Brussels, 23/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Swedish EU Council Presidency presented, on Monday, its working programme for the implementation of the EU's common strategy with regard to Ukraine, a paper that stresses that the preparation for EU enlargement up to the borders of Ukraine is an essential concern. The two other priorities are cooperation regarding illegal immigration and other forms of organised crime, and support to greater local and regional autonomy. As for Russia, the Swedish Presidency proposes to examine the possibility of creating a public data bank of all actions undertaken by the Community and the Member Sates, in order to give a better overall picture and increase transparency.
The Swedish document is based on the priorities determined in Helsinki in December 1999:
- Aid to the transition to democracy, with emphasis placed on support to the media, the creation of the function of mediator, and the development of institutions, as well as reform of the legal system, and on NGOs (mainly through the TACIS programme).
- Aid to economic change. The EU will continue to support different reforms, including those of the gas and electricity markets. It may support reform projects pertaining to the agricultural sector and should also support projects intended to encourage national and foreign investment in Ukraine.
- Ensuring stability and security. Security and enhanced political dialogue will be on the agenda of the visit by a EU Troika to Kiev on 13 February, the EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council in May and other meetings.
- Raising common challenges facing the European continent. This means cooperation in the field of the environment, energy and nuclear safety.
- Support for enhanced cooperation between the EU and Ukraine in the context of EU enlargement. The EU plans to support Ukraine's candidacy to the WTO, cooperate with it in the field of justice and home affairs, and encourage regional cooperation.