President Viktor Yushchenko took part in a joint meeting of EU member countries and Black Sea region countries Foreign Ministers. President's press office reports.
Opening the meeting the President stressed that Ukraine shares and supports ideas of strengthening rapprochement between the EU and the Black Sea region by means of common projects, stated in Communication from the European Commission to the European Council and the European parliament “Black Sea synergy – a new regional cooperation initiative of April 11, 2007. According to Yushchenko, due to the fact that the Black Sea region is an integral part of a single Europe, there are lots of opportunities of cooperation for both European and Black Sea region countries.
Among priority directions of cooperation development for Ukraine the President named management of the “frozen” conflicts, gradual implementation of free cross border movement of citizens, goods and services, working out a new quality energy policy in the region and in Europe as a whole. Effective use of region’s transit potential, such as establishment of fully functional Eurasia transport corridor, as well as strengthening humanitarian and cultural cooperation to Viktor Yushchenko is also very important as it will help the region to better integrate with European and global economic and cultural space.
Summarizing his address the President expressed assurance that future common projects will create a new dimension of international cooperation in both Black Sea region and Europe.
