Joint Statement of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and Ukraine
24.03.2009 / 12:35
On the occasion of the official visit of the President of Ukraine to the Czech Republic, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and Ukraine take note with satisfaction that the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries, based on mutual respect and partnership, have the high potential for their further intensification and deepening. At the same time, Ministries express the will on both sides for enhanced cooperation between the two countries in the areas of common interest.
The Ministries are also satisfied by the excessive number of mutual contacts and visits as well as the holding of consultations between the respective Ministries and other state authorities. They will aim into sustaining the level and the frequency of the mutual dialogue.
The bilateral relations and cooperation between the Czech Republic and Ukraine serve the interest of both countries and contribute also to the development of cooperation on the multilateral level. Both countries are firmly committed to strengthening the regional stability and development.
The Czech Republic welcomes and fully supports Ukraine’s aspirations in the field of European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Ukraine’s deepening co-operation with the European Union is an important element of the ongoing transformation process in Eastern Europe. The Czech Republic welcomes the positive progress of negotiations on the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine. The Czech Republic and Ukraine hope that the current pace of negotiations will be sustained so that the agreement, ambitious and balanced in its nature, reflecting the privileged EU – Ukraine partnership, could be concluded soon. The Czech Republic believes that Ukraine’s European ambitions should be addressed in a positive manner in order to promote the desirable political and economic reforms and, to contribute to the success of Ukraine’s transformation process.
The Czech Republic supports Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership and positively assesses the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Ukraine and NATO. The Czech Republic welcomes the recent decision of Allied Foreign Ministers that NATO will maximize its advice, support and assistance in needed reforms as Ukraine progress towards NATO membership. The Czech Republic believes that the Annual National Programme will advance the reform process and should be therefore used to its full extent. The Czech Republic also expresses its readiness to assist Ukraine in the domain of communication with the public on the issues of Euro-Atlantic integration and NATO-Ukraine cooperation.
24 March 2009, Czech Republic