Chairman-in-Office meets Ukrainian President for talks on OSCE and regional matters

KYIV, 16 January 2008 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva, met Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko today and congratulated Ukraine on its progress pursuing political reforms and consolidating its democratic system.

Minister Kanerva also added that the OSCE was keen to continue to work on practical projects in Ukraine that would support the country.

"The OSCE has a strong track record in Ukraine, and we are happy to assist if requested," said the Minister Kanerva, who is on his first visit to a country hosting an OSCE field operation since Finland took over the OSCE Chairmanship from Spain on January 1.

Yesterday, the Chairman-in-Office met Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ogryzko and said the OSCE stood ready to assist the new Ukrainian government in pursuing further political and economic reforms.

"Ukraine is ready to move ahead with reforms, and the OSCE looks forward to building on its strong relationship with the Government," he said after those talks.

The two-day visit to Ukraine also included meetings with Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Hryhoriy Nemyrya and the Speaker of Parliament, Arseniy Yatseniuk.

Minister Kanerva welcomed Ukraine's commitment to the 5+2 negotiating process regarding the Transdniestrian settlement and expressed satisfaction that he had heard from Ukrainian officials that he could continue to rely on the country's active engagement. He will be travelling to Moldova, including its Transdniestrian region, today for talks there tomorrow.

En route from Kyiv to Chisinau, Minister Kanerva is scheduled to visit the headquarters of the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) in Odessa. Border management is one of Finland's priorities for its year chairing the OSCE.