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President Türk concludes official visit to Ukraine

Kiev, Kharkiv, Kulynychi, 12.10.2011  |  press release


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The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, meets the Chairman of the Supreme Rada of Ukraine, Dr Volodymyr Lytvyn (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)On the second day of his official visit to Ukraine, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, met the Chairman of the Supreme Rada of Ukraine, Dr Volodymyr Lytvyn. The two agreed that the relationships between Ukraine and Slovenia were good and that there were possibilities for their further improvement. The Chairman of the Supreme Rada, Ukraine's parliament, called for strengthening cooperation between the Slovenian and Ukrainian parliaments. President Türk said that Slovenia was a firm supporter of Ukraine's future in Europe and emphasised the importance of fulfilling the criteria for EU membership. He particularly stressed the significance of compliance with the criteria of independent judicial systems and fair trials, and pointed to the necessity of building trust based on consistent compliance with these criteria.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, holding a lecture on 'European Security and Cooperation Today' at the Institute of International Relations of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kiev (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)President Türk then visited the Institute of International Relations at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kiev, where he gave a lecture entitled 'European Security and Cooperation Today'. In his lecture, President Türk spoke of the current global threats to international peace and security caused by phenomena such as terrorism, organised crime, ethnic tensions and conflicts, and social disintegration.

President Türk said that the role of the states in international peace and security has remained fundamental and especially noted Ukraine's important role in security and cooperation in Europe, deriving from its geopolitical position, size and economic strength. He emphasised the significance of human rights, political stability, democracy and human safety as the factors of international peace and security, which are today of vital importance. President Türk asserted that the international security system should also provide for resolution of conflicts, including 'frozen' conflicts. Ukraine can contribute significantly to finding solutions for the issues in Moldova and the Caucasus, said President Türk. He added that the participation of international and regional organisations would facilitate the resolving of conflict situations.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, meets the Governor, Head of Kharkiv Regional State Administration, Mykhail Dobkin (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)President Türk then visited Kharkiv, where he met the governor, Head of Kharkiv Regional State Administration, Mykhail Dobkin, and his staff, as well as the Mayor of Kharkiv, Gennady Kernes. The governor pointed to the vigorous and promising links between the companies from the Kharkiv region and Slovenia. He said that numerous agreements confirm strong interest in and indicate opportunities for cooperation. President Türk drew attention to the need to develop not only economic, but also other relations. He mentioned the forthcoming twinning agreement between the Ukrainian and Slovenian cities Kharkiv and Maribor, next year's European Capital of Culture, and called on the two cities to forge as many cultural links as possible within this project.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, and the Governor — Head of Kharkiv Regional State Administration, Mykhail Dobkin, attend the signing of the Letter of Intent for the Project Kharkiv Waste Management System Reform (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)President Türk and Governor Dobkin then attended the Ukrainian-Slovenian Business Conference, where they both addressed an audience of business people from the two countries; they also attend the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements. The mayor of Kharkiv and the director general of the Slovenian company Riko signed a letter of intent for the project 'Kharkiv Waste Management System Reform'. The Ukrainian company Turboatom signed a protocol on business cooperation in the development and supply of technological equipment for the modernisation of a foundry and thermal treatment of castings with Riko, and a declaration of intent regarding the production and supply of mechanical castings with the Slovenian company Litostroj Jeklo. The Slovenian companies Gostol-Gopan, BTF and Etrade signed framework agreements for the supply of equipment to the Ukrainian company Kulynychivskyy Bread-Baking Plant.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, holding a lecture entitled 'New States in the International Community: Example of Slovenia and Ukraine' at the V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)President Türk also visited V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University and presented to its rector, Dr Vil Bakirov, the gift of the Iconotheca Valvasoriana Collection. President Türk then held a lecture entitled 'New States in the International Community: Example of Slovenia and Ukraine'. On this occasion, President Türk was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university.

At the lecture, President Türk spoke about the new states that were created after the disintegration of former socialist federations from 1991 to 1993. The successor states that acquired full sovereignty and became new full members of the international community had to address many issues. He defined those related to succession, security and participation in international integrations as the most important ones. He compared the Slovenian and Ukrainian experience in this context, and reiterated the view that the European perspective is a natural and legitimate orientation for Ukraine and a strategic necessity for the European Union. He emphasised that, in real terms, the Ukrainian accession to the EU and its membership would be a demanding and lengthy process with the main focus on the gradual fulfilment of criteria for the EU membership.

President Türk concluded his official visit to Ukraine by visiting the Kulynychivskyy Bread-Baking Plant, where he met its management, visited the production facilities and together with the company's owner, Volodymyr Mysiy, laid the foundation stone for a grain milling plant.


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Lecture at the V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University

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