Ukrainian CEI Presidency 2012: Consultations in Kiev

Wed, 16/11/2011

In preparation of the upcoming Ukrainian Presidency in 2012, Secretary General, Amb. Gerhard Pfanzelter was received in Kiev by Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kostyantyn Gryshchenko on 11 November 2011.

During his meetings, both the Ukrainian Head of Government and the Head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed their strong commitment to the Central European Initiative and their special satisfaction to lead the CEI in 2012. Moreover, they expressed full support to the core CEI missions to promote regional cooperation for European integration and to act as a bridge between macro regions. 

While expressing his appreciation for the organization of the recently held CEI Summit in Belgrade, Prime Minister Azarov highlighted that he would be ready to work with other Heads of Government with regard to a further development of  the CEI. He paid particular attention to exploiting the fact that the CEI will be granted UN observer status, to the creation of the CEI Civil Society Network as well as to the territorial extension of the Organization. He also highlighted that “in the light of the recent financial crisis where many countries are facing the same problems, the organization of a Meeting of the Ministers of Finance for developing innovative measures is crucial”.    Minister Gryshchenko confirmed Ukraine’s commitment to the development of multilateral cooperation within the CEI framework. He stressed that special attention ought to be paid to addressing the needs of CEI non-EU Member States, “the perspective of EU integration continues to be the strongest motivation for Ukraine”, emphasized the Minister. He also stressed that Ukraine considers the European Strategy for the Danube Region (ESDR) an important initiative aimed at enhancing regional cooperation in the Danube area. He especially highlighted that an institutional cooperation with the European Union and formalization of relations between the CEI and the EC should remain one of the main priorities of the Initiative.   In view of the upcoming Ukrainian Presidency in 2012, they also pointed out that the Ukrainian Government had already started preparatory arrangements. In this regard, a Government Organizational Committee has been established and the calendar of events drafted: the priority areas regard cooperation in the field of transport, tourism, cross-border mobility and infrastructure.   Ambassador Pfanzelter expressed full confidence in a very fruitful cooperation and pledged strong support to the incoming Ukrainian Presidency.   For more information: arsova@cei-es.org                         from left: Ambassador Pfanzelter and Prime Minister Azarov                

 

 

 

     from left: Ambassador Pfanzelter and Minister Gryshchenko

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