On 29 September 2010 in Brussels Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mr. Pavlo Klimkin took part in the meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament dedicated to Ukraine-EU relations. At the meeting Deputy Foreign Ministers commended EP support of European aspirations of Ukraine and called on members of the European Parliament to support Ukraine’s bid for European integration.

From Ukraine were also present Mr. Borys Tarasyuk, head of the Committee on European Integration of the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) of Ukraine and co-chair of Ukraine-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, and Mr. Leonid Kozhara, deputy chair of the Ukrainian part of Ukraine-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee.

During the meeting of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs, which ensemble numerous members of the European Parliament, actual issues of relations between Ukraine and the European Union were discussed, especially in view of the forthcoming Ukraine-EU Summit on 22 November this year.

The Deputy Foreign Minister informed members of the European Parliament on key priorities of Ukraine in its relations with the EU, among which were pointed out the finalization of the negotiations on the Association Agreement including the deep and comprehensive free trade area, visa free dialogue, the implementation of the Association Agenda between Ukraine and the EU and energy dialogue.

Apart from the issues related to Ukraine-EU relations, members of the European parliament voiced their expectations for further strengthening of democratic development of Ukraine along EU standards and norms, which will assist in Ukraine’s convergence with the EU.