraine in the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU. We highly appreciate the reforms that are being carried out in Ukraine, and we’re grateful to you for taking into account the recommendations that we pro-
Ukraine was willing to hold constructive cooperation with states-members of the OSCE. “We are trying to hold open and topical discussion with statesmembers of the OSCE on the priorities of organization’s functioning suggested by Ukraine,” Viktor Yanukovych said. He expressed his hope that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will support the proposals of Ukraine regarding priorities in the activity of the organization. The President also expressed belief that the new delegation of Ukraine in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly would actively participate in its work.
OSCE PA backs signing of EU-Ukraine association agreement vide. And I want to assure you on behalf of the OSCE PA that we will continue to support you,” Grossruck said. He noted that Ukraine is an active member of the OSCE and thanked the country for its active position during the chairmanship of the organization. “I want to thank Ukraine for its chairmanship of the OSCE and for its active position that it adopted,” Grossruck said. PM Azarov, in turn, assured Grossruck that Ukraine would continue to pay significant attention to cooperation with the OSCE.
During the meeting the two sides discussed the OSCE activities under the Ukrainian Chairmanship, implementation of priorities of the Ukrainian Chairmanship, as well as possible contribution of the OSCE PA in fulfilling the tasks facing the Organization. Addressing the importance of strengthening the OSCE authority in the area of election observation in all OSCE participating states, Minister Leonid Kozhara welcomed the reactivation of the 1997 Cooperation Agreement between OSCE PA and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. From his side, on behalf of the Parliamentary Assemby Wolfgang Grossruck expressed support for priorities of the Ukrainian Chairmanship and thanked for Ukraine’s constructive role in achieving the goals and tasks of the Organization. Wolfgang Grossruck, OSCE PA President “Ukraine’s chairmanship of the OSCE indicates that the country respects all the principles and values of the Organization”
OSCE notes Ukraine’s active effort on penitentiary, judicial reform Wolfgang Grossruck notes the active work of the Ukrainian government to reform the penitentiary system and the judiciary. “The Ukrainian government today is paying extremely great attention and actively working to reform the penitentiary service and the judiciary in order to address the issues regarding politicians who are in prison. And we expect the positive signals in this regard,” he said. www.ukremb.org.uk
Ukraine Digest, Thursday, April 25, 2013
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european integration
Ukraine needs Europe, and Europe needs Ukraine Martin Schulz, President of European Parliament: “We agree that Ukraine should remain as close as possible to the European Union”
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UROPEAN Parliament President Martin Schulz said this at a joint press conference with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski in Warsaw on Saturday, Ukrinform reported. “We agree that Ukraine
should remain as close as possible to the EU. Ukraine needs Europe, and Europe needs Ukraine,” Schultz said. He drew attention to the fact that over 60% of young Ukrainians support their country’s integration with the EU. “This is what gives us optimism,” the European Parliament President said. Bronislaw Komorowski noted that the extension of the European Parliament’s monitoring mission of former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski and former European Parliament President Pat Cox in Ukraine was also the merit of Schulz.
Ukraine has made many steps towards association with EU
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KRAINE last month made many steps towards signing the Association Agreement with the European Union. A representative of the European Parliament’s monitoring mission Aleksander Kwasniewski, said this in Strasbourg on April 18. “We see that many steps forward have already been made,” he said and praised the unblocking of the work of the Verkhovna Rada as well as the approval by the Ukrainian parliament of the necessary legislation on European integration. Another representative of the European Parlia-
Aleksander Kwasniewski, former Polish President
ment’s monitoring mission, Pat Cox added that the release of former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko is a clear signal of Ukraine’s desire to sign the AA with the EU. President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz said that all political groups in the EU’s legislative body had supported the initiative on the development of new formats to expand political dialogue with Ukraine.
European leaders welcome Ukraine’s commitment to EU integration
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ore European leaders welcomed the move by the European Parliament to extend its observation mission in Ukraine, with former European Commission President Romano Prodi saying that the extension “is proof that dialogue works better than attempts to isolate Ukraine.” Former President of the PACE Mevlut Cavusoglu said on April 22 that the extension of the European Parliament mission by former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski and former European Parliament President
Pat Cox was “a very positive development because it shows that European institutions should engage more actively with Ukraine.” The mission’s extension, which came after Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovuch pardoned convicted opposition politician Yuriy Lutsenko and five others, also resulted from the European Parliament’s acknowledgement that Ukraine was making a good faith effort to pass reform legislation that will pave the way toward deeper European integration. Prodi said he hoped the European Union and
Ukraine would sign a farranging Association Agreement later this year. “With the recent pardon and release of Yuriy Lutsenko and others, and reforms being put through the parliament, Ukraine is showing itself to be serious and in good faith about European integration,” said Prodi in a statement. “I have said in the past that Ukraine represents an opportunity for the European Union and progress toward a range of reforms should accelerate once Ukraine is brought into the European fold, starting with the signing of an Association Agreement.”
Romano Prodi, former PACE’s President: “Ukraine is showing itself to be serious and in good faith about European integration”
Prodi stressed that Ukraine could be an attractive market for European exports as well as “a bridge between the EU and Russia.” He said deeper European integration would help foster Ukraine’s evolving democracy, which was in Europe’s interests as well as Ukraine’s. www.ukremb.org.uk
Ukraine Digest, Thursday, April 25, 2013
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ukraine - eu
EU has taken one more step towards visa liberalization for Ukrainians
UK wants to see Ukraine in EU
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KRAINIAN Prime Minister Mykola Azarov met with Chairman of the British Ukrainian Society Lord Risby and British Ambassador to Ukraine Simon Smith on April 18 and discussed the deepening of cooperation in all areas. “We understand that Ukraine is an integral part of the European family the European states. And we want you to be part of this family,” Risby said, adding that Britain will support Ukraine’s EU integration aspirations. Azarov said that Ukraine had implemented the adopted action plan on preparations for signing the Association Agreement and that the relevant laws
Leonid Kozhara, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister
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Ukraine’s PM Mykola Azarov: “We were actively modernizing the economy, so at this stage many British companies could invest in Ukraine”
had been adopted in parliament ahead of the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November 2013. The politicians also expressed their readiness to enhance cooperation in the field of aviation, energy and the economy, in particular, to increase bilateral trade and investment. Azarov said that the state was actively modernizing the economy, so at this stage many British companies could use their investment in Ukraine.
HE EUROPEAN Parliament’s decision on the ratification of the amended visa facilitation agreement between Ukraine and the EU is a step towards the complete cancellation of the visa regime for Ukrainian citizens. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara told this to reporters in Kyiv, while commenting on such a decision by the European Parliament. “The current agreement is one more step towards the cancellation of the visa regime with the European Union,” Kozhara said. The foreign minister recalled that the current agreement replaces the previous documents and greatly expands the list of persons enjoying the visa-free regime. The document simplifies the procedure for Ukrainian citizens to obtain Schengen visas, in particular, optimizes the list and number of documents to be submitted for visas.
EU integration of Ukraine discussed in London
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n April 19, 2013 the Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK Volodymyr Khandogiy held a meeting with David Campbell Bannerman, Member of the European Parliament for the East England. The issues of the European integration of Ukraine were discussed at the meeting, in particular the prospects
David Campbell Bannerman, MEP for East England
Volodymyr Khandogiy, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UK
of signing the Association Agreement at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November 2013. Ambassador Khandogiy
made his counterpart familiar with the progress of Ukraine on the implementation of the EU FAC recommendations of December 10, 2013.
Mr Khandogiy and Mr Bannerman discussed the recent developments in the European Parliament with regard to Ukraine. Among them are the approval by the European Parliament of the Agreement on the facilitation of visa issuance to the Ukrainian citizens and the KwasniewskiCox mission’s report presented in Strasbourg on the day before the meeting. www.ukremb.org.uk
Ukraine Digest, Thursday, April 18, 2013
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space industry
US-Ukrainian Antares rocket launched successfully on Sunday
The successful launch of the Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket is a result of fruitful cooperation of the Ukraine and the USA space industry
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pril 21 the Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket has been successfully launched from the spaceport at Wallops Island, Virginia. The Antares rocket was developed by U.S. Orbital Sciences Corporation in cooperation with Ukraine’s Yuzhnoye SDO and Yuzhmash. Under the contract, the Ukrainian side ensured the design and construction of the first stage of the rocket,
Sunday’s test-flight required the two-stage Antares rocket raise itself to an altitude of about 255km where it jettisoned a dummy payload.That 3.8-tonne test mass was intended to simulate the Cygnus cargo ship, which will make its maiden outing on the next launch of the rocket.
whereas the U.S. side was responsible for the second stage, ground infrastructure and marketing. Funding for the program is carried out with NASA’s participation. The White House statement noted that the growing potential of America’s commercial space industry
and NASA’s use of publicprivate partnerships are central to President Barack Obama’s strategy to ensure U.S. leadership in space exploration while pushing the bounds of scientific discovery and innovation in the 21st century. In 2012 Ukraine’s space
THE ANTARES ROCKET carrier was developed by Orbital Science Corporation (USA) in the framework of international cooperation with participation of Ukraine. It contains of two stages and the Cygnus resupply spacecraft. The main construction of the first stage of the Antares rocket carrier was developed by the Yuzhnoye SDO, which designed also the Zenit series. The production was held by the Yuzhny Ma-
enterprises produced six Zenit launch vehicles, including for the Sea Start, the Land Start projects and for the Russian Space Agency. For the last 20 years 128 launches of rocket carriers of Ukrainian production were made that led to the orbit over 250 spacecrafts.
chine-Building Plant (Yuzhmash) in cooperation with Ukrainian enterprises Khartron-Arkos, Kyivprylad, Khartron-Yukom, Chezara, Rapid, and also with Russian enterprises. The core provided by Yuzhnoye includes propellant tanks, pressurization tanks, valves, sensors, feed lines, tubing, wiring and other associated hardware. Like Zenit, the Antares vehicle will have a 3.90 m (154 in) diameter. It will have a 3.9 m diameter payload fairing. www.ukremb.org.uk
Ukraine Digest, Thursday, April 25, 2013
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upcoming events
LONDON’S LARGEST, MOST COLOURFUL CHARITY FAIR!
CFAB’s International Spring Fair & Food Festival 2013, 14th and 15th May 2013
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HILDREN and Families Across Borders’ International Spring Fair opens its doors for the 54th time on the 14th and 15th May 2013 at Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall. Every year over 80 Diplomatic missions take part by hosting a stall which sells products and food that are exclusive to their nation. Ukrainian souvenirs will also be available. Diplomatic Mission of Ukraine prepared an exciting array of national crafts and products of our national producers. The International Spring Fair raises funds for Children and Families Across Borders (CFAB), a unique UK-based charity and part of the International Social Service (ISS) network which has branches in over 120 countries and helps to protect and promote the rights of children and vulnerable adults across international borders. CFAB’s unique role is recognised worldwide by
Ukrainian stall at the CFAB festival last year
Governments, local authorities in the UK, Courts, and other major NGOs such as NSPCC and Save the Children. In 2011 the charity provided direct assistance to over 2,000 children and families and as the UK is now the most ‘global’ of all Western economies the demand for their work has reached record levels. On Wednesday 15th May at 4:30pm the raffle draw takes place with the fantastic prizes to be won: - Two complimentary London-Kyiv return flight tickets courtesy of Ukrainian International Airlines (UIA) the leading award winning airline of our
country. The prize donated by the sponsor of the event – UIA; - A romantic weekend for two in Croatia including return flights and 5* hotel accommodation on the beautiful Adriatic coast; The raffle provides visitors with the opportunity to walk away with other amazing prizes, including hotel stays, luxury hampers, meals at exclusive restaurants. Raffle tickets are now on sale and only cost £2! Please, write press@ukremb.org.uk to have your ticket to win one (or two) of the amazing prizes. Spring Fair & Food Festival Details Date: Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th May 2013 Time: Tuesday (open to the public from 7:30- 9:30pm) and Wednesday (11 am5pm) Venue: Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8. Tube: High Street Kensington Cost: £5 entry/ £2 students
Maestro Gryshko’s Spring Concerts The famous Ukrainian tenor Volodymyr Gryshko perfoms the Spring Concerts in London and Manchester 26 April 7:30pm, Manchester [details] 27 April 7:30pm, Old Town Hall Dnister, London [details]
VOLODYMYR GRYSHKO is bright phenomenon of Slavic modern culture, last apprentice of For more information, please, contact Oksana Kyzyma, Press Secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine to the UK
legendary maestro Luciano Pavarotti, singer and composer. Range is two-line and half octave, charge of absolute positive and spirits, which receive admirers and connoisseurs of his unusual talent on the concerts. Amplitude of his repertoire is unique – from classics up to estrade. Tel.: 020 7727 6312 E-mail: press@ukremb.org.uk Address: 60 Holland Park, London W11 3SJ
Issue #9, April 25, 2013 In the preparation of this issue materials of UKRINFORM were used