Paris, 1 December 2005.- Led by the President of the Assembly, Stef GORIS (Belgium, Liberal), a delegation from the Interparliamentary European Security and Defence (WEU) Assembly composed of Jean-Pierre MASSERET (France, Leader of the Socialist group), Mike HANCOCK (United Kingdom, Leader of the Liberal Group) and Jean-Guy BRANGER (France, representing the Federated Group) visited Kiev this week at the invitation of the Speaker of the Supreme Rada, Mr Volodymyr LYTVYN, for discussions on the eve of the EU-Ukraine Summit.

“We believe that the EU must recognise that Ukraine has made immense progress in one short year since the events of autumn 2004 and that it should encourage the authorities in Kiev to continue their efforts to ensure that the forthcoming parliamentary elections are a model for others”, said President GORIS.

“Given Ukraine’s central role in helping maintain peace and stability in the region, the EU should take every opportunity to cooperate with Kiev in all possible areas covered by the European Security and Defence Policy”. “The agreement on the deployment of EU Border Guards and Customs Officials to help survey the Ukraine/Moldova/Transdniestria border is an excellent initiative and will build confidence in Ukraine’s willingness to cooperate in the battle against trafficking in arms, persons, drugs etc.…”

In discussions with the Prime Minister, Mr Yuriy YEKHANUROV, the Foreign Minister, Mr Borys TARASYUK, and the Secretary of the Council of National Security and Defence, Mr Anatoliy KINAKH, Ukraine’s European vocation was emphasised repeatedly and the Delegation expressed a wish to see Ukraine welcomed into full membership of the European family, in due course.

President Goris supported Ukraine’s demand that “Thursday’s Summit should send a strong signal that the EU not only welcomes Ukraine’s European aspirations but is prepared to take concrete steps to start the process leading to recognition of Ukraine’s declared candidature”.

Meeting the Defence Minister, Mr Anatoliy HRYTSENKO, and Chief of the Defence Staff, Colonel-General Serhiy KYRYCHENKO, the Delegation was impressed with Ukraine’s continuing re-development of its Armed Forces and the setting up of a 28 000-strong rapid action force to be put at the disposal of both NATO and the EU.

The Minister of Industry, Mr Volodymyr SHANDRA, who heads Ukraine’s defence procurement complex, much regretted the EU’s lack of response on industrial and technical cooperation with Ukraine. “Fortunately, countries such as the United States, Brazil and India are not as slow in recognising Ukraine’s prowess, especially where aerospace technology is concerned”, he declared.

Thanking the Assembly for the warm welcome extended to members of the Supreme Rada, who can participate in the Assembly’s activities, Mr Speaker LYTVYN emphasised the Assembly’s vital role as the only interparliamentary body where national parliamentarians can together discuss all aspects of security and defence from a purely European viewpoint and make recommendations directly to governments.