Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Kostyantyn Gryshchenko met with European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule within his working visit to Ukraine

On January 11, 2010 Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Kostyantyn Gryshchenko met with European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule within his working visit to Ukraine.

Visit of the European Commissioner was the first event within high-level political dialogue between Ukraine - EU in 2011.

The sides noted the high dynamics of bilateral relations in 2010 and expressed their mutual interest in further deepening cooperation in 2011.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine underlined that securing adequate progress in the negotiations on Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, including establishment of deep and comprehensive free trade area remains a key priority of Ukraine’s relations with the European Union. In this context it was emphasized that achieving great progress in negotiation process in the near future is the common goal of Ukraine and the EU.

Kostyantyn Gryshchenko and Stefan Fule also discussed ways of cooperation aimed at implementation of the Action Plan on Visa Liberalization for Ukraine. Strong willingness of the Ukrainian side to do its "homework" was emphasized. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine informed the interlocutor of the preparations for the Action Plan implementation, including the establishment of the Coordination Committee under the Prime Minister of Ukraine. Until the end of January the Committee is to submit National Plan for 2011 to implement the Action Plan to the approval of the President of Ukraine.

In this context the European Commissioner confirmed the EU’s commitment to provide the necessary support to the Ukrainian side.

Cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the energy sector was discussed, particularly with a view of Ukraine’s accession to the Energy Community Treaty in February.

Special attention was paid to public administration reform that is currently underway in Ukraine. In this regard, Stefan Fule positively evaluated the fact that the planned measures are aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and speeding up reforms in all spheres of public life in Ukraine.

Important role in the discussion was devoted to further activities providing for strengthening fundamental rights and freedoms, the rule of law, improving the investment climate.