Foreign Minister Paet: President Assuming Office Creates Good Situation for Stabilisation of Domestic Politics in Ukraine

01.03.2010

On Monday, 22 February Foreign Minister Urmas Paet attended a meeting of the European Union external relations council in Brussels, where topics of discussion were the situation in Ukraine, building up Haiti, and Iran.

In talking about the situation in Ukraine after the presidential elections, the European Union foreign policy leaders expressed hope that after the democratically executed elections Ukraine’s domestic political situation would stabilise and Ukraine would be able to carry out necessary reforms more rapidly than before. “Ukraine must continue implementing constitutional reforms and co-operating with the International Monetary Fund and other international organisations to stay on the course for European Union integration,” said Foreign Minister Paet. “Ukraine must develop stricter financial discipline,” Paet added.

The European Union foreign ministers feel that faster progress should be made with the European Union-Ukraine association agreement, as well as in free trade agreement negotiations between the EU and Ukraine. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that visa facilitation and moving towards visa freedom play an essential role in Ukrainian society becoming more integrated with the European Union.

While talking about the situation in Ukraine, the European Union foreign ministers also addressed energy security issues. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the European Union and Ukraine must intensify energy-related co-operation. “In order to avoid gas crises, Ukraine must increase transparency in the supply and transit process for natural gas and intensify co-operation with the European Union for the creation of a more effective gas distribution system in Ukraine,” noted Foreign Minister Paet.

The European Union foreign ministers talked about the post-earthquake restoration work being done in Haiti and emphasised the importance of comprehensive co-ordination in planning long-term reconstruction work in Haiti. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that currently there are close to one hundred thousand people homeless in Haiti, and a shelter solution must be devised with the help of the European Union by the end of April. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet confirmed that Estonia has allocated 2.5 million kroons to alleviate the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and has donated 3.16 million kroons’ worth of expert aid and supplies through International Humanitarian Partnership.

The European Union external relations council also discussed the Iran nuclear issue and the steadily worsening human rights situation in Iran.

More information:
Marika Post, press spokesperson, Estonia’s Permanent Representation to the EU
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