Luxembourg, 26/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the EU restated that it supports Ukraine's "European direction". It also stressed, however, the intensified bilateral relations that necessarily go hand in hand with consolidation of reforms in this country. "The EU is willing to pursue and intensify its cooperation with Ukraine, but the continuation of economic and political reforms is necessary", said Anna Lindh at the close of the EU/Ukraine Cooperation Council, on Tuesday in Luxembourg, in the presence of the new Ukrainian Prime Minister, Anatoly Kinakh. In addition, a "strong civil society", an independent and free press, and the respect of democratic principles and individual freedoms are also "essential" elements for Ukraine on the road to European integration, said Ms Lindh.
The Cooperation Council identifies six priority sectors in which - in the context of implementation of the common strategy for Ukraine - work in progress over the next twelve months should focus on: energy, trade, justice and home affairs, alignment of Ukraine's legislation on that of the EU, protection of the environment, and transport. As far as energy is concerned, the Ukrainian Prime Minister told the press that the EU has given its assurance that Ukraine should be part of the energy partnership in the long term, a partnership that the Union plans to implement with Russia. "I am pleased to be able to say that, during the meeting of the Cooperation Council, the EU confirmed that Ukraine is considered as being an integral part of the long-term strategy aimed at securing Europe's energy supplies", said Mr Kinakh. Furthermore, he confirmed that Ukraine backs EU enlargement towards the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, on condition that Ukraine does not have to "suffer" in its economic, commercial and civil relations (free movement of persons, etc) with the enlarged EU. To this end, Ukraine mainly proposes facilitating the visa system.