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Official visit by the President of Slovenia in Ukraine

Kiev, 11.10.2011  |  press release


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The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, is received by the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, arrived on a two-day official visit to Ukraine, where he was received by his host, the Ukrainian President, Viktor Yanukovych. After a welcoming ceremony with military honours, the two presidents had a one-on-one meeting, followed by plenary discussions between the delegations of Ukraine and Slovenia under the leadership of both presidents. During his official visit to Ukraine, Danilo Türk is accompanied by a sizeable delegation of Slovenian business people, consisting of 76 representatives from 63 Slovenian companies.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, is received by the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)During the talks, the Ukrainian and Slovenian Presidents particularly focused on bilateral relations and opportunities for strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. They also discussed the closer integration of Ukraine to the European Union. The President of Slovenia particularly emphasised the importance of fulfilling EU membership criteria, highlighting compliance with international human-rights standards. The key criteria for EU membership include procedural rules providing for a fair trial, said the President Türk, in reaction to the conviction of the former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko.
During the official visit of the Slovenian President, the two countries concluded several agreements on cooperation:
  • Intergovernmental Agreement on cooperation in combating organised crime,
  • Protocol between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on strengthening cooperation in the European Union issues,
  • Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Tourism between the Ministry of the Economy of Slovenia and the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, and
  • Letter of Intent between the Customs Administration of the Republic of Slovenia and the State Customs Service of Ukraine on cooperation in customs control.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, is received by the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)On the part of Slovenia, the Agreement, Protocol and Memorandum were signed by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dragoljuba Benčina, and the Letter of Intent by the Director General of the Customs Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, Rajko Skubic.

In his statement to the press, the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych emphasised that the official visit of the President of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, opened a new page in the political dialogue between the two countries. He highlighted that Ukraine was just concluding the chapters on the association agreement and free trade agreement with the European Union. On this occasion, he thanked President Türk for Slovenia's continuous support to Ukraine's efforts to join the European Union and for his commitment to the prompt signing of a visa-free regime between the EU and Ukraine, which, in his opinion, is very important in terms of interpersonal relations.
The President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, and the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attend the signing of cooperation agreements between Ukraine and the Republic of Slovenia (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)The two presidents also discussed the opportunities for strengthening economic cooperation in the trade in goods and services and in investments. President Yanukovych expressed his belief that the Ukrainian-Slovenian business forum, held during the official visit of the Slovenian president and attended by business representatives from both countries, would also contribute to this objective. According to the President Yanukovych, the visit of President Türk to the Harkovska region will help promote interregional cooperation, which is also important for enhancing economic cooperation and the European integration of Ukraine.

President Türk thanked President Yanukovych for the warm and friendly reception. He emphasised that Slovenia and Ukraine are connected by their cultural similarities and close historical ties, which have been further strengthened since their independence. He called for a broad political dialogue between the two countries. In addition to the trade in goods that has been increasing and that has not been affected significantly by the crisis, Slovenia also wants to facilitate cooperation in investment and resolve certain issues that have emerged in Ukraine in this respect. According to President Türk, relevant opportunities also exist in services, in particular in tourism.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, is received by the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)The talks largely focused on the EU issues, with President Türk highlighting Slovenia's commitment to a further enlargement of the Union. Within this context, Slovenia views Ukraine as a future EU member and has been consistent in taking this fundamental and long-term position in all its political contacts. Slovenia has also been advocating that the EU liberalise its visa regime for Ukraine, because human contacts are the basis for universal cooperation and for a genuine integration of Ukraine to the European Union.

President Türk defined two main conditions for Ukraine's progress in the process of integration to the European Union: first, that both Ukraine and EU Member States must have the political will and second, that Ukraine must fulfil the membership criteria of the European Union, which is not just an economic union but also a community of values. He emphasised that in this context, the criteria referring to the human-rights standards, as defined in the European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, are of particular importance.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, is received by the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)President Dr Danilo Türk made a reference to the conviction of the former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, emphasising in particular the importance of standards determining fair trials. He stressed that the procedural rules forming the system of fair trials are among the key criteria for European Union membership. They also include actual norms requiring that every accused person has enough time and appropriate conditions to provide for his defence and that proper contact with his lawyer is available to him. The President added that in the continued trial of Yulia Tymoshenko, the respect for international standards of fair trial would be of utmost importance, along with the respect for the principle of the independence and autonomy of the justice system.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, meets with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Dr Mikola Azarov (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)In the afternoon, President Dr Danilo Türk met with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Dr Mikola Azarov. The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction that the relations between the two countries were strengthening and the hope that the early parliamentary elections in Slovenia would not change that. He invited Slovenian investors to enter the Ukrainian market with greater flexibility. He also promised that the Ukrainian government would make every effort to maintain good relations between the two countries.
The President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, and the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attend the Ukrainian-Slovenian business forum, addressing business representatives from both countries (photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)The Ukrainian and Slovenian Presidents then attended the Ukrainian-Slovenian business forum, where they addressed the business representatives from both countries. President Yanukovych assured them that the Ukrainian authorities were endeavouring to create such business environment in Ukraine that would promote investments and production. Among the perspective areas for strengthening economic cooperation, President Türk highlighted the production of automotive parts, construction industry, telecommunications, chemical industry and food industry.
President Türk then attended a gala dinner held in his honour by the President Yanukovych.

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