BRAMA, Mar 30, 2004, 3:00 pm ET
Press Release
Brussels, 30 March 2004
7515/04 (Presse 90)
EU Council press release
Meeting on Justice and Home Affairs between the Troika of the European Union and Ukraine
Brussels, 29 March 2004 — Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs of Ukraine and the EU Troika met for the second time in
Brussels on 29 March 2004 to further strengthen EU-Ukraine co-operation in the field of Justice
and Home Affairs. The results of the discussions are summarised below.
The European Neighbourhood Policy
Both Parties agreed that the Action Plan to be concluded under the aegis of the European
Neighbourhood Policy would reinforce EU-Ukraine relations in the field of Justice and Home
Affairs. The section within the Action Plan concerning Justice and Home Affairs would
complement the existing Justice and Home Affairs Action Plan, under which significant progress in
this field had already been achieved. It would be important for both parties to make full use of
future new avenues for co-operation offered by this initiative.
The European Union was pleased to note that Ukraine had organised a conference on Wider Europe
on 10 November 2003, bringing together at Foreign Minister level the EU Presidency and
Commission, the ten new EU Member States, the three EU candidate countries, the Russian
Federation, Moldova and Belarus. This conference had provided a valuable forum for the exchange
of ideas concerning the European Neighbourhood Policy.
Asylum
Both Parties took note of the progress made by Ukraine in implementing the provisions of the 1951
UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. The EU Troika welcomed the recent adoption
by Ukraine of an Action Plan for the integration of refugees.
Migration management
Both Parties agreed that migration management would be an increasingly significant area of
dialogue in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The EU Troika pointed out that
support would be provided to promote effective migration management and, to this end, €250m
would be available to assist third countries in their efforts over the next five years.
Both Parties agreed that the Member States should be encouraged to invite Ukraine to participate in
activities under the ARGO programme in order to strengthen co-operation in relation to migration
management and the early prevention of illegal migration.
Recognising that the fight against illegal migration was a shared concern, both Parties welcomed
the progress made in readmission negotiations, the latest round of which had taken place in early
March. The EU Troika underlined that the early conclusion of negotiations on a readmission
agreement with Ukraine was a priority and noted Ukrainian efforts to negotiate similar agreements
on a bilateral level.
Both Parties noted that the dialogue on visa issues had continued and that a fifth round of
discussions had taken place in early March. Ukraine underlined its desire to move on to a discussion
of visa facilitation.
Border management and small border traffic
Both Parties agreed that the development of a system of efficient and comprehensive border
management on all Ukrainian borders continued to be a priority. This was being supported,
particularly at the Northern and Eastern borders, through TACIS assistance for infrastructural
development, training and equipment. Ukraine welcomed the Commission Communication on
Local Border Traffic which was currently under consideration by the Council of the European
Union and which would, if adopted, provide for crossings by local residents of the EU external
border. Ukraine confirmed the importance of complete border demarcation and strengthened
cooperation with neighbours on this issue. The EU Troika supported this overall objective.
Declaration on Contact Points on Organised Crime
Both Parties welcomed and jointly endorsed the Declaration on Contact Points on Organised Crime,
which had been adopted by the Council on 8 April 2003. Ukraine will continue to work towards
setting up a central contract point for the exchange of information on organised crime with EU
Member States’ law enforcement authorities.
Fight against Organised Crime
Ukraine informed the Troika of its efforts to implement the provisions of (1) the Joint Declaration
by the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs of the Member States of the European Union and the
Candidate Countries in association with the European Commission of 14 October 2002 on the
protection of commercial drivers engaged in export trade from becoming victims of organised crime
and (2) the Joint Declaration by the Minister of Justice and Home Affairs of the Member States of
the European Union and the Candidate Countries of 28 September 2001 containing the 12
commitments in the fight against trafficking in human beings.
Both Parties noted with satisfaction that a major TACIS anti-trafficking project had commenced in
Ukraine in December 2003. The EU Troika outlined that an EU Experts’ Group on trafficking in
human beings had been established by the Commission, as proposed by the Brussels Declaration.
This group would take forward implementation of the main recommendations of the Declaration.
The findings of the group would reinforce co-operation with third countries including in particular
with Ukraine.
The importance of tackling the smuggling of high tax goods such as motor vehicles was also
emphasised.
Both Parties welcomed the work of the Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova anti-drug programme
(BUMAD), and noted that preparations were underway for the second phase of the programme.
The EU Troika welcomed new legislation on preventing and counteracting money laundering
passed by Ukraine on 28 November 2002 and amended in light of comments from the OECD
Financial Action Task Force, as well as the October 2003 Anti-Money Laundering Implementation
Plan. The EU Troika was particularly satisfied that these developments had led to the withdrawal
of FATF counter-measures with respect to Ukraine, and the removal of Ukraine from the list of
Non-Co-operative Countries and Territories. The continued strengthening of the State Department
of Financial Monitoring was an agreed priority in this context.
Both Parties agreed that the Member States should be encouraged to invite Ukraine to participate in
activities under the AGIS programme in order to strengthen cooperation in the fight against
organised crime.
Update on relations with Europol and Eurojust.
Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs of Ukraine emphasised their goal of closer co-operation with
both Eurojust and Europol. The EU Troika expressed their support for efforts made by the
Ukrainian authorities towards developing closer contacts with Eurojust. Ukraine indicated its
interest in concluding an agreement with Europol and both Parties agreed to consider this issue.
The EU Troika welcomed the continuing participation of Ukrainian representatives in certain
meetings of the European Judicial Network and the development of police co-operation through
bilateral contacts.
Strengthening the judiciary, rule of law and good governance
The Minister of Justice of Ukraine reported on recent progress in the judicial reform programme
currently being implemented in cooperation with the Council of Europe. The EU Troika welcomed
progress on developing the new Civil, Criminal and Commercial Procedural Codes of Ukraine.
Both Parties reiterated the importance of the rule of law, access to justice, independence of the
judiciary and good governance.
The need for efficient, transparent public institutions was also emphasised, and progress made
under the Ukrainian government reform programme was welcomed. The EU Troika encouraged
Ukraine to work quickly towards ratification of the Council of Europe Criminal and Civil Law
Conventions against corruption and noted its willingness to provide support for the implementation
of these Conventions.
Both Parties agreed that EU assistance in the training of Ukrainian judges would have a significant
positive impact on strengthening the judiciary in Ukraine.
7515/04 (Presse 90) 4
EN
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