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10 December 1999

Text: Joint Statement of the U.S.-Ukraine Binational Commission

(Third plenary meeting held December 8 in Washington) (2840)
U.S. Vice President Al Gore and Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma met
December 8 in Washington for the third plenary session of the United
States-Ukraine Binational Commission and issued a joint statement
summarizing progress made in strengthening the strategic partnership
between the two countries.
The statement dealt with a wide range of issues, among them:
- strengthening Ukraine's relationship with the rest of Europe,
including the European Union and NATO;
-- Ukraine's "constructive role... in maintaining peace and stability
in Central and Eastern Europe";
-- the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe;
-- bilateral cooperation in the area of non-proliferation and nuclear
safety;
-- an agreement to establish a Regional Environmental Center in
Ukraine;
-- the Ukrainian presidential elections and Ukraine's advancement
towards long-term establishment of a market-oriented democracy;
-- Ukraine's economic reforms, including intellectual property rights;
cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank; and
efforts towards accession to the World Trade Organization;
-- a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Commerce
and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade,
and others on U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
assistance;
-- the Kharkiv Initiative, a cooperative effort to encourage balanced
economic
growth in the Kharkiv region;
-- cooperation on space exploration and research;
-- implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the G-7
countries, the European Commission, and Ukraine concerning the closure
of the
Chornobyl nuclear power plant in 2000;
-- a Memorandum of Understanding concerning U.S. technical assistance
to Ukraine on energy privatization and electric power sector reform;
-- Ukraine's participation in the emerging east-west energy corridor
from the
Caspian region to world markets;
-- law enforcement cooperation against organized crime, corruption,
drug trafficking, money laundering, automobile theft, and the
trafficking in women and children; and
-- cooperation on preserving cultural heritage.
The next meeting of the U.S.-Ukraine Binational Commission will be
held in Kyiv in 2000.
Following is the text of the joint statement:
(begin text)
JOINT STATEMENT OF THE THIRD PLENARY MEETING OF THE UNITED
STATES-UKRAINE BINATIONAL COMMISSION
December 8, 1999
The Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, and the President of
Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, met on December 8, 1999 in Washington, D.C.,
to review progress achieved by the United States-Ukraine Binational
Commission in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two
countries. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the concrete
results achieved on a wide range of issues and initiatives.
The talks reconfirmed a high degree of mutual understanding and
cooperation and a shared desire to intensify the U.S.-Ukraine
strategic partnership. The Vice President and the President agreed to
strengthen the capabilities of the Commission to promote progress in
the fields of foreign policy, security, sustainable economic
cooperation, and trade and investment. The Vice President and the
President were briefed by the Committee Co-Chairmen on their joint
work and accomplishments.
COOPERATION IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND SECURITY
The Vice President and the President paid special attention to the
shared objective of strengthening Ukraine's relationship with Europe
and enhancing its cooperation with Euro-Atlantic structures and
confirmed the importance of ensuring that the path toward integration
remains open to all potential aspirants who are working toward meeting
the necessary criteria. President Kuchma reiterated Ukraine's European
choice and its aspiration for EU associate and eventual full
membership status. The sides noted the importance of strengthening
Ukraine/NATO relations and realizing more fully the possibilities and
mechanisms contained in the Charter on a Distinctive Partnership
between Ukraine and NATO, including the reform of the Ukrainian armed
forces and an enhancement of their training.
The sides expressed satisfaction with the results of the OSCE
[Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe] Summit in
Istanbul, in particular with the contents of the European Security
Charter. They recognized the important work of the OSCE project
coordinator in Kyiv. The United States side noted Ukraine's initiative
to set up an OSCE center on ethnic studies.
The sides noted the significance of Ukraine's election to the United
Nations Security Council and the importance of the role and new
responsibilities Ukraine will assume. They also noted the importance
of ensuring close cooperation and regular consultations between the
United States and Ukraine on issues concerning the UN Security Council
agenda.
Vice President Gore and President Kuchma expressed satisfaction with
the level of bilateral cooperation between the United States and
Ukraine on foreign policy, defense and security matters and stressed
the importance of the further development and deepening of their
cooperation in these areas. The sides welcomed progress made in
Ukraine toward facilitating the removal of technical barriers that
will advance the implementation of projects in these areas, including
the signing of the Agreement on Implementation of Military
International Assistance.
The Vice President noted the constructive role of Ukraine in
maintaining peace and stability in Central and Eastern Europe and
praised United States-Ukrainian cooperation in the area of European
and regional security, in particular regarding the search for peace in
Kosovo. President Kuchma thanked the United States for its assistance
in support of the Ukrainian contingent in the peacekeeping mission in
Kosovo. The United States side commended Ukraine's participation in
this mission and noted the importance of assistance provided by other
NATO states.
The United States side noted its support for Ukraine's full
participation in and contribution towards the Stability Pact for
Southeastern Europe, including in all working tables and in the
development of concrete projects for Ukraine's neighbors in
southeastern Europe. Recognizing considerable economic losses incurred
by Ukraine as a result of blockage of the Danube, the sides agreed on
the importance of the prompt resolution of all issues related to the
resumption of Danube navigation.
The Vice President and the President expressed satisfaction with the
first steps taken to advance the Polish-American-Ukrainian Cooperation
Initiative in the areas of macroeconomic policy, development of small
and medium-size businesses and reform of local governing. They agreed
to consider expanding this initiative to other spheres.
Vice President Gore and President Kuchma welcomed the high degree of
bilateral cooperation in the area of non-proliferation. They
recognized the importance of efforts to redirect the expertise of
Ukrainian weapons scientists, including through the Science and
Technology Center in Ukraine. The Vice President noted the importance,
in particular, of Ukraine's Chairmanship of the South Asia Task Force.
The United States side reiterated its intention to continue to assist
Ukraine on upgrading Ukraine's national export control systems as well
as to expand threat reduction activities. The sides agreed to
establish a Joint Consultative Economic Mechanism to allow for regular
consultations on a wide range of defense economic matters.
Vice President Gore and President Kuchma welcomed the signature of the
agreement to establish a Regional Environmental Center in Ukraine, an
initiative supported by the United States and the European Union.
DEEPENING DEMOCRACY AND TRANSFORMATION IN UKRAINE
The Vice President noted the important endorsement by the Ukrainian
people in the recent presidential elections in Ukraine for democracy
and market economic reforms, as well as for the realization of
Ukraine's European choice.
Vice President Gore and President Kuchma noted the significance of
developing a new generation of leaders and professionals in Ukraine to
advance and support the long-term establishment of a market-oriented
democracy in Ukraine. The United States side announced the
establishment of the Next Generation Initiative. The Vice President
noted with interest the Ukrainian initiative to establish a Ukrainian
Development Corps; the United States side expressed its willingness to
consider technical assistance to support this initiative.
The President reiterated Ukraine's commitment to a policy of economic
reform and briefed the Vice President on Ukraine's program to
accelerate reforms and implement a complex of prompt measures aimed at
strengthening financial and economic performance in Ukraine, both in
the near term and over the next five years. Both sides stressed the
importance of rapid action, noting that the economic and financial
situation in Ukraine remains fragile. President Kuchma reconfirmed
Ukraine's intention to improve performance under its programs with the
IMF and World Bank and to take all necessary steps as soon as possible
to intensify its cooperation and programs with these institutions. The
U.S. reaffirmed ongoing U.S. support for democratic and economic
reform in Ukraine.
The sides agreed to continue consultations on advancing Ukraine's
accession to the World Trade Organization and Ukraine's participation
in the next round of multilateral trade negotiations within the
framework of this organization. The United States side encouraged
Ukraine to take all necessary legislative and other steps to advance
its prospects towards WTO accession and indicated its willingness to
continue to provide appropriate assistance toward this end. The
Ukrainian side expressed its interest in the continuation of the U.S.
chairmanship of the Working Group of Ukraine's accession to the WTO.
The Ukrainian side welcomed the U.S. Congress's passage of the renewal
of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences program, effective from
July 1, 1999 to September 30, 2001. The sides, noting progress
achieved by Ukraine on the passage of national legislation concerning
the protection of intellectual property rights, emphasized the
importance of Ukraine taking prompt steps to further strengthen
legislation and the enforcement of intellectual property rights,
especially including measures related to the production and export of
optical media.
The Ukrainian side stressed the importance of granting Ukraine the
status of normal trade relations with the United States on a permanent
and unconditional basis. The United States side confirmed Ukraine's
continuing compliance with Jackson-Vanik criteria.
The sides welcomed the conclusion of the Project Incentive Agreement
between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the National Bank of
Ukraine, and the Export-Import Bank of the United States, that will
strengthen the basis for expanding bilateral trade and economic
cooperation. The sides highlighted the importance of early actions to
resolve outstanding problems of U.S. companies in Ukraine. The sides
also acknowledged that a few Ukrainian firms experienced problems in
joint U.S.-Ukraine projects.
The sides welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
between the Department of Commerce and the Ukrainian Ministry of
Foreign Economic Relations and Trade, which provides for continued
consultations on issues involving application of U.S. trade law and
will be the basis for the creation of a special working group on
market access and technical assistance.
The sides noted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on
registration procedures of USAID technical assistance projects with
the Government of Ukraine. The two sides also signed a Memorandum of
Understanding that sets forth USAID and Government of Ukraine
assistance priorities for FY2000.
Both sides confirmed their intention to continue to give priority
attention to the Kharkiv Initiative, a cooperative effort to encourage
balanced economic growth in the Kharkiv region. The Ukrainian side
expressed its appreciation for the accomplishments by the United
States under the Kharkiv Initiative during its first year, including
the assignment of a senior adviser in Kharkiv, the organization of an
Energy Trade and Investment Conference in Kharkiv, and the delivery of
over $18 million worth of medical equipment, supplies and
pharmaceuticals to Kharkiv. The sides agreed on the importance of
moving as rapidly as possible on preparation and implementation of the
strategic plan for economic development in the Kharkiv region.
The sides noted with satisfaction the potential opportunities for
United States-Ukrainian co-operation provided under the bilateral
commercial space launch agreement, highlighted by the first successful
commercial launches of the "Sea-Launch" project. They also noted the
significance of the September 29, 1999 signings of the Memorandum of
Understanding on space cooperation and the rocket technology
safeguards agreement. The United States side reconfirmed its intention
to provide up to $3 million, as provided for by this Memorandum, for
cooperative research related to the International Space Station. Vice
President Gore recognized the Government of Ukraine's desire to
advance the project of aerospace cooperation between Ukraine and
Brazil and noted that the United States would consider proposals by
U.S. firms to cooperate on the project.
President Kuchma thanked Vice President Gore for providing important
assistance to improve nuclear safety and strengthen Ukraine's nuclear
infrastructure. He gave special recognition to the joint Nuclear Fuel
Qualification Project, aimed at helping Ukraine develop a
cost-effective and secure supply of nuclear fuel. The sides also
stressed the importance of Ukraine's contribution to completion of the
replacement heat plant for the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. They
welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation on Chornobyl
Health Effects Research.
Vice President Gore and President Kuchma agreed to continue U.S. and
Ukrainian efforts to implement the Memorandum of Understanding between
the G-7 countries, the European Commission and Ukraine concerning the
closure of Chornobyl in 2000. Ukraine reaffirmed its commitment to
close Chornobyl permanently, in accordance with the MOU, and urged all
other sides to the MOU to fulfill their obligations. The United States
confirmed its commitment to the MOU and, as part of the G-7, will
assist in mobilizing a second pledging conference, tentatively
scheduled for May 2000, to help raise additional funds for the
Chornobyl Shelter Implementation Plan. President Kuchma informed Vice
President Gore about the talks with the EBRD on funding for the
completion of nuclear units at the K4/R2 nuclear power plants.
Vice President Gore noted the importance of attracting strategic
investors in energy privatization and welcomed President Kuchma's plan
to introduce transparent procedures and carry out tenders on sold-out
share packages of energy generating companies in 2000. A Memorandum of
Understanding between the Governments of Ukraine and the United States
on technical assistance from the Government of the United States of
America Concerning Reforming Issues of the Electric Power Sector of
Ukraine was signed.
The United States side expressed its support for Ukraine's desire to
participate actively in the emerging east-west energy corridor from
the Caspian region to world markets, within the context of the U.S.'s
broader Caspian energy policy. The positive conclusions of the
technical and economic feasibility study prepared by an independent
U.S. company, assisted by the U.S. Trade and Economic Development
Agency, were positively received. The United States side expressed
support for the realization of investments by international oil
companies in Ukrainian energy projects. The two sides signed a joint
statement applauding the recent approval of production sharing
legislation in Ukraine. The United States side encouraged the
government and the parliament of Ukraine to move forward on passing
enabling legislation and adopting bylaws and expressed its willingness
to continue providing relevant technical assistance.
COOPERATION IN THE LEGAL AND HUMANITARIAN SPHERES
The Vice President and President acknowledged the importance of
advancing cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of the
United States and Ukraine to combat organized crime, corruption, drug
trafficking, money laundering, automobile theft and the trafficking in
women and children. The sides agreed to intensify efforts to combat
these dangerous forms of criminal activity and to take specific steps
to this end. They also recognized the important coordinating role of
the Law Enforcement Working Group of the Foreign Policy Committee.
The sides were pleased to note the resolution of issues providing for
the provisional application of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, the
necessary legal basis for ensuring bilateral cooperation in the law
enforcement field. The sides confirmed their desire to bring this
Treaty into force and to take necessary steps to obtain legislative
approval.
President Kuchma confirmed his strong determination to combat
corruption and economic abuses in Ukraine. The sides welcomed
increased national commitments to combat corruption expressed in the
OSCE Charter for European Security and expressed a willingness to
consider further proposals for a bilateral extradition treaty.
The sides undertook to complete, by the earliest possible date, the
1999-2005 Program of U.S.-Ukrainian Cooperation for Combating
Corruption and Organized Crime, an action plan to enhance cooperation
and coordination between law enforcement authorities in the United
States and Ukraine on a wide range of issues. The sides also
acknowledged the importance of accelerating legal reform in Ukraine to
secure the rule of law as the underpinning of a modern economy and a
democratic society. The United States side expressed its readiness to
provide technical assistance as funding permits and an exchange of
information in this field.
The Ukrainian side expressed its desire to establish an institution to
provide information on Ukraine's legal system and its international
legal commitments to the public in Ukraine. The sides agreed to
consult further on the Ukrainian proposal.
The sides welcomed continuing cooperation in the health sector between
Ukraine and the United States. President Kuchma noted the importance
of U.S. assistance in support of reforming the social security and
pension systems in Ukraine.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the constructive U.S.-Ukrainian
co-operation on preserving cultural heritage and reaffirmed their
intent fully to implement the bilateral agreement "On the Protection
and Preservation of Cultural Heritage." They stressed the importance
of intensifying the work of the Joint U.S.-Ukrainian Commission on
Cultural Heritage by meeting early in 2000 and enlarging its scope of
joint projects and initiatives.
The sides plan to hold the next meeting of the Binational Commission
in 2000 in Kyiv.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State)