President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych took part in the plenary session of the Summit Eastern Partnership in Vilnius.

The forum was attended by representatives of 34 countries at the level of the heads of state and ministers, as well as EU leaders.

also in this issue:

Ukrainian-British trade and investment keep positive trends

Page 3

Ukrainian wine presented in London

Page 3

John Hughes bicentenary was commemorated in Cardiff

Page 4

Ukraine Digest, Friday, November 29, 2013

Page 2

President reaffirms intention of Ukraine to sign Agreement with EU in near future

UKRAINE intends to sign the Association Agreement with the EU in near future. It was stated by the President at the plenary session of the Summit Eastern Partnership in Vilnius. I reaffirm the intentions of Ukraine to sign the Association Agreement in the nearest future, he noted. The President reminded that Ukraine and the EU had been going a difficult path of negotiations and search for compromises for 6 years already. According to him, there are only several crucial steps left to be made. They are related to the necessity of creating preconditions that will ensure maximum results from the implementation of the Agreement, Viktor Yanukovych said. The Head of State expressed confidence that Ukraine and the EU would decently go through that final stage. Direct Quotes:
Jan Tombinski, The Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, Angela Merkel, German Chancellor, I am confident that the introduction without delay of the visafree regime for Ukrainian citizens would be the most revealing step that would indicate that the EU is actually ready to open its door for us

european integration

Its main task should be the implementation of the program of joint measures aimed at the adaptation of Ukrainian economy to the new realities, the President stressed. Given the new trade-economic conditions, Ukraine must prepare not only to the timely implementation of the Association Agreement, but also to the minimization of negative consequences of the initial period that will be definitely felt by the most vulnerable groups of Ukrainians, the Head of State emphasized. Thus, our joint work over the

program of economic assistance to Ukraine is essential for it will let us prepare to the signature of the Agreement, Viktor Yanukovych noted. According to the President, such program should become the result of joint efforts of Ukraine and the EU. I am confident that due to the given work, the existing contradictions will be eliminated providing an opportunity to sign the Agreement and go the determined strategic way of European integration without serious economic losses, the Head of State Viktor Yanukovych, said. Presidents speech at plenary Ukrainian President session of Summit Eastern Partnership can be viewed here.
Francois Hollande, French President,

believes that the European way of Ukraine is a non-alternative historical choice. He said this on November 28 in Vilnius on the sidelines of the Conference Eastern Partnership Reality Check: Political Challenges and Future Agenda for Civil Society. However, Mr Tombinski expressed admiration for the young generation of Ukrainians who took to the streets to support the countrys European integration.

said that she hopes that the European Unions Association Agreement with Ukraine will be signed at some point in the future. Unfortunately, not all expectations were met... We expressed our readiness to bring Ukraine to association and sign the agreement. The door is open.
Andriy Honcharuk, Advisor to the President of Ukraine:

said that the European Union leaves the door open for association with Ukraine. Partnership between the EU and Ukraine remains unchanged. But the prospect of association depends on Ukrainians. From our side the door will always be open for them, but on the condition that they themselves want that.
Serhiy Arbuzov, First Deputy PM of Ukraine:

The Ukraine-EU summit, which is scheduled for March 2014, will be the next opportunity to sign the Association Agreement. By that time a joint working group is expected to tackle all controversial issues which stipulated the suspension of the AA signature.

Ukraines course towards European integration remains unchanged. There is no turnaround in Ukraines policy. Ukraine needs Europe and a European course. We have done a lot to be here. Well work today, and Im confident that our missions work will be successful. Ukraine realized that the process of European integration and the transformations involved would not be easy.
www.UkraineDigest.co.uk

Ukraine Digest, Friday, November 29, 2013

Page 3

economy

Ukraine-EU Air Services Agreement initialled

UKRAINE and the European Union have initialled the Air Services Agreement. The intialling took place on the margins of the Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit on November 28. The Agreement reached in Vilnius will allow the EU and Ukraine to become partners in aviation through gradual market integration. It is an important stepping stone for our strategy to achieve closer cooperation between the EU and its neighbours, particularly in the context of the Eastern Partnership, European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas said. On behalf of Ukraine the instrument has been initialed by Head of the State Aviation Service of Ukraine Anatoliy Kolisnyk. The Agreement aims at gradual opening the mutual aviation markets and integrate Ukraine into a wider European common aviation area. To attain these objectives, Ukraine will have to align its legislation with EU aviation standards and enforce EU requirements in areas such as aviation safety, air traffic management, security, environment, economic regulation, competition, consumer protection and social aspects. The sides are expected to sign the Agreement in 2014.

UkrainianBritish trade and investment keep positive trends

On November 28, 2013 the presentation of the Ukrainian Massandra wines was held at the Embassy of Ukraine. The event was organized by the diplomatic mission of Ukraine in partnership with the International Diplomatic Supplies Company (IDS), which distributes the Massandra wines among the representatives of the diplomatic corps of London. The representatives of the governmental, political and business circles as well as diplomatic corps, international and public organisations visited the event. The guests had the opportunity to view several paintings by the wellknown Ukrainian artist Dmytro Dobrovolsky. The numerous exhibitions of his works were held in London with great success. Joyful atmosphere at the event was created by a talented Ukrainian singer Diana Syrotina. She performed Ukrainian songs. The total volume of bilateral trade in goods and services between the United Kingdom and Ukraine has grown during three quarters of 2013 in comparison to the same period of 2012 by 14% and amounted to almost $2.6 bln. According to the data provided by the Government Statistics Agency at the end of third quarter of 2013 the volume of goods and services exported from Ukraine to the United Kingdom grew by 2% and reached about $ 900 mln. At the same time, for the three quarters of 2013 the volume of goods and services, imported from the United Kingdom to Ukraine, grew by 21% in comparison to the same period of 2012 and amounted to $1.7 bln.
www.UkraineDigest.co.uk

Ukraine Digest, Friday, November 29, 2013

Page 4

history

krainian state flag was raised over the Cardiff harbor on November 13. It marked an opening of an art exhibition dedicated to the 200th anniversary of John Hughes, Welsh engineer and founder of city Donetsk. The event was organized by the Embassy of Ukraine to the United Kingdom. First Minister of the Welsh Government Carwyn Jones, Mayor of Donetsk Olexander Lukyanchenko, Mayor of Cardiff Derek Morgan, members of the National Assembly of Wales, Ambassador of Ukraine Volodymyr Khandogiy and representatives of the Ukrainian community attended the opening of the exhibition of Ms Tetyana Ponomarenko-Laverash, honored artist of Ukraine. The exhibition Hughesovka. The future begins in the past, will be on display until November 17 at the Norwegian Church Arts Centre. During the opening ceremony, Ambassador Khandogiy em-

phasised that, having invested his skills and inspiration in Ukraine Mr. John Hughes proved that advanced technology can bring great improvements, modernization and development despite political boundaries. Thus, we can say that Ukraines advancement on the track of the European integration in its practical dimension has started a long time ago, in particular with the help of such pioneers as John Hughes, said the Ambassador. In his turn Carwyn Jones, First Minister of the Welsh Government, underlined the importance of such cultural projects for developing bilateral regional co-operation between Ukraine and Wales. Welcoming the VIP-guests on behalf of the Donetsk City Administration Oleksandr Lukyanchenko stated that the name of John Hughes was remembered and respected in modern Donetsk. His innovative and creative approach to business serves as an example for the people of

Thus, we can say that Ukraines advancement on the track of the European integration in its practical dimension has started a long time ago, in particular with the help of such pioneers as John Hughes Volodymyr Khandogiy, Ukraines Ambassador

Donetsk today. On this occasion Oleksandr Lukyanchenko invited the guests to visit Donetsk next year and to participate in the celebrations dedicated to the commemoration of John Hughes bicentenary. During the event the Mayor of Donetsk presented the picture Hughesovka by Tetyana Ponomarenko-Laverash to the city of Cardiff as a sign of friendship. This extraordinary piece of art was created with the help of children with disabilities. The Mayor of Donetsk Oleksandr Lukyanchenko and Ambassador Volodymyr Khandogiy also laid a wreath to the monument of John Hughes in West Norwood in London. This monument has been restored with the financial support of Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetovs Foundation Development of Ukraine. The ceremony was held with the assistance of Bob Flanagan, President of the Friends of West Norwood Cemetery community.
Tel.: 020 7727 6312 E-mail: press@ukremb.org.uk Address: 60 Holland Park, London W11 3SJ

For more information, please, contact Oksana Kyzyma, Press Secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine to the UK Issue #27, November 29, 2013

In the preparation of this issue materials of UKRINFORM were used