 Office of the Spokesman
U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C.
U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC)
Washington, D.C., Thursday, February 16, 2011
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1. JOINT STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE THIRD SESSION OF THE UNITED STATES-UKRAINE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP COMMISSION
Office of the Spokesman, U.S. Department of State, Wash, D.C., Tue, Feb 15, 2011
2. THIRD MEETING OF THE U.S.-UKRAINE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP COMMISSION AND SIGNING OF A COOPERATIVE PLAN ON COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN UKRAINE
Remarks: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko
The Thomas Jefferson Room, US Department of State, Wash, DC, Tue, Feb 15, 2011
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1. JOINT STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE THIRD SESSION OF THE UNITED STATES-UKRAINE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP COMMISSION
Office of the Spokesman, U.S. Department of State, Wash, D.C., Tue, Feb 15, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham
Clinton and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko convened
the third session of the U.S.-Ukraine Strategic Partnership Commission
on February 15 in Washington, DC. The Commission’s aim is to further
strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The mandate of the Commission is to make concrete progress toward
achieving the broad goals of the U.S.-Ukraine Charter on Strategic
Partnership in the areas of nuclear security and non-proliferation,
political dialogue and rule of law, energy security, trade and
investment, security cooperation, and science and technology.
The Ukrainian party reaffirmed that the development of this
strategic partnership remains one of its key foreign policy priorities.
The U.S. party reiterated its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty,
independence and territorial integrity, and reaffirmed its readiness to
assist with Ukraine’s political, economic, defense, and security
reforms.
Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Gryshchenko underlined both
parties’ commitment to securing all vulnerable nuclear materials and to
increasing cooperation in nuclear security and non-proliferation. They
welcomed the substantial progress made toward implementation of the
Joint Statement issued by the Presidents of Ukraine and the United
States during the 2010 Nuclear Security Summit. In December 2010, a
substantial amount of Ukraine’s highly-enriched uranium was removed,
with support from the United States.
The Ukrainian party reconfirmed its commitment to get rid of its
remaining highly-enriched uranium by the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit.
The U.S. party reconfirmed its commitment to provide necessary
technical and financial assistance valued at approximately $50 million
by the time of the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit as part of this effort,
including financial and other resources necessary for the construction
of a state of the art neutron source facility that will enhance civil
nuclear cooperation.
The parties noted the significant progress toward the elimination of
Ukraine’s SS-24 solid missile propellant and the destruction of its
SCUD missiles.
Ukraine and the United States emphasized the significance of the April
19-22 High-Level Meeting “Kyiv Summit on Safe and Innovative Use of
Nuclear Energy,” the Chornobyl Pledging Conference with partnership of
the G8, and the International Conference “25 years of the Chornobyl
Tragedy: the Security of the Future,” for promoting cooperation to
enhance global nuclear safety and security.
Both parties stressed the importance of a successful pledging
conference for the Chornobyl Shelter Fund and Nuclear Safety Account to
enable the timely completion of projects that will make the site safe.
To further the goals of the Charter on Strategic Partnership,
Ukraine and the United States reiterated that their cooperation is
based on shared values. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to
enhance cooperation aimed at strengthening democracy, the rule of law,
developing political pluralism, and promoting judicial reform, and
combating corruption.
Both parties discussed the process of approving a new criminal
procedure code, electoral code, and anti-corruption laws that meet
international standards through an established democratic, inclusive
process. The United States confirmed its readiness to assist Ukraine in
institutional and legal reforms.
Ukraine stressed that responsibility and accountability should be
the basis for a viable and sustainable democracy and reconfirmed its
strategic goal to implement reforms in line with European standards. In
that spirit, Ukraine and the United States discussed the importance of
the protection of freedoms and individual rights in a manner in which
civil society and stakeholders across the political spectrum will
participate.
Both parties welcomed the establishment in July of the Political
Dialogue and Rule of Law Working Group. The Working Group, which held
its inaugural meeting in November in Kyiv, provides a platform to
exchange views on democratic, legal and political reforms and the
development of civil society. The two parties welcomed the holding of a
meeting of Ukraine and U.S. civil society representatives in
Washington on February 14 and look forward to increased interaction
between non-governmental organizations of both nations.
The Charter on Strategic Partnership notes our mutual commitment to
support economic reform and liberalization and to develop a business
climate supportive of trade and investment. Today’s meeting discussed
the need for a fair and transparent investment climate in Ukraine for
both Ukrainian and foreign firms.
The parties discussed the global grain market and other agricultural
matters, and expressed the hope that Ukraine’s significant production
potential can contribute to global food security. The United States
welcomed Ukraine’s successful implementation of its Stand-By
Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund and encouraged
continued cooperation with the IMF.
Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Gryshchenko underlined that
energy security remains a key part of our strategic dialogue and
expressed support for the development of Ukraine’s energy resources,
including unconventional gas. The U.S. side welcomed Ukraine’s
membership in the European Energy Community.
Both parties expressed their support for a transparent energy market
in Ukraine, and noted Ukraine’s passage of the Law on the Principles
of Functioning of the Natural Gas Market and steps to bring gas tariffs
into conformity with the market. The United States encouraged Ukraine
to restructure the gas sector to help open possibilities for investment
in its gas transit system.
The Commission noted progress under the Ukraine-U.S. Energy Security
Working Group, co-chaired by Minister for Energy and Coal Industry
Yurii Boyko and U.S. Special Envoy for Energy Issues in Eurasia
Ambassador Richard Morningstar.
They welcomed the agreement for the U.S. Geological Survey to
conduct an assessment of unconventional resources that will give the
Government of Ukraine and investors public information on potential
resources in Ukraine. They welcomed U.S. Agency for International
Development technical assistance for the legal, regulatory and
environmental framework of unconventional gas development.
Both parties intend to continue cooperation on energy efficiency and
to discuss encouraging renewable energy technologies and oil and gas
well rehabilitation. They noted the importance of attracting private
investment and technology to develop Ukraine’s oil and gas resources
through open, competitive procurement processes. They welcomed the
positive decision of the Ukrainian Interagency Committee on preparing
and implementing production sharing agreements concerning the
application by Chevron.
Both parties agreed to enhance cooperation to resolve regional
conflicts, to promote global stability, deal with cyber threats,
climate change and pandemic diseases, and collaborate in science and
technology, food safety, health, biotechnology and nuclear medicine.
They reiterated support for progress in the 5+2 process to reach a
settlement on Transnistria.
The United States and Ukraine confirmed their readiness to continue
political dialogue and practical cooperation in the context of the
Ukraine-NATO partnership. Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister
Gryshchenko welcomed the NATO Lisbon Summit decisions and the
Alliance’s readiness to develop partnerships with Ukraine, as specified
in the NATO Strategic Concept.
The United States welcomed Ukraine-NATO interaction in strengthening
international peace and security and continued Ukrainian participation
in NATO-led and other international peacekeeping operations and in
deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo and Liberia.
The United States appreciated the contribution of Ukraine to
strengthening global peace and security by actively engaging in
peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the United Nations. The
United States welcomed the recent decision of Ukraine to deploy
additional military helicopters and personnel to the UN peacekeeping
operation in Cote d‘Ivoire.
Ukraine and the United States underscored the continuing importance of
efforts by the international community to assure the provision of
well-trained and deployable military units for multilateral
peacekeeping missions, including concerted efforts to address chronic
gaps faced by UN peacekeepers. Ukraine and the United States intend to
explore ways to enhance their cooperation on peacekeeping-related
issues.
The United States reconfirmed that the 1994 Budapest Memorandum
security assurances remain in effect, and agreed to hold bilateral
consultations with Ukraine on security assurances.
Ukraine and the United States highlighted their intent to increase
joint efforts against trafficking in persons and HIV/AIDS by signing a
bilateral Cooperation Plan on Combating Human Trafficking and the
Partnership Framework on cooperation in countering HIV/AIDS in 2011-15.
The Commission welcomed the creation of the Science and Technology
Working Group, which held its first session in November 2010. The
Working Group is striving to increase cooperation between scientific
communities; its next full meeting will be held in October-November
2011.
The United States and Ukraine agreed to review progress on visa regime
liberalization and enhanced people-to-people exchanges; the next
consular consultations will be held in Kyiv in March 2011. The United
States welcomed Ukraine’s Action Plan to improve intellectual property
protection.
Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Gryshchenko agreed to convene
the next session of the Strategic Partnership Commission in Kyiv.
PRN: 2011/221
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2. THIRD MEETING OF THE U.S.-UKRAINE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP COMMISSION AND SIGNING OF A COOPERATIVE PLAN ON COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN UKRAINE
Remarks: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko
The Thomas Jefferson Room, US Department of State, Wash, DC, Feb 15, 2011
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, thank you all very much for
being here. I am pleased to join the minister in hosting the third
session of the United States-Ukraine Strategic Partnership Commission.
We are committed to broadening and deepening the relationship between
our two countries.
I would like to extend a special welcome to Presidential Adviser
Akimova, Justice Minister Lavrynovych, Energy Minister Boyko, Ambassador
Tefft, Assistant Secretary Gordon, Ambassador Verveer, Ambassador
CdeBaca, and the other distinguished participants here today.
Since we began these meetings in December 2009, we have sought to use
our partnership commission to plan and implement concrete actions that
improve the life for both of our peoples. The extent of Ukrainian
representation in this room sends a clear message about Ukraine’s
commitment and the progress that it seeks to promote.
In my conversation today with Foreign Minister Gryshchenko, we
discussed the challenges that we face. We covered many topics, including
our effective cooperation to stop nuclear proliferation, our support
for Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen its own democracy and the rule of
law, and progress on global issues from food security to HIV/AIDS, as
well as steps to help Ukraine develop its domestic energy resources and
attract greater private investment, particularly from the United
States.
We have rolled up our sleeves, Minister, to pursue our common goal
of a Ukraine that is more secure, prosperous, and democratic. The truth
is that Ukraine is well positioned to realize its own citizens’ hope
for a genuine democracy and a prosperous economy. It has an educated,
innovative population, deep foundations of democracy, including a
vibrant civil society – some of whom I met earlier today – the
potential to become energy independent, and the capacity to lead on key
regional and global issues.
President Yanukovych has said he is ready to take bold initiatives
to exercise that leadership. Last year, he pledged to eliminate
Ukraine’s highly enriched uranium, and Ukraine is fully on schedule to
eliminate all of its HEU in 2012. That leadership elevated Ukraine’s
standing in the global community, bringing full circle a process that
began in 1994 with Ukraine’s historic decision to give up nuclear
weapons. With U.S. assistance, Ukraine has ushered in a new era of
peaceful nuclear power.
Now we are also looking to Ukraine to continue the commitments that
President Yanukovych has made to transparent government, strong rule of
law, protection of freedom of speech and media, comprehensive judicial
reform in partnership with the Ukrainian people, with stakeholders
throughout the country, including opposition leaders and members of
civil society.
Many of the civil society activists here from Ukraine really are
committed to strengthening their country, and we support their goals.
They are really committed to also being a partner with their
government, and they will be working to see more progress.
We also are hoping to see the investment climate improve and
business open up. We want to see Ukraine prosper and think that there is
an enormous opportunity for that. One example will be the memorandum
Ambassador Morningstar and Minister of Energy and Coal Boyko will sign
today. This MOU will launch a U.S. geological survey effort to develop
exploration and development of unconventional gas, and that is a direct
result of a conversation that the foreign minister and I began in Kiev
about cooperative energy ventures.
We have negotiated a five-year partnership framework to strengthen
the delivery of health services and treatment for Ukrainians living
with HIV/AIDS. And we’re launching a five-year, $20 million program to
strengthen Ukraine’s agricultural sector and help build its potential as
a major contributor to global food security.
I’m pleased we’re making progress also on another issue, human
trafficking. Today, we will sign a bilateral Cooperation Plan on
Combating Human Trafficking in Ukraine. The recent repatriation from
Ukraine to the United States of a trafficker accused of taking more
than $1 million in profits from the women he exploited is just one way
we are working to end this tragic worldwide blight.
So Ukraine is on a remarkable journey. The United States wants to
assist on that journey. We want to make sure that the progress is
tangible and the benefits real for the Ukrainian people. And I thank you
very much, Minister, for being part of the leadership that is heading
in the right direction for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
FOREIGN MINISTER GRYSHCHENKO: Well, thank you,
Madam Secretary. It’s a great honor to be here, to be in the State
Department at this very important occasion.
Now, strategic partnership with the United States has become a very
important part of our foreign policy, and we do rely on this strategic
partnership to help us guide the shape of our statehood through the
waters which are not easy that surrounds us in this global economic
situation that changes with every year.
I don’t want to repeat what you have already underlined, the
importance of the current agreements that we have – we are going to sign
right now. We see a very important task before us in the future, that
is, to make sure that the progress Ukraine is making in transforming
our economy and social fabric. To meet the high standards of
transatlantic democracies is something which is very dear to us and an
important factor which should be helping in our success.
We have discussed, prior to this signing event and opening the
commission’s session, some of the issues that are extremely important
for this strategic partnership to develop for mutually successful
progress. And we take – Ukrainian delegation, some of the messages back
home.
And I believe that some of the messages we have tried to get across
here were carefully noted, and we will continue this dialogue in all
areas – in the economic (inaudible), in making this cooperation in the
nonproliferation area more effective still, and in continuous of the
high-level political dialogue between two countries, which is important
to understand that the logic and motivation of the events, and the
programs that we have inside our country.
The world is changing all the time, but we rely as a constant on your
understanding and your support in fulfilling our ambitious European
agenda. We believe that Ukraine is destined to be an integral part for
European Union and we think that this strategic cooperation between the
U.S. and EU should be upheld for (inaudible) in promoting our own
goals.
Today, we have an opportunity to continue our work, to hear reports
of our working groups. We have brought a very important delegation to
underline the need to have these high-level exchanges for the benefit of
our both countries.
Thank you so much, Madam Secretary, for your hospitality, for the
frankness, but also the positive attitude that you have expressed in
discussing many of the important priorities that we place before us.
Thank you (inaudible).
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. So now, we will be signing.
(The cooperative plan is signed.) (Applause.)
LINK: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/02/156606.htm
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