У рамках офіційного візиту керівника українського зовнішньополітичного відомства до Естонської Республіки відбулися переговори Міністрів закордонних справ України Костянтина Грищенка та Естонії Урмаса Паета

Communiqué

of the meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs

of Ukraine and the Republic of Estonia

Tallinn, 12 October 2011

The meeting of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Kostyantyn Gryshchenko and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia Urmas Paet was held on 12 October 2011 in Tallinn in order to discuss the issues of mutual interest. The Parties confirmed their good and dynamic relations and stated that both Ukraine and Estonia are committed to further continuation and strengthening of their bilateral affairs.

They noted with satisfaction that Ukraine and Estonia share the same views on many key issues of the international agenda, which creates prerequisites for enhancing the bilateral and multilateral dialogue within the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe and other international organizations and fora.

The Parties agreed:

Strengthening the political dialogue:

The Ministers stressed that official visits between the leadership of the two countries will give a further impulse to the development of the Ukrainian-Estonian cooperation.

They expressed the need of active parliamentary exchanges between the two countries and welcomed the formation of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups in the two Parliaments.

The Ministers expressed mutual interest in maintaining a high level of interaction between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries in pursuing a continuous and constructive Ministerial-level dialogue. They stressed importance of continuing the practice of regular political consultations at the level of MFA department directors as an effective mechanism for exchange of views on the international situation and the various aspects of bilateral relations.

In the field of the European integration:

Estonia reaffirmed its consistent support of the European integration of Ukraine in conformity with the set principles, including the aspiration according to the Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union. Ukraine reconfirmed its aim of full compliance with the European values and principles. The Parties agreed that this would contribute to the strengthening of all-European stability, security and prosperity.

The Parties emphasized the importance of concluding the Ukraine-EU negotiations on the Association Agreement, including the Agreement on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area by the end of 2011 as an important step on the way of anchoring Ukraine into the process of EU integration. Estonia supports the eventual introduction of a visa-free regime between Ukraine and the EU.

The Parties expressed their interest in continuing cooperation and consultations on issues related to the European integration of Ukraine that include democracy and the rule of law, protecting human rights, embedding market economy principles, transparency and supporting reforms that provide basis for the implementation of the Association Agreement.

The Parties reaffirmed that Eastern Partnership provides a good framework for further deepening of cooperation between the EU and the Partner Countries. The Parties emphasized the need for further ambitious development of the Eastern Partnership in order to increase its effectiveness as an instrument supporting the internal reforms in the Partner Countries, including Ukraine.

In this context, The Parties highlighted the activities of the newly created Estonian Center of Eastern Partnership that aims to strengthen public sector reforms. In order to make full use of the opportunities provided by the Centre, the Parties agreed to continue their cooperation in this framework.

The Parties welcomed the results of the Second Eastern Partnership Summit which took place in Warsaw on September 29-30, 2011. They confirmed their willingness to cooperate closely in preparation of the roadmap for further development of the Eastern Partnership.

In the field of bilateral agreements:

The Parties have agreed to sign the Agreement between Ukraine and the Republic of Estonia regarding the terms and conditions of the location of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia and the terms and conditions of the location of the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Ukraine.

In the field of security and cooperation in international fora:

The Parties spoke in favor of a wider use of multilateral approaches in addressing global and regional problems and the shaping of a financial architecture that will help to create stable and predictable economic conditions facilitating the development of states.

The Parties will promote stability and security in the whole region through cooperation with all OSCE participating States, OSCE institutions and field operations. They agree to consult and will continue to exchange views on the priorities of Ukraine and the EU in the OSCE and will jointly work for the solution of protracted conflicts, while respecting the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Parties agreed to consult and will continue to exchange views on the priorities of Ukraine and Estonia in the OSCE, including in the context of Ukraine’s Chairmanship in the OSCE in 2013.

The Ministers stressed the importance of the soonest solution of the Transnistria problem in the Republic of Moldova on the basis of safeguarding its sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova.

Estonia expressed satisfaction with the process of implementation of the priorities of Ukrainian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The Parties emphasized the necessity to deepen coordination between the Council of Europe and other international organizations to promote coherence in their activities in order to further expand the area of democracy, stability, human rights and the rule of law.

The Parties shall support further strengthening of constructive and result-oriented partnership between Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Special attention shall be paid to active political dialogue and practical cooperation, in particular in the framework of the Ukraine-NATO Commission, as well as to implementing the Annual National Programs.

The Parties noted the necessity to progressively develop international cooperation in combating global climate change under the aegis of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

In the field of energy and transport cooperation:

The Parties will mutually support their respective objectives and projects leading to energy security, as well as integration of Ukraine into European energy markets, primarily under the framework of the Energy Community and in accordance with the future Association Agreement. They agreed to develop close cooperation in conformity with their obligations under international treaties, and welcomed the efforts of all States to pursue their nuclear energy projects in a transparent way, strictly following international standards and recommendations, particularly requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Espoo Convention.

The Parties will further support the development of the transportation routes in order to enhance economic viability of transport connections between the Baltic and Black Sea regions.

At the same time Parties are ready to continue their close and effective cooperation in the field of modernization and simplification of border and customs crossing, aiming at harmonizing Ukraine’s customs with EU practice and increasing competitiveness and the smooth functioning of the above mentioned transport corridors.

In the field of trade and economic cooperation:

The Parties noted with satisfaction that over the last decade with just few exceptional periods the amount of trade, also in technology-intensive goods, has risen. Ukraine and Estonia expressed their interest in further increasing the economic cooperation and trade turnover by agreeing that practical solutions to improve conditions for trade, economic cooperation and investments will strengthen bilateral cooperation between the Parties. Ukraine and Estonia commit themselves to solve the existing hindrances in a constructive and speedy manner.

The Ministers recognized the need to raise Ukrainian-Estonian trade and economic ties and investment cooperation to a new level corresponding to the real capabilities of the two countries, including through strengthening their legal framework. In this connection the Ministers noted the key role of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Industrial, Scientific and Technical Cooperation as a tool to deepen economic relations between the two countries. They stressed the importance of the upcoming second session of the Intergovernmental Commission, which is scheduled to take place by the end of 2011 in Kyiv.

In the field of regional cooperation:

The Parties recognized the importance of Ukrainian-Estonian interregional cooperation and will encourage further cooperation between municipalities and regions at all levels.

In the field of cultural and educational cooperation:

Ukraine and Estonia confirmed the importance of maintaining and strengthening the friendly cooperation in the domain of culture, education. The Parties will undertake all necessary efforts and measures to avoid and solve any appearing obstacles to that end.

The Parties are looking forward for finalization and signing of a new program of cooperation between the Ministries of culture of Ukraine and the Republic of Estonia.