Brussels, 27/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will visit Ukraine on Monday 30 March for his first bilateral visit to a third country since he took up office. He will be accompanied by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. Juncker had announced on 5 November that his first bilateral trip would be to Ukraine - but he did not at that time state when this would take place (see EUROPE 11191).
During their visit, Juncker and Mogherini will meet Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the leader of the Verhovna Rada (the Ukrainian Parliament) - Volodymyr Groysman, and the heads of the political groups.
Juncker has also been invited to co-chair the National Reform Council with Poroshenko. This was created in 2014 to carry out strategic planning and coordinate the positions on the introduction of the reform policy in Ukraine. It comprises the prime minister and ministers, the head of the Ukrainian national bank, the leader of the Verhovna Rada and the heads of its committees, the representative of the consultative council for reforms and four representatives from civil associations. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)