PRESS RELEASES

UKRAINE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

November 19, 2002

MFA News

On November, 19 a meeting took place in the Permanent Representative Office of Ukraine in New York to the UN between Head of Ukrainian Presidential Administration Viktor Medvedchuk and Chairman of the UN Security Council Committee 661 (overseeing implementation of the regime of sanctions imposed on Iraq), Permanent Representative of Norway Ole Peter Kolby.

Chairman of Committee 661 informed his Ukrainian guest on the course of consideration by the UN Security Council of the address made by Ukraine concerning investigation into alleged violations by our country of sanctions imposed on Iraq.

At the meeting it was emphasized that Ukraine intends to cooperate actively and closely with the Security Council and Committee 661 for the sake of final resolution of the situations that emerged in connection with unfounded accusations put forward thereto.

Chairman of Committee 661 highly appraised and supported the constructive and open character of our country's position. Ole Peter Kolby assured the Ukrainian side about his readiness to assist in any possible manner unprejudiced consideration of the issue raised by Ukraine. Norwegian Permanent Representative underlined that members of Committee pay particular attention to relevant addresses by Ukraine, as well as expressed his hope that the discussion thereof would produce objective conclusions.

Chairman of Committee 661 also invited Ukrainian representatives to participate in next sessions of Committee 661 that will be devoted to this issue.

Ole Peter Kolby noted that the outcome of the meeting with the Head of Ukrainian Presidential Administration, as well as the information transmitted by the latter would be urgently communicated to all members of Committee 661.

MFA News

To the MFA briefing

MFA News

On November, 19 the Head of Ukrainian Presidential Administration Viktor Medvedchuk had a meeting with President of the UN Security Council, the Permanent Representative of China to the UNO Wang Yingfan. During the discussion that took place the sides discussed Ukraine's address to the UN Security Council concerning clarification of the alleged violation of sanctions against Iraq.

Viktor Medvedchuk attracted attention of President of the UN Security Council to the unsubstantiated nature of accusations put forward against our country. It was emphasized that Ukraine, being a reliable and consistent actor of international relations, did not violate the regime of sanctions. In reply to the doubtful accusations both the President and the Government of Ukraine demonstrated unprecedented openness and are well ready to pursue active cooperation, with the Security Council in particular, for the sake of final resolution of the situation that has occurred.

President of the Security Council expressed his full understanding of the Ukrainian position and supported open and constructive approach employed by our country.

Wang Yingfan stressed on the necessity for a Ukrainian representative to participate in consideration by the UN Security Council and Committee 661 on the regime of sanctions against Iraq concerning the relevant address made by the Ukrainian side.

President of the Security Council assured that the exhaustive information provided by the Head of Ukrainian Presidential Administration will be urgently communicated to all members of the UN Security Council.

On the same day during a closed session President of the Security Council informed the members of this body on the meeting he had with the Head of Ukrainian Presidential Administration.

On November, 18 the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anatoliy Zlenko met the Minister for Foreign Affairs of China Tang Jiaxuan

In the framework of the state visit by the President of Ukraine to the People's Republic of China a meeting took place between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anatoliy Zlenko and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of China Tang Jiaxuan.

Ukrainian and Chinese foreign ministers discussed the state and perspectives of bilateral relations. The sides reiterated their mutual resolve to widen and deepen the existing cooperation.

During the meeting, the sides assigned particular importance to the issue of interaction between the two countries in the framework of different international forums, specifically in the UNO and its key bodies. The collocutors emphasized importance of promoting the role and authority of the UNO in international relations. Importance of observing the founding principles of international law provided for by the UNO Charter, specifically those of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as non-interference in internal affairs.

MFA News

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anatolyi Zlenko sent condolences to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel Bendzhamin Netanyah in connection with the death of the well-known Israeli diplomat and former Minister for Foreign Affairs Abbi Eban.

The life and activity of A.Eban is a vivid example of a selfless service to his Homeland and a deserving discharge his diplomatic mission, - says the letter.

"This is a great loss not only to Israelis but also to all World Diplomacy", - considers A.Zlenko.

MFA News On November, 16 solemn commemoration of victims of the Famine in Ukraine (1932-33) took place in New York

On November, 16 solemn commemoration of victims of the Famine in Ukraine (1932-33) took place in New York.

On this occasion the US President George Bush sent his personal message to those participating in the commemorative service held at Saint Patrick's Cathedral.

In his message the US President noted that he joins the Ukrainian people, as well as Americans of Ukrainian descent in commemorating victims of this horrific historical event.

"Today we are commemorating the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people against the brutal Stalinist regime in which millions have fallen victim. We are keeping their memory and we swear to remember about their suffering forever", says the message.

The massage states that the US continues to support free and independent Ukraine.

MFA News On November, 16 Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs Anatoliy Zlenko met in Moscow the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation Igor Ivanov

On November, 16 Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs Anatoliy Zlenko met in Moscow the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation Igor Ivanov.

The meeting allowed for an exchange of views on a wide range of issues concerning the state and perspectives of Ukrainian-Russian relations, as well as pressing international issues.

The sides discussed participation of their respective countries in NATO summit in Prague. Ukrainian Foreign Minister informed his Russian colleague on Ukraine's preparation for the sessions to be held during the summit in Prague. He also described the current state of relations between Ukraine and the Alliance.

Ukrainian and Russian Foreign Ministers discussed a range of issues concerning activities of the UNO. Ukrainian Foreign Minister drew attention of his Russian colleague to functioning of the UN Security Council's Committee 661 overseeing the regime of sanctions against Iraq. The sides gave a positive appraisal to the decision by the UN Security Council to send an UN-led international mission to Iraq.

MFA News On November, 16 a telephone conversation took place between the Minister for Foreign Affairs Anatoliy Zlenko and NATO Secretary General George Robertson

On November, 16 a telephone conversation took place between the Minister for Foreign Affairs Anatoliy Zlenko and NATO Secretary General George Robertson.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister informed the Secretary General of NATO on the decision taken by the Council of National Security and Defense of Ukraine concerning the format of Ukraine's participation in NATO summit in Prague. During the conversation that took place the sides touched upon political aspects of Ukraine's participation in the sessions to be held in Prague.

MFA News

October, 31, 2002. - The National Commission of Ukraine on UNESCO matters addressed to the UNESCO Secretariat to render assistance to the Vernadskyi National Library in the framework of the UNESCO emergency assistance. As a result of the heating system breakdown in the first filial of the library, a part of the library collected works and historical collections, prints, reproductions as well as exchange and reserve, newspaper funds of the library was found under the threat of liquidation.

As the result of negotiations with the Director of the Department of the program "UNESCO participation and emergency assistance" as well as consultations in the Secretariat of the Director General, general arrangements on possible rendering emergency assistance of the financial aid in the framework of the aforementioned program were managed to be reached to purchase the necessary equipment for the preservation of damaged funds of the library.

Appropriate consultations in the field of communication of the UNESCO Secretariat were held. The UNESCO address to the world community to render assistance to the library for the preservation of its funds was spread through its channels' sector.

The UNESCO adviser is planned to send to Ukraine to help in the determination of the needs of the national library and the preparation of the expense project, - as the subision of the Information society of the UNESCO Secretariat informs.

The assistance address was sent to the Protection and Preservation Office of the International Federation of Libraries and Institutions Association.

In response to the request of the National Commission of the Republic of Poland on the UNESCO matters, the Secretariat of the National Commission of Ukraine is due to give the detailed information about the equipment characteristics, necessary for the rescue of the damaged funds of the library.

MFA News

"To strengthen the cooperation between High Educational Institutions of different countries of the world for the effective exchange of knowledge", - is the major task of the UNESCO program UNITVIN, founded in 1992.

In the framework of the 10^th anniversary of the program, in the UNESCO headquarters the World Forum of the UNESCO Chairs is taking place on November, 13-15. Thousand of its participants: rectors of universities, heads of the UNESCO chairs, coordinators of the UNITVIN net, members of national commissions on the UNESCO matters, representatives of non-governmental organizations and also students have gathered to exchange the experience activity in the field of the international cooperation between High Educational Institutions as well as the work of the UNESCO Chairs.

The representatives of the UNESCO Chairs, acting in Ukraine take also part in the work of this Forum.

The UNITVIN program is to promote the cooperation between institutions with the aim of disseminating of knowledge, development and improvement of systems of the preparation of specialists and scientists of High Schools and also internationalization of higher education, in the first place of developing countries as well as countries of transition period. Nowadays the world net of the UNESCO chairs numbers 550 subjects in 113 countries. In Ukraine 12 UNESCO chairs are functioning : in Kiev, Kharkov, Donetsk, Odessa which are enlisted to realize different projects in the framework of the aforementioned program. The participation of the Ukrainian institutions in the UNESCO programs promotes their international cooperation and integration of the home higher education and science in the world scientific and educational process.

MFA News

On November, 15 a telephone conversation between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anatoliy Zlenko and NATO Secretary General George Robertson.

The sides discussed the state of preparation for NATO summit in Prague. Anatoliy Zlenko informed that decision regarding participation of Ukraine in the forum in Prague will be taken shortly.

George Robertson expressed a hope that the session of NATO-Ukraine Commission would take place as scheduled. NATO Secretary General underscored that Ukraine was and remains an important partner of the Alliance, as well as an integral part of European security.

MFA News

On November, 15 a telephone conversation took place between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anatoliy Zlenko and the US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

The collocutors focused on the issue of preparation of NATO summit in Prague, as well as on Ukraine's participation therein. In this context, the US Secretary of State stressed on the importance of the session of NATO-Ukraine Commission to be held. Ukrainian Foreign minister reaffirmed the invariability of Ukraine's course to Euro-Atlantic integration.

A. Zlenko and C. Powell also dwelled upon pressing issues of bilateral cooperation. The sides underlined the necessity for the existing problems between the two states to be settled as soon as possible, as well as reaffirmed importance of stable and constructive dialogue to be developed. "US-Ukrainian relations are very important. We will take steps necessary to resolve the existing problems", said the US Secretary of State.

MFA News

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anatolyi Zlenko sent greetings to Franchesko Frattini on the occasion of the appointment as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic.

In the letter of greetings to his newly appointed Italian colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has confirmed the stable course of development of partnership between Ukraine and Italy.

MFA News

The collocutors discussed the situation of Ukrainian Diaspora in the USA, problems faced by Ukrainian Diaspora round the world, specifically in countries of European and American continents, as well as the situation inside Ukraine.

The Archbishop of Ukrainian Catholic Church in the USA Mykhailo Soroka and the President of the America's Ukrainian Congressional Committee Mykhailo Savkiv also attended the meeting.

MFA News

The Third session of the Ukrainian-Polish Intergovernmental Coordination Council for regional cooperation was held in Lutsk. The Ukrainian delegation was led by the State Secretary for European Integration of the Foreign Ministry O.Chalyi while the Polish delegation was headed by the Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Administration Zenon Kosiniak-Kamysh.

The Ukrainian side has hailed the Polish achievements in the process of the EU admission talks and expressed its hope that the further membership in the EU will strengthen and deepen the bilateral Ukrainian-Polish relations and promote the ongoing integration of Ukraine to the EU.

The Polish side has showed the interest in carrying out the reforms in Ukraine and the readiness to support the Euro-integration aspirations of Ukraine.

The Council has entrusted the appropriate Commissions to work out the joint conception of the draw up and follow-up of the projects on boundary cooperation in the framework of the Tacis and Phare programs with the EU appropriate subisions. This program will envisage the execution of the projects, financed by the EU.

The parties have also marked the actuality and the importance of joint projects in the boundary life that are carried out in the border checkpoints and infrastructure as well as the draft preparation "Protection of Shatskyi National Nature Park, enhancement of the effectiveness to use all its possibilities".

The decision of the Council was rendered on the joint address to the EU with the suggestion to approve and support the conception of the draw up and follow-up of the Ukrainian-Polish projects on boundary cooperation in the framework of Tacis and Phare programs.

The sides have agreed that the next session of the Council will take place in the II quarter 2003 at the boundary province territory of the Republic of Poland.

MFA News

To the MFA briefing

MFA News

The interlocutors exchanged views as to the ongoing preparation to the NATO Summit in Prague and possible forms of interaction along the way of realization of the two countries' Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Statement of the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

November 12, 2002

Within the context of existing bilateral agreements, twelve rounds of negotiations regarding of the Treaty on the Regime of Ukrainian-Romanian State Border and the Agreement on the Delimitation of Continental Shelf and Exclusive Economic Zones of Ukraine and Romania in Black Sea have been held since January 1998. They have not led to positive results yet.

Regular 13th round of the said negotiations took place on November 11-12, 2002. It was the first meeting of Ukrainian and Romanian delegations after the official visit to Ukraine of H.E.Mr.Ion Iliescu, President of Romania, and signature of the Joint Declaration of the Presidents of Ukraine and Romania on September 17, 2002, which, inter alia, reflected the agreements between the Parties regarding unlocking and prompt completion of negotiations.

The results of this round of negotiations testified that the Romanian Side had not demonstrated constructive approach to the issues that represented the subject of negotiations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses its regret at the fact that the Romanian Side, whilst declaring absence of territorial claims to Ukraine and recognition of the existing borderline, has demonstrated as yet neither appropriate political will nor desire to lay down in writing the relevant provisions in the Treaty on the Regime of the Ukrainian-Romanian State Border. Moreover, despite the treaty commitments of the Parties that were ratified by the Parliaments of both Ukraine and Romania, throughout the negotiation process the delegation of Romania has being making and still makes such proposals, which contradict obligations of the Parties under the 1997 Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation Relations between Ukraine and Romania, as well as the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of Romania in the form of exchange of letters of foreign ministers concluded on June 2, 1997. The purpose of those proposals is to prejudice the existing line of the Ukrainian-Romanian borderline succeeded from the former USSR. Such position of the Romanian Side inter alia contradicts the provisions of article 2 of the 1997 Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation Relations between Ukraine and Romania, as well as paragraph 1 of the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of Romania in the form of exchange of letters of foreign ministers concluded on June 2, 1997.

Such position of the Romanian Side not only impedes conclusion of the Treaty on the Regime of Ukrainian-Romanian State Border; in fact, it renders impossible the completion of work on the Agreement on the Delimitation of Continental Shelf and Exclusive Economic Zones of Ukraine and Romania in the Black Sea within the context of implementation of bilateral agreements concluded in 1997. Therefore, the Romanian Side stalemates negotiations on the content of the abovementioned Treaty and Agreement.

As for Ukraine, its position at negotiations is based on the contemporary international law, including the principles of inviolability of existing borders that were formed in Europe as a result of the post-WWII settlement, succession of States with regard to borders and the pacta sunt servanda principle.

The Ukrainian Side once again reaffirms its readiness and determination to sign before June 1, 2002, the Treaty on the Regime of Ukrainian-Romanian State Border , and, if possible, the Agreement on the Delimitation of Continental Shelf and Exclusive Economic Zones of Ukraine and Romania in the Black Sea as agreed upon by the Presidents of Ukraine and Romania. The way to achieve this goal is to implement all valid international commitments of both States without any exception or additional conditions. Therefore, the Ukrainian Side, willing to develop full-fledged good-neighbor relations with Romania, is ready to continue active and constructive negotiations to finally settle the mentioned matters on the basis of international law.

MFA News

Question: A meeting of the UN Security Council 661 Sanctions Committee on Iraq took place yesterday. What do you know about the outcomes of the meeting with regard to the so called Ukrainian question?

Answer: The UN Security Council 661 Sanctions Committee on Iraq met November, 11 in New-York.

At the meeting the acting president of the Security Council circulated the letter by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Anatoliy Zlenko as to the consideration by the Security Council of the existing situation over accusations of Ukraine in alleged violation of sanctions against Iraq and concerning the results of US and British experts' work in our state.

With a view to scrutinizing the Ukrainian Foreign Minister's address, the 661 Committee has decided to discuss the matter in detail at its further meetings as well as in the course of informal consultations.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anatoliy Zlenko received copies of credentials from the Ambassador of Transitory Islamic State of Afghanistan to Ukraine Mr. Seyed Khairkhakh.

The sides concentrated on the issue of non-conflict reconstruction in Afghanistan. Anatoliy Zlenko reaffirmed readiness of Ukraine to make a tangible contribution to achieve economic recovery in Afghanistan and voiced a range of propositions concerning development of mutual cooperation in the field of restoration of the country's transport and energy systems. The sides also discussed the issue of establishing mutually beneficial cooperation in irrigation, water supply, agricultural, oil and gas, mining and other fields, as well as in training of Afghani specialists in Ukrainian institutes of higher education.

The sides also agreed to precipitate formation of legal basis between the two countries and to sign for this purpose first bilateral documents in the nearest future.

The Ambassador gave a high appraisal to the working visit paid to Afghanistan by Ukrainian Plenipotentiary Representative for Near and Middle East V. Nagaychuk and the non-resident Ambassador of Ukraine to Afghanistan A. Kasyanenko, which took place on October 23-27 this year.

MFA News

The sides discussed possible ways of promoting bilateral cooperation and interaction between the two states in international organizations.

During the meeting the sides placed particular stress upon optimization of interaction between the two countries along the Euro-Atlantic course. In this context the sides exchanged views as to the ongoing preparation to the NATO summit in Prague.

MFA News

Answer the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine A.Zlenko to the questions of the correspondent of "Interfax - Ukraine" on "Kolchugas" situation.

To my opinion the address to the Security Council is in the interest of Ukraine as well as the US.

We shouldn't leave this situation at the contemporary two-digit position. It is necessary to address to the highest authority. The more so as, the Iraq issue is not only the issue of the American security or our bilateral relations. This is the issue of international peace and security. Why, then, should we keep the Security Council aloof?

Besides, the address to the UNO is the international obligation of Ukraine. According to the UN SC resolution, all the information that can refer to the contravention of the UN sanctions against Iraq is to be brought to the notice of the appropriate Committee of the UN SC 661.

At the same time, I agreed with the President of the SC and the Chairman of the SC Committee 661 on the UN international experts' dispatch while discussing with them the "Kolchugas" situation in September in New-York. This is a normal, civilized way that we are going to follow.

The USA cast doubts on our openness publicly. These doubts are unfounded. In this situation both the USA and Ukraine are the sides concerned. There should be the third side to establish the truth. It is difficult to imagine for me what can it be besides the UNO?

The American and British experts' visit to Ukraine doesn't substitute the UN verification. These are two separate questions, but namely the UN SC verdict must put a full stop in this unpleasant situation.

The latest. There is no doubt that the USA and Great Britain as the SC permanent members can apply to a veto and block the consideration of the problem at the UN SC. But to my mind, this can define two things: either the USA are not interested in the establishment of the truth or they don't want to admit the unfounded accusations.

Turkey supports Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations

On November, 8 Ukrainian-Turkish consultations on political and military matters took place in Ukrainian MFA.

The delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine was headed by Director of the Department of policy and security issues Seregey Reva, while the Turkish delegation was headed by Director of the Department of security and defense issues of Turkish MFA Turan Morali.

During the consultations the sides discussed pressing issues of international relations, in particular NATO enlargement, ways of promoting cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey in the field of arms control.

During the negotiations particular attention was paid to NATO-Ukraine cooperation. The head of Turkish delegation noted that Turkey supports Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. He also confirmed that approval of the Plan of Action between NATO and Ukraine during the summit in Prague whould become an important step towards promotion of relations between Ukraine and the Alliance to a qualitatively new level.

An exchange of views that took place during the meeting demonstrated coincidence of positions of Ukrainian and Turkish positions on a range of international issues.

The head of Turkish delegation was received by the Deputy State Secretary of Ukrainian MFA Natalia Zarudna. During the brief meeting the sides discussed pressing issues of international relations, as well as cooperation in the framework of OSCE and Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation.

MFA news

On November, 6-7 the delegation headed by the State Secretary of Ukrainian MFA Yuri Sergeyev participated in a session of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers.

Key topics on the session's agenda included, in particular, holding a discussion of the proposal to organize a third Council of Europe Summit, possible ways of insuring effective functioning of the European Court of Human Rights and fighting international terrorism.

In his address to the Committee of Ministers Yuri Sergeyev stressed on the necessity for the Council of Europe to concentrate its efforts on building of a new Europe without iding lines, as well as called to finding a balanced ision of roles between CE, EU, OSCE and NATO in today's Europe. The head of Ukrainian delegation empathized importance of adopting guiding principles in the fields of human rights and fighting terrorism by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers. Yuri Sergeyev also urged to optimize activities of the European Court of Human Rights. In the context of discussing the issue of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's joining the CE, the Ukrainian side also expressed its support for accession of this country to the CE in the shortest terms.

During their sojourn in Strasbourg, members of the Ukrainian delegation also met leadership of the CE, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, as well as other participants of this session of Committee of Ministers.

MFA news

November, 7. The Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Kostiantyn Hryshchenko has signed on behalf of Ukraine an Agreement on Loans between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) under the draft project on the development of private sector in Ukraine, and the relevant project implementing agreement.

On behalf of the IBRD, the aforementioned documents were signed by the Country Director for Ukraine and Belarus Luka Barbone.

The project envisages a complex of measures to improve the regulatory environment for Ukrainian private enterprises, introduce a system for training and re-training Ukrainian entrepreneurs and managers, and restructure private enterprises.

The main purposes of the project are to increase the number of small and medium private businesses in Ukraine and their GDP quota, lessen both time and financial losses for registering and starting business in Ukraine, and to increase the inflow of investment, including the foreign one, into Ukraine's private sector.

For the aforesaid purposes the IBRD has granted to Ukraine a USD 30 mln. in a preferential loan. The additional co-funding of the project shall be provided by the appropriate governmental grants from Great Britain and the Netherlands.

To enter into force the project requires ratification by Ukrainian Parliament.

Zlenko and Robertson discussed preparation for NATO summit in Prague

On November, 7 Ukrainian Foreign Minister Anatoliy Zlenko held a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General George Robertson. The sides discussed the progress of preparation, as well as the format of forthcoming NATO summit in Prague.

MFA News

In the framework of the official visit of the President of Ukraine L.D.Kuchma to the Republic of Austria, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anatolyi Zlenko met the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs B.Ferrero-Valdner.

In the course of the discussion the sides noted the high level of mutual understanding between their states both on bilateral basis and international scene. They highly assessed the increasing dynamics in bilateral goods turnover, that has reached this year 0,5 bln. dollars, having emphasized a sustainable outlook for its further increase.

The particular attention was paid to the interaction of the two countries on the European integration matters. Austrian Foreign Minister stressed on the necessity to intensify the pragmatic approach in the relationship between Ukraine and European Union and reaffirmed the readiness of the Austrian side to promote Ukraine's integration to the EU.

The sides also exchanged views as to the ongoing preparation to the NATO Summit in Prague.

Awarding of Ukrainian Peacekeepers in Lebanon.

November, 5. The awarding of the personnel with the UN medals has taken place in the deployment of the third engineering-battalion of International Peacekeeping Forces in the South Lebanon.

The Commander of International Peacekeeping Forces, General L.Tevari congratulated Ukrainian Peacekeepers, highly appraising the professionalism of the Ukrainian battalion and marking its achievements, in particular, the elimination of 2,5 thousand of mines and explosive devices. A particular attention was paid to the humanitarian aspect of Ukrainian subision's activity as well as to rendering of free medical assistance and other services to the local population.

During the ceremony of the awarding the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Lebanon Valeriy Rylach has made an address. In his speech he has noted that the awarding of Ukrainian servicemen is the evidence of high professionalism and allegiance to the peacekeeping mission. V.Rylach emphasized also a considerable role of Ukrainian Peacekeepers in the context of strengthening and stirring up of bilateral Ukrainian-Lebanese relations.

On a regular round of trilateral Ukrainian-American-Polish consultations

The future of our state as a strategically important country for stability and security of the European continent has the topical issue at the trilateral Ukrainian-American-Polish consultations at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers, initiated in 2002.

A regular round of the consultations took place in Warsaw, November, 5, 2002. The delegations were led by Ukrainian Deputy State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Volodymyr Yelchenko, Polish Deputy State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Adam Rotfeld, US Assistant Under-Secretary of State Stiven Pifer.

The consultations were also attended by high-ranking officers of the Republic of Poland, in particular the Head of National Security Office M.Sivets, State Secretary of the Prime-Minister Office T.Ivinskyi, Deputy State Secretary for Foreign Affairs A A.Salutskyi.

The sides discussed urgent issues of the Ukraine-NATO relationship. The Polish and American sides stressed on their interest to find new forms of cooperation of Ukraine with the North-Atlantic Alliance, whose ultimate goal is a full-fledged membership of our state in the Alliance.

The parties approved a number of concrete fields of cooperation in the framework of international antiterrorist coalition, discussed the opportunities for interaction in ensuring the energy security of Europe, including the transportation of energy resources.

In the course of consultations was reached an agreement on the conduct of the next round of consultations in Kiev.

MFA News

The MFA Scientific Council, headed by Anatolyi Zlenko, held a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. Geopolitical aspects of European integration of Ukraine were the subject of discussion.

Opening the meeting, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine stressed that Ukraine should study and take into consideration basic political tendencies, existing at a global level. As he has put it, European integration can be the outcome of successive internal transformations of Ukraine with the considered and balanced policy towards basic centers of geopolitical impact in the world.

Members of the Scientific Council have analyzed problems and prospects of European integration for Ukraine in the present-day global context. It has been marked that, in spite of reformation of geopolitical situation, the time confirms the propriety and non-alternative of European option, made by our country.

MFA News

To the MFA briefing

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anatoliy Zlenko congratulated the famous Ukrainian football player and coach Oleh Blohin on his 50^th anniversary

The letter notes "the invaluable contribution of Oleh Blohins' football genius to strengthening the authority of Ukraine on international arena".

"Not only outstanding sport achievements, but also popularization of our country in the world are associated with you name", says the message.

About the CEE Expert Conference `Managing the borders of the Central and East European States in the context of strengthening the European security'

November, 1. High level Expert Conference of the Central and East Europe States "Managing the borders of the CEE States in the context of strengthening the European security" was held at the MFA of Ukraine.

The conference involved delegations from Albania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Czech Republic, Yugoslavia, and Ukraine.

Representatives of Austria, Belarus, Spain, Germany, Russia, EU, OSCE, NATO, IOM, and UNHCR attended the conference as guests.

The purpose of the Expert conference is to deepen the dialogue between CEE States towards fighting international terrorism. It is also a continuation of "the Warsaw process", initiated by Poland in 2001 at the first meeting of CEE Heads of State on antiterrorist matters.

In his opening remarks at the plenary meeting, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anatolyi Zlenko emphasized the importance of discussing the issue of managing the borders of the Central and East European States in the context of EU and NATO expansion. "European borders must be closed for dangers and open for peaceful cooperation", - he underlined. There should be no ision lines in Europe. The main task of all CEE States is "Secure Europe" as a new political project for the European Óontinent as a whole, stressed A.Zlenko.

The participants in the conference emphasized the need to improve mechanisms of multilateral cooperation and to set up an effective information exchange on border and customs control, fight against international terrorism, illegal migration, organized crime and illegal drugs trafficking.

As a final document, the conference has adopted the Conclusions of the high level Expert conference of the CEE States on the joint efforts to control and manage borders, fight international terrorism, organized crime, illegal migration, and illegal drugs trafficking.

The document outlines the parameters for deepening the interaction between CEE States in the aforementioned spheres. In particular, it was agreed to coordinate efforts aimed at management of new EU borders, establish a consultation mechanism and information exchange in the field of customs control, elaborate a joint strategy for fighting terrorism, and to initiate a series of measures to fight illegal migration and illegal drugs trafficking. A decision was also made to prepare a follow-up report to the Action Plan approved at the CEE Heads of State Conference in Warsaw on November, 6 2001.

A memorial board to a famous Ukrainian scholar, diplomat, Professor Ivan Feschenko-Chopivskyi has been opened at the Mining and Metallurgy Academy of Krakow.

A memorial board to a famous Ukrainian scholar, diplomat, Minister of Economy with the government of the Ukrainian Peoples Republic, founder of a Polish School of Metal Studies, Professor Ivan Feschenko-Chopivskyi (1884-1952) has been opened at the Mining and Metallurgy Academy of Krakow.

The memorial board made by a well-known Ukrainian sculptor Vasyl Yarych was presented to the MMA by Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.

Simultaneously, a book and documents exhibition dedicated to the scientific and pedagogical activity of I.Feschenko-Chopivskyi has been opened in the library of this leading high educational institution of Poland.

During the ceremony the Academy's rector R.Tadeusevich emphasized that "owing to this outstanding Ukrainian scholar the initially Mining Academy has become the Mining and Metallurgy Academy of Krakow".

The ceremony was attended by Krakow mayor A.Golas, representatives of Ukrainian Diaspora, officers of Ukrainian Consulate General in Krakow, students, as well as delegation from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.

The Consul General of Ukraine to Krakow O.Medovnikov announced awarding of Iryna Bogun, the daughter of Feschenko-Chopivskyi, with a Diploma of the MFA of Ukraine for her active public activity in favor of Ukraine and personal considerable contribution into preservation of scientific and historic heritage of Ukraine.

He also emphasized that the opening of the memorial board has become another example of spiritual unity of the Polish and Ukrainian peoples.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anatoliy Zlenko has sent condolences to the Head of the Council of Ministers, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic Silvio Berlusconi in connection with tragic aftermaths of a devastating earthquake that hit the central and southern parts of Italy.

In his letter Minister Zlenko asked Silvio Berlusconi to transmit words of support to the families and relatives of the deceased and suffered.

Ambassador of Ukraine to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (pluralistically) Yuriy Malko presented credentials to the President of Mauritania Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya

October, 31. Yuriy Malko, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (pluralistically) presented credentials to the country's President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya.

During a private meeting that followed the ceremony the sides expressed a mutual belief that the appointment of Ambassador unveils new opportunities for the establishment and development of a multifaceted cooperation between Ukraine and Mauritania.

The day before, the Ukrainian Ambassador was received by the Mauritanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Ould Tolba. The sides discussed concrete steps towards development of bilateral relations.

In the framework of the Ambassador's sojourn in Nouakchott he also met leadership of the Mauritanian Parliament and country's businessmen.