В МЗС України під спільним головуванням Радника Президента України - Керівника Головного управління з питань судоустрою Адміністрації Президента України Андрія Портнова та заступника помічника Державного секретаря США з питань демократії, прав людини та праці Томаса Меліа відбулось третє засідання українсько-американської Робочої групи з питань політичного діалогу та верховенства права
The third session of the Ukraine – USA Working Group on the Political Dialogue and the Rule of Law was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
On May 16, 2012, the third session of the Ukraine – USA Working Group on the Political Dialogue and the Rule of Law was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The meeting was co-chaired by Adviser to the President of Ukraine - Head of the Main Department for Judicial System Affairs Mr. Andriy Portnov and the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Mr. Thomas Melia.
The Ukrainian Side was represented by Advisor to the President of Ukraine - Representative of the President to the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Ms. Olena Lukash, Adviser to the President of Ukraine - Head of the Department of Constitutional and Legal Modernization of the Administration of the President of Ukraine Ms. Maryna Stavniychuk, high-ranking representatives of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The American Side was also represented by the US Ambassador to Ukraine Mr. John Tefft, representatives of the Office of the US Agency for International Development in Ukraine, the US Department of Justice, and the USA National Democratic Institute. Representatives of non-governmental organizations of Ukraine took part in the session as observers.
During the meeting, there was a frank exchange of views on important issues of internal development of Ukraine and the USA. In particular, the Sides discussed the process of constitutional reform and the preparation for parliamentary elections in Ukraine, the development of civil society, judicial reform, and fighting corruption.
The American Side was informed about the steps taken by the Ukrainian authorities in implementing legal reforms. The US delegation, in its turn, presented the informed about the specifics of the preparation for presidential elections in their country that will be held next November.
The meeting of the Working Group demonstrated willingness of the Ukrainian and US Sides to pursue a frank and substantial dialogue.
The Ukrainian-American Working Group on Political Dialogue and the Rule of Law was established in accordance with the joint decision taken by Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and the USA at the second meeting of the Ukrainian-American Strategic Partnership Commission in July 2010.
Activities of the Ukrainian-American Working Group on Political Dialogue and the Rule of Law constitute yet another important step towards practical implementation of the Ukraine – USA Charter on Strategic Partnership signed in Washington D.C. in 2008.