Statement
by
H.E. Mr. Anatoliy Zlenko, Minister
for Foreign Affairs
of Ukraine
Esteemed
Mr. Chairman,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, let me welcome the
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mr.
Svilanovych at this meeting. His participation
testifies recognition by the international
community of those democratic changes
that have taken place, of readiness
of Belgrade to undertake measures
on its way towards integration into
the European family of nations. Ukraine
completely supports Yugoslavia in
those steps.
Recognizing the importance of joint
efforts of Yugoslavia and NATO to
settle the situation in the Balkans,
I'd like to especially underline that
they are joint. This commonality marks
a qualitatively new stage of development
of security situation at the peninsula.
In this context the decisions on
gradual and conditional return of
the Yugoslav Armed Forces to the Land
Security Zone and enforcement of KFOR
control over the Kosovo (FRY) -Macedonian
border are timely and weighty.
Ukraine sticks to its principal position
of support of sovereignty and territorial
integrity of the Republic of Macedonia
and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
I am deeply convinced that the final
settlement of Balkan crisis is possible
only on conditions of steadfast adherence
of all participants of peace process
to the Resolution 1244 (1999) of the
UN Security Council.
I avail myself of this opportunity
to express my gratitude to the countries,
which provided support for participation
of the Ukrainian peacekeepers in KFOR
within the Ukrainian-Polish battalion.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, in four years after establishment
of the Euro-atlantic Partnership Council
it has become evident that this structure
is one of the most successful international
innovations of the end of 20th century
in the field of international security.
Uniting the potential of 46 countries,
it has all chances to increase its
contribution to the building of united
stable Europe free of dividing lines.
The position of Ukraine with regard
to this issue has been repeatedly
sounded. Therefore, I'd like, without
going into details, to turn your attention
to the joint Ukrainian-Turkish document,
which we have recently presented within
the framework of EAPC. It evaluates
the stage of cooperation in non-military
spheres, to which Ukraine pays a special
attention.
I hope that this document will become
a catalyst of constructive proposals
and substantial enrichment of our
joint activities.
I avail myself of this opportunity
to thank for genuine support as well
as timely and efficient assistance
provided by NATO member states and
partner countries to overcome flood
consequences in the Transcarpathian
region of Ukraine this March.
However, we are convinced that it
is necessary not only to learn how
to successfully overcome the consequences
of natural disasters. It is important
to prevent them. In this connection,
Fd like to underline once again the
importance of practical realization
of Ukraine-NATO Pilot project to prevent
floods in Transcarpathia with participation
of Moldova, Romania and Slovakia.
Thank you for attention.
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