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30 October 1998
For immediate release
[Press Releases Home]
Meeting Of BSECO Foreign Ministers To Be Held In Bulgaria
The 12th meeting of foreign ministers of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation (BSECO) was held on October 22 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Items on the meeting's agenda included the Organisation's activities over the last semester, granting of observer status to several more nations, beginning of activities of the Black Sea Bank of Trade and Development. The meeting attendants exchanged opinions about their countries' ratification of the Organisation Chater signed in Yalta on June 5 1998. The Ukrainian delegation to the meeting was headed by First Deputy Foreign Minister Anton Buteiko.
Ukraine Reached Preliminary Agreement With Japan On Provision Of 80 Million Dollars
The Ukrainian government had reached preliminary agreement with Japan on provision of 80 million dollars in loans to Ukraine, Finance Minister Ihor Mitiukov told a press conference on October 19.
"Preliminary agreement has been reached on granting Ukraine 80 million dollars in loans to uphold its balance of payments. 45 million dollars will be provided as a conditional commodity loan and 35 million dollars as an unconditional financial credit," Mr. Mitiukov said.
Mr. Mitiukov added that the date for negotiation of the terms of the loan would be agreed upon soon.
"Considering our experience in working with the Japanese government, I think the negotiations will not take long," Mr. Mitiukov said.
UN European Economic Commission Head Arrived In Ukraine
Practical issues of stimulation of the cooperation between Ukraine and the UN European Economic Commission will be in focus during a visit by UN Under-Secretary-General, EEC Executive Secretary I. Bertelo, who arrived in Ukraine on October 26.
On the eve of the visit, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN Mission and other Geneva-headquartered international organizations Mykola Maimeskul met with Mr. Bertelo in Geneva. During the meeting, it was stressed that Ukraine is interested in EEC's advisory and technical assistance in issues involving attraction of foreign investments aimed at implementation of projects on restructurization of industries, environmental protection, development of infrastructure, use of EEC's recommendations in such spheres as power saving, simplification of foreign trade procedures and others.
The program of the EEC head's visit envisages meetings with top officials of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Verkhovna Rada, Foreign Ministry, and a number of other ministries
Ten Ukrainian Military Observers Sent To Transdniestria
According to the Cabinet's press service, ten Ukrainian military observers have been sent to the security zone of the Transdniestrian region of the Republic of Moldova. This decision has been taken in accordance with Ukraine's obligations as a mediator state in the political settlement of the consequences of the Transdniestrian conflict and a guarantor of the region's special status within Moldova's territorial integrity, as well as proceeding from agreements reached as a result of a quadripartite meeting on March 20, 1998
Ukrainian And Polish Foreign Ministers Held Telephone Conversation To Arrange Joint Meeting For Commemorating Victims Of WWII And Political Repressions
The Ukrainian and Polish Ministers of Foreign Affairs held a telephone conversation which resulted in an agreement to shortly convene a joint meeting of the Ukrainian State Interdepartmental Committee for Commemorating Victims of War and Political Repression and the Polish Council for Protecting Memorials to Resistance and Martyrdom with a view consider measures toward protecting Polish memorials in Ukraine and vice versa on the basis of reciprocity, as provided for by a relevant Polish-Ukrainian intergovernmental agreement.
Prague Hosts International Conference On Eurointegration
As the Ukrainian Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic, reported on Monday, October 26, an international conference convened there to discuss problems relating to East and Central European nations' integration with the EU.
The conference was attended by local diplomats and experts with governmental institutions in Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Estonia, the USA and spokespersons of the European Commission.
The Ukrainian delegation to the conference in Prague was led by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anton Buteiko.
Resource Center Set Up In Simferopol, Crimea's Capital, To Facilitate Reintegration Of Crimean Tartar Returnees
A Resource Center has been set up in the Crimean capital, Simferopol, through the agency of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the Danish Council for Refugees.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Anne Willem Bailaweld, Director of the European Bureau of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, noted that the global community should scrutinize Crimea's valuable experience of localizing and quenching conflicts and discord.
The opening ceremony in Simferopol was attended by high-profile Crimean Tartar figures.
The European Bureau Director visited the village of Verkhnyaya Kutuzovka and Alushta near Yalta, Crimea's major health resort, with a view of attending ceremonies there to inaugurate a number of humanitarian facilities.
President Kuchma Visits Budapest
Ukraine's President Leonid Kuchma arrived in Budapest, the Hungarian capital, on October 27 on his first official visit to the country.
During the visit, Mr. Kuchma met with Hungary's President Arpad Goncz, State Assembly Chairman Janos Ader, and Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Mr. Kuchma and his Hungarian counterpart chaired the extended Ukrainian-Hungarian negotiations, at the end of which six new mutual cooperation agreements were signed.
President Kuchma addressed the Hungarian State Assembly, met with members of the Hungarian business community, representatives of the Ukrainian minority, a group of Western European investors, and visited the town of Sekesfegervar.
Volodymyr Ohryzko, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration's Foreign Policy Department, told journalists that the negotiations and meetings in Hungary would focus on intensification of bilateral political ties at all levels, avoiding any negative consequences for Ukraine resulting from the admission of Hungary, Poland, and the Czech republic into the European Union, regional cooperation, protection of the rights of ethnic minorities, and measures to combat illegal migration and drug trafficking.
On economic issues, the two sides will consider cooperation in the engineering sector, production and repair of military equipment, processing of agricultural goods, and pharmaceuticals. Discussions on cross-border economic cooperation will involve creation of a business zone near Chop and the so-called fifth trans-European corridor linking Triest, Lublin, Budapest, and Kyiv.
The issue of Hungary's involvement in transporting Caspian crude oil is also expected to be discussed.
Ukrainian-Hungarian Negotiations Begin In Budapest
Ukrainian-Hungarian negotiations began in Budapest on October 27. The delegation accompanying President Kuchma on the visit to Hungary includes Foreign Minister Borys Tarasiuk, Defense Minister Oleksandr Kuzmuk, Minister of Foreign Economic Trade and Ties, Health Minister Andrii Serdiuk, Agro-Industrial Complex Minister Borys Supykhanov, National Bank of Ukraine's Chairman Viktor Yushchenko, Chairman of the State Committee for Nationalities and Migration Mykola Rudko, and Ukraine's Ambassador to Hungary Ores Klympush.
The official welcoming ceremony was held in the Hungarian parliament. President Kuchma was welcomed by Hungary's President Arpad Goncz.
Leading Hungarian newspapers published interviews with the Ukrainian leader while observers emphasized the significance of the Ukrainian-Hungarian negotiations to Hungary's preparation for membership of the European Union.
Ukrainian And Hungarian Leaders Discuss European Union Expansion
Visiting Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and President of Hungary Arpad Goncz held talks in Budapest on October 27.
European Union expansion was featured prominently during the talks. The two leaders said they wanted the existing relations between their countries to be taken into consideration during the European Union's expansion. They stressed that it is important to ensure that new border controls do not reduce bilateral trade and contacts between the peoples of the two countries.
As Volodymyr Ohryzko, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration's Foreign Policy Department, disclosed to journalists, the two leaders exchanged views on the current world financial crisis, the economic situation in Russia, and measures being taken to minimize the effects of the financial crises.
The two leaders also discussed cooperation in protecting the interests of ethnic minorities. About 160,000 ethnic Hungarians live in Ukraine. The two leaders said their countries have no problems regarding the rights of ethnic minorities. It was disclosed that relevant Hungarian requests will be discussed at a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for Ethnic Minorities.
Mr. Ohryzko further disclosed that the two leaders also discussed ways of minimizing the possible negative effects that Hungary's admission into the European Union might have on Ukraine. A working group is expected to be set up to consider the issue and draft proposals for possible submission to the European Union.
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