Within the framework of the International Conference on Afghanistan, which is taking place in London, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine P.Poroshenko had a meeting with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-president of the European Commission Catherine Margaret Ashton. P.Poroshenko informed his colleague about current preparations to the second tour of the presidential elections, which will be held on 7 February 2010.

The Parties agreed that holding the democratic and impartial elections will speed up the process of the rapprochement of Ukraine to the EU. The High representative of the EU confirmed that building up the relations with Ukraine will be one of the priorities of her foreign policy activities.

P. Poroshenko and C. Ashton have agreed that the main task for further Ukraine – EU relations should be to conclude the Association agreement, which includes deepen and comprehensive free trade zone, and to intensify sectoral integration of Ukraine into EU.

A particular attention was given to the settlement of the unsettled conflicts both in immediate neighborhood and in Afghanistan. In this regard, C.Ashton expressed her satisfaction with the participation of Ukraine in stabilization processes on the territory of Afghanistan, and also with the active position of Ukraine at London Conference.

P.Poroshenko invited C.Ashton to visit Ukraine. In response, she confirmed the readiness to pay such a visit in nearest future.