Catharine Ashton discusses situation in Belarus with Ukrainian Foreign Minister

• 28.10.2010, 11:22

In particular, the situation in the country ahead of the presidential election scheduled for December 19 was discussed.

The European Union wants to move forward on negotiations for an Association Agreement with Ukraine, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said.

The EU representatives made this statement after her meeting with Ukrainian foreign minister Konstantin Hryshchenko in Brussels on October 26. The EU is also looking for progress in the dialogue on visa regime liberalization, Ashton noted.

“Ukraine is a European country. Our relationship is very important and we want to deepen and to develop it,” the info center of ENPI, the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, quotes Ashton.

Hryshchenko said a wide range of issues in view of the upcoming Ukraine-EU summit on November 22 was covered at the meeting, BelaPAN news agency reports.

A constitutional reform, described by Ashton at a key priority for Ukraine, was also discussed.

“We hope that it would be carried through an inclusive process with the aim of establishing a lasting system of checks and balances that accord with European standards,” the EU Representative stressed.

Catherine Ashton also said she and her Ukrainian colleague had exchanged their views on relations with Russia, “which is a strategic partner for both of us” and looked at the situation in Belarus, as well as the question of Transnistria in the Republic of Moldova.

“And we have been looking at the situation in Belarus, which is preparing for elections on 19 December. The conduct of those Presidential elections will be very important for our relations,” Ashton noted.