Brussels, 06/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - The seventh summit between the European Union and Ukraine is being held on Tuesday in Yalta. It will be attended by Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, Council President Silvio Berlusconi, European Commission President Romano Prodi, External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten and EU High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana. During the summit, both parties will take stock of the possibilities provided by EU policy towards the "Wider Europe" for strengthening relations. An agreement renewing the technological and scientific cooperation agreement between the EU and Ukraine will be signed during the summit.
The aim of EU policy towards its new neighbours after its enlargement is to set in place a cooperation framework between the EU and its new neighbours, a framework that is adjusted to each country. Last week, after a meeting with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Enlargement Commissioner Günther Verheugen had pointed out that the Commission would be able to present an action plan for Ukraine (to implement the new EU policy) early 2004 (EUROPE of 3 October, p.14). The summit will provide an opportunity for the EU to invite Ukraine to fully take part in its new neighbourliness policy as well as in development of the action plan. The EU, however, will stress that this policy must be accompanied by reforms (political, economic and institutional) on the part of Ukraine, improved bilateral cooperation and settlement of their commercial differences mainly with regards investment conditions.
The other issues on the agenda are: - presidential elections in Ukraine, scheduled for next year, which will give Ukraine the opportunity to show how the situation has improved concerning freedom of the press and the unfolding of the ballot; - the impact of enlargement on relations between the EU and Ukraine, mainly extension of the EU/Ukraine Association and Partnership Agreement to the future Member States; - nuclear safety and, above all, the EU's concern further to the Ukrainian government's decision to leave the international project aimed at closing down the nuclear reactor K2R4 in order to ensure a high level of safety; - the international situation and above all the conflicts in Transnistria (secessionist republic of Moldova), Iraq and the Middle East; - judicial and police cooperation and mainly the conclusion of a readmission agreement (repatriation of illegal immigrants); - and the transition of Ukraine toward a market economy.