Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

1999E0877 — EN — 20.12.2003 — 001.001 — 1

**This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents**

**►B** **EUROPEAN COUNCIL COMMON STRATEGY**

**of 11 December 1999**

**on Ukraine**

(1999/877/CFSP)

(OJ L 331, 23.12.1999, p. 1)

Amended by:

Official Journal

No page date

**►M1** Common Strategy 2003/897/CFSP of the European Council of 12 L 333 96 20.12.2003
December 2003

1999E0877 — EN — 20.12.2003 — 001.001 — 2

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**EUROPEAN COUNCIL COMMON STRATEGY**

**of 11 December 1999**

**on Ukraine**

(1999/877/CFSP)

THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, in particular Article
13(2) thereof,

Whereas the Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation (PCA)
between the European Communities, their Member States and Ukraine
entered into force on 1 March 1998,

HAS ADOPTED THIS COMMON STRATEGY:

PART I

**VISION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH**

**UKRAINE**

1. The strategic partnership between the European Union (EU) and
Ukraine, based on shared values and common interests, is a vital factor
enhancing peace, stability and prosperity in Europe. The freedom, independence and stability of Ukraine rank among the greatest
achievements in the new Europe rid of old dividing lines. Geography
as well as size, the resources of its population as well as its location
along the North-South and East-West axes give Ukraine a unique position in Europe and makes it a determinant regional actor.

2. Ukraine enjoys today excellent relations with all its neighbours
and has taken important steps in nation-building and towards consolidating its democracy. The fact that Ukraine has since independence
been a source of regional stability, despite its domestic difficulties and
diversities, is a laudable achievement. The EU welcomes the close
involvement of Ukraine in the stabilisation of its region and encourages
the strengthening of Ukraine's role in regional cooperation fora. The
EU also welcomes Ukraine's commitment to nuclear disarmament as
well as its cooperation in the maintenance of European and international peace and security, namely through the Organisation for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations.

3. The strategic partnership between the EU and Ukraine has been
continuously reinforced since the independence of Ukraine. In this
context, the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement is a significant
achievement. Ukraine was the first of the Newly Independent States to
sign such an agreement, thus marking the EU's and Ukraine's wish to
strengthen cooperation. Through macro-financial assistance, the Tacisprogramme, as well as through bilateral programmes, valuable support
is provided by the EU to help Ukraine in her transition and reform

process.

4. Following the current enlargement process, some future EU
Member States will share an external border with Ukraine. The enlargement of the Union will further enhance economic dynamism and
political stability in the region, thus increasing the possibilities for
cooperation with Ukraine.

5. The European Union has the following strategic goals with regard
to Ukraine:

— to contribute to the emergence of a stable, open and pluralistic
democracy in Ukraine, governed by the rule of law and underpinning a stable functioning market economy which will benefit all
the people of Ukraine;

— to cooperate with Ukraine in the maintenance of stability and
security in Europe and the wider world, and in finding effective
responses to common challenges facing the continent;

1999E0877 — EN — 20.12.2003 — 001.001 — 3

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— to increase economic, political and cultural cooperation with
Ukraine as well as cooperation in the field of justice and home
affairs.

6. The EU acknowledges Ukraine's European aspirations and
welcomes Ukraine's pro-European choice. The EU remains firmly
committed to working with Ukraine at national, regional and local
levels, in order to support a successful political and economic transformation in Ukraine, which will facilitate Ukraine's further
rapprochement with the EU. The EU and its Member States offer to
share with Ukraine their various experiences in building modern political, economic, social and administrative structures, fully recognising
that the main responsibility for Ukraine's future lies with Ukraine itself.

7. The European Council therefore adopts this Common Strategy to
strengthen the strategic partnership between the EU and Ukraine. The
European Council recognises that a successful, stable and secure
Ukraine is in the best of interests of the EU. The legal basis of the relationship between the EU and Ukraine is the Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement (PCA). The full implementation of this agreement is a prerequisite for Ukraine's succesful integration into the
European economy and will also help Ukraine assert its European identity.

8. The EU and its Member States will develop the coordination,
coherence and complementarity of all aspects of their policy towards
Ukraine. The Union, the Community and its Member States will also
work together with and within regional and international organisations
as well as with like-minded partners to meet the objectives set out in
the PCA and this Common Strategy. The positions taken by the
Community and its Member States in all relevant fora will conform to
this Common Strategy. The European Council invites Ukraine to work
with the EU on the basis of this Common Strategy to the benefit of
both.

PART II

**PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES**

The European Council has identified the following principal objectives:

I. Support for the democratic and economic transition process in
Ukraine

II. Ensuring stability and security and meeting common challenges on
the European continent

III. Support for strengthened cooperation between the EU and Ukraine
within the context of EU enlargement

I. **Support for the democratic and economic transition process in**
**Ukraine**

The EU and Ukraine have a common interest in accelerating the democratic and economic transition process in Ukraine. The successful
transformation in Ukraine will bring prosperity not only to Ukraine
but to the entire region. In order for this transition process to be
successful, reforms must take place to consolidate democracy and the
rule of law as well as economic and social reform in view of establishing a functioning market economy.

The EU proposes to strengthen cooperation with Ukraine in the
following priority areas:

I(i) _The consolidation of democracy, the rule of law and public institu-_
_tions in Ukraine_

9. The EU welcomes Ukraine's achievements in laying the foundations of a democratic system namely in establishing a multiparty
system and adopting a parliamentary constitution. The EU acknowledges Ukraine's achievements in maintaining its unity despite the
country's diverse make up.

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10. The EU supports Ukraine in all its efforts aiming at the consolidation of democracy and good governance, human rights and the rule
of law. The Union considers that the rule of law is a prerequisite for
the development of a functioning market economy which offers opportunities and benefits to all the citizens of Ukraine. The EU supports
Ukraine's efforts to reform the legal system in the framework of the
PCA. A properly functioning independent judiciary, a professional
police force, the development of a meritocratic, well-trained public
administration at national, regional and local levels are all key elements
in the effective implementation of government decisions. The EU
encourages Ukraine's efforts to develop the efficiency, transparency
and democratic character of its public institutions, including the development of free media. These are prerequisites for economic and social
development and contribute to the building of a modern civil society.

11. The EU attaches importance to the development of civil society
and a competitive, investor friendly business environment in Ukraine
and encourages closer links between the peoples and non governmental
organisations of the Union and Ukraine. The EU welcomes Ukraine's
agreement of a Memorandum of Understanding with the OSCE and
strongly recommends Ukraine to work in close cooperation with the
OSCE project-coordinator in Ukraine. The EU supports Ukraine's
efforts aiming at the protection and promotion of rights of minorities
and calls upon Ukraine to continue its good work in this domain,
including in cooperation with the High Commissioner for National
Minorities.

12. The EU attaches particular importance to close cooperation with
Ukraine in the framework of the Council of Europe and the OSCE. In
this context, the EU urges Ukraine to fulfill its commitments and to
adapt its legislation to meet the norms and standards of the Council of
Europe, in particular the obligations to which Ukraine signed up on its
accession to the Council of Europe in 1995. The EU takes note of the
findings of the OSCE/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights (ODIHR) election monitoring mission on the conduct of the
1999 presidential elections in Ukraine, to the effect that the conduct
of these elections failed to meet a number of OSCE commitments and
calls on Ukraine to heed the recommendations made by the OSCE
monitoring mission in its report with a view to future elections.

I(ii) _Support for the economic transition process in Ukraine_

13. The EU is committed to supporting Ukraine's efforts in establishing an environment that is conducive to economic activity and will
support Ukraine in its economic and social reforms.

14. The EU encourages Ukraine to establish macro-economic policies aiming at price stability, sound public finances and a sustainable
current account position. In order to proceed further to price stability
it is important that the central bank is allowed to operate independently
of political interference. Existing prudential regulations for financial
sector supervision need to be strengthened. Tax collection must be
improved, and _ad hoc_ tax amnesties and tax exemptions for specific
sectors of the economy should be avoided.

15. The EU strongly encourages Ukraine to intensify its efforts to
build a functioning market economy through greater structural,
economic and administrative reforms in the context of a comprehensive
reform programme agreed with the International Monetary Fund. This
should include establishing and enforcing clear property rights, further
privatisation, further liberalisation of prices, the raising of communal
tariffs for energy, water and rents to full cost recovery levels, restructuring of business, and encouraging the growth of small and medium
size enterprises. The overall pace of these reforms needs to be accelerated. As far as sectoral reform is concerned, the agriculture, energy and
transport sectors deserve particular attention.

16. The introduction of a land reform process is required to facilitate, _inter alia_ the long term lease of land as collateral for loans,
paving the way for more investment in the agriculture sector.

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17. Attracting and protecting domestic and foreign investment also
plays a key role in Ukraine's development. In this context, the EU
notes that allegations of corruption and poor governance are damaging
to Ukraine's economic reputation. The Union will support Ukraine in
developing and adopting the economic policies needed to increase
domestic and foreign investment and to meet the requirements of international lenders.

18. In view of Ukraine's heavy debt service obligations, Ukraine's
economic recovery will require the continued involvement of private
creditors. Collaborative solutions to Ukraine's debt service problems
must be found.

19. The EU is fully aware of the fact that Ukraine's economic
reforms sometimes have to be pursued in a difficult external environment. EU macro-financial assistance would be pursued as appropriate,
in accordance with established criteria and procedures, aiming at
supporting macro-economic stabilisation and comprehensive structural
reform, consistent with programmes of the International Monetary
Fund and the World Bank. The EU will continue to stand ready to
support economic reforms in Ukraine in those circumstances. EU
macro-financial assistance helps Ukraine to open up its economy,
improve economic adjustment, enhance competition, and further integrate the Ukrainian economy into the European and global economy.

20. The EU will support Ukraine through the promotion of progressive approximation of legislation towards that of the EU, especially in
such areas as competition policy, standards and certification, intellectual property rights, data protection, customs procedures and
environment.

21. In implementing a programme that establishes a functioning
market economy, a well targeted social security system must be put in
place, so that the social aspects of the transition to a market economy
are taken into account.

II. **Ensuring stability and secutiry and meeting common challenges**
**on the European continent**

The EU and Ukraine have a common interest in the maintenance of
stability and security in a free and democratic Europe. The geopolitical
situation of Ukraine, situated along the North-South and East-West
axes gives Ukraine a unique position in Europe. The EU recognises
Ukraine's regional importance. In this context, the EU proposes to
strengthen cooperation with Ukraine paying particular attention to
nuclear safety and to the strengthening of political dialogue, as
provided for in the framework of the PCA, with a view of making it
more coherent and operational.

The EU wishes to deepen cooperation with Ukraine in order to find
effective responses to common challenges facing the continent on the
following issues:

II(i) _Cooperation to strengthen stability and security in Europe_

22. The EU supports Ukraine's efforts to promote cooperation and
stability in its region, including in the context of the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation Organisation, the Council of Baltic Sea States
and Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Moldovo. The EU
welcomes the positive development of Ukraine's relationship with all
its neighbours and believes it has an interest in those relationships
remaining strong and stable. The EU also notes Ukraine's contribution
to European stability through its role as an observer to the Stability
Pact for South-East Europe.

23. The EU and Ukraine share a common interest in the maintenance of stability and security in a free and democratic Europe.
Strengthened mechanisms for consultations between the EU and
Ukraine in the framework of the PCA, Council of Europe and United
Nations, and strong cooperation between the OSCE and Ukraine, are
needed to respond jointly and effectively to European and global
security challenges.

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24. The EU congratulates Ukraine on its election to the United
Nations Security Council (2000-2002). This fact reinforces the need
for the EU further to deepen and broaden its political dialogue with
Ukraine at official and ministerial level, bilaterally and through EU
mechanisms. The adoption of the European Security Charter will
enhance the cooperation between the Member States of the OSCE.

25. The EU promotes and supports the dialogue on general and
specific issues relating to crisis management and security building as
developed over the past years between the Western European Union
and Ukraine as well as the intensification of practical cooperation in
this field, in particular through the implementation of the action plan
recently drawn up between the Western European Union and Ukraine.

26. The EU is also interested in strengthening cooperation with
Ukraine in the field of export controls and non-proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction and their delivery vehicles, and
encourages Ukraine to fulfill its obligations under the Chemical
Weapons Convention.

27. Moreover, the EU encourages Ukraine to achieve the goals of
the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production
and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction. The
EU also encourages Ukraine to develop a strategy to combat the destabilising accumulation and the spread of small arms and light weapons.

II(ii) _Cooperation in the field of environment, energy and nuclear_
_safety_

28. The EU will seek to enhance European stability and work with
Ukraine in the fields of energy and nuclear safety, by supporting a
comprehensive energy sector reform, _inter alia_, by continued cooperation with Ukraine on the implementation of the financial Recovery Plan
for the energy sector, including price liberalisation, improved cash
collection and privatisation of distribution companies. In this context,
the EU will promote the efficient and environmentally responsible use
of energy in Ukraine and the strengthening of new energy institutions
and authorities and their policy-making capacity.

29. Nuclear safety and the decommissioning of the Chernobyl
Nuclear Power Plant are a priority in EU-Ukraine relations. The EU
encourages the development of an independent nuclear regulatory
authority in Ukraine and urges Ukraine to stand by its commitment to
implement the G7/Ukraine Memorandum of Understanding of 1995 on
the closure of Chernobyl. In return, the EU will support Ukraine in
financing replacement energy generating capacity in Ukraine.

30. The EU is also interested in enhancing cooperation with Ukraine
on such issues as radiation protection, waste management, decontamination and dismantling of nuclear installations, and studies in the field
of fusion technology. The recently signed cooperation agreements in
the fields of nuclear safety and thermonuclear fusion between Euratom
and Ukraine will facilitate this cooperation.

31. Moreover, the EU encourages Ukraine to take resolute measures
in the field of environmental protection. The protection of public health
against pollution of drinking water, air and soil, and the sustainable and
responsible use of natural resources as well as the limitation of transboundary pollution of air and water are priorities in this area.

III. **Support for strengthened cooperation between the EU and**
**Ukraine within the context of EU enlargement**

Following the current enlargement process, some future EU Member
States will share an external border with Ukraine. The EU wishes to

contribute to the mutual benefit of the Union and Ukraine in this
process. In this context, the EU proposes strengthened cooperation
with Ukraine, paying particular attention to cooperation in the field of
justice and home affairs. The EU also encourages Ukraine's participation in regional, European and world structures.

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The EU could strengthen cooperation with Ukraine in the following
fields:

III(i) _Support for Ukraine's integration into European and world_

_economy_

32. The Union supports Ukraine and urges it to redouble its efforts
to meet the requirements of World Trade Organisation membership.
The Union encourages Ukraine to take full advantage of the possibilities offered by the PCA to facilitate two-way trade and investment. The
Union will also examine the circumstances which might, in addition to
the World Trade Organisation (WTO) accession, allow for the future
establishment of an EU-Ukraine Free Trade Area, as foreseen in the
PCA.

33. In order to facilitate a favourable investment climate in Ukraine,
the EU encourages Ukraine to negotiate and ratify further bilateral
investment protection agreements with EU Member States so as to
stimulate foreign direct investment. The EU also encourages local,
regional and national Ukrainian authorities to avail themselves of the
opportunities of the new law on public concession to attract investment
in public infrastructure and services.

III(ii) _Cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs_

34. The EU and Ukraine have a common interest in developing
cooperation to combat illegal immigration and trafficking in human
beings. The EU and Ukraine also have a common interest in developing their cooperation in the area of border security and the fight
against the common scourges of organised crime, including money
laundering and illegal trafficking in weapons and drugs.

35. In view of the current EU enlargement process, the EU will seek
to intensify dialogue with Ukraine on the adjustment of Ukraine's visa
policy with the EU through the introduction of visa requirements in
accordance with EC provisions and introduction of travel documents
which are sufficiently non-forgeable.

III(iii) _Regional_ _and_ _cross-border_ _cooperation_ _with_ _neighbouring_
_countries_

36. The EU encourages the development and strengthening of
regional and cross-border cooperation initiatives involving Ukraine
and its neighbouring countries. In this context, the EU will put
increased emphasis on border management issues.

37. As to the development of infrastructure networks, especially in
the fields of transport, telecommunications, electricity and energy-pipelines, the EU, through Tacis, pays particular attention to regional
initiatives, such as Inogate (Interstate Oil and Gas Transport to Europe)
and Traceca (Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Central Asia), with
the aim of improving economic cooperation in the region. The EU will
explore the scope for working towards linking the Ukrainian transportation systems (road and rail) with the Trans-European networks. and
will seek mutually satisfactory ways to address transport issues. In so
doing so, special care will be taken to reinforce coordination with other
donors and with international financial institutions, as well as to stimulate the involvement of the private sector, which will be crucial to the
success of this endeavour.

**INSTRUMENTS AND MEANS**

**General provisions**

38. This Common Strategy shall be implemented in accordance with
the applicable procedures of the Treaties. The Council and the
Commission shall in accordance with Articles 3 and 13 of the Treaty
on European Union ensure the unity, consistency and effectiveness of
the Union's actions in implementing this Common Strategy.

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39. The EU will contribute to the cited objectives of this Common
Strategy by making appropriate use of all relevant instruments and
means available to the Union, the Community and to the Member
States.

40. In accordance with Articles 18 and 26 of the Treaty on
European Union, the Secretary-General of the Council, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), in the
framework of his obligations under the Treaties, shall assist the Council
and the Presidency in implementing this Common Strategy with regard
to those objectives and initiatives falling under the CFSP. The
Commission shall be fully associated in accordance with Articles 18
and 27 of the Treaty on European Union.

**The Council, the Commission and Member States**

41. The Council, the Commission and Member States shall:

— review, according to their powers and capacities, existing actions,
programmes, instruments, and policies to ensure their consistency
with this Common Strategy, based on the principle objectives in
Part II and taking due account of the specific initiatives in Part III;

— make full and appropriate use of existing instruments and means, in
particular the PCA, as well as all relevant EU and Member States
programmes, and to develop and maintain to this end an indicative
inventory of the resources of the Union, the Community and
Member States through which the Common Strategy will be implemented.

**Coordination**

42. Member States shall make additional efforts to coordinate their
actions _vis-à-vis_ Ukraine, including in regional and international organisations such as the Council of Europe, the UN, the OSCE, the DECD
and the International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and including coordination with the Community where it has competencies.

43. Coordination between the Member States and the Commission
shall also be consolidated, including through regular consultations
between their respective representatives in Ukraine.

44. The Council, the Commission and Member States shall work
towards more effective cooperation with regional and international
organisations, and will seek with other like-minded countries to achieve
the objectives of the Strategy.

45. The European Union will invite the candidate countries in the
accession process launched in the Luxembourg European Council in
December 1997 to associate themselves within the framework of this
Common Strategy.

**Implementation and review**

46. The Council shall:

— ensure that each incoming Presidency presents to the Council, in
the framework of its general programme, a work plan for the implementation of this Common Strategy, based on the principle
objectives in Part II and taking due account of the specific initiatives in Part III,

— review and evaluate the EU's action under this Strategy and report
to the European Council on progress towards its objectives not less
than annually,

— review the situation in Ukraine and the state of Ukraine's cooperation in the implementation of this Strategy, including through
periodic reports by the Heads of Mission, and make an assessment
in its report to the European Council,

— where necessary, submit recommendations for amendments to Part
II and III of this Strategy to the European Council.

47. The Commission will contribute to the above within its powers.

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**Cooperation with Ukraine**

48. 48. The EU and its Member States will work closely together
with Ukraine to implement this Common Strategy, in particular through
the PCA and its institutions.

**Specific initiatives**

49. The EU shall pursue the specific initiatives set out in Part III of
this Common Strategy which are based on the principal objectives
identified in Part II. These initiatives shall be adapted when necessary
and do not preclude possible new initiatives during the duration of this
Common Strategy. The Council, the Commission and the Member
States shall, in accordance with their respective powers and capacities,
support and work towards the achievement of these specific initiatives.

PART III

**SPECIFIC INITIATIVES**

The following specific initiatives shall be pursued not precluding
possible new initiatives:

**The consolidation of democracy, the rule of law and public institu-**
**tions in Ukraine**

50. The EU will undertake efforts to foster democracy, good governance, human rights and the rule of law in Ukraine, by:

— supporting Ukraine's efforts to observe its international democratic
and human rights obligations in accordance with the Dublin conclusions, in particular with regard to the abolition of death penalty, the
promotion of good governance, and an effective and transparent
legal system as well as democratic local self government, inter
alia, in cooperation with the Council of Europe and the OSCE,

— establishing a regular dialogue between the ombudsman-institutions
of the EU Member States and Ukraine in order to strengthen the
role of this institution in Ukraine,

— encouraging Ukraine to sign, ratify and implement the relevant
international instruments in the field of Human Rights, especially
the second Optional Protocol of the United Nations Convention on
Civil and Political Rights and the sixth Additional Protocol of the
European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
as well as the United Nations Convention on the Status of Refu
gees,

— increasing cooperation among journalists and relevant authorities in
order to contribute to the development of free media. The Commission in cooperation with the Member States will investigate the
possibility of assisting in the transmission of a programme, such as
Euronews, on Ukrainian television. Work will begin by June 2000.

**Support of the economic transition process in Ukraine**

51. The EU will help Ukraine advance the process of economic
reform by enhancing the impact of economic policy advice, including
through appropriate high-level dialogue, in the framework of the PCA,
so as to promote the development of a modern, liberal market

economy.

52. The EU stands ready to provide technical assistance in support
of Ukraine's economic and social reform process provided that Ukraine
takes steps designed to establish the necessary, conditions to make
reform possible. The EU will examine the possibility of providing technical assistance to Ukraine with a view of:

— supporting the development of a transparent and stable legal, regulator and institutional framework in Ukraine designed to promote
increased economic activity and domestic and foreign investment.
The Commission in cooperation with ember States and other
competent bodies will prepare a report with regard to this initiative
by December 2000,

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— promoting the progressive approximation of Ukrainian legislation to
that of the EU and its implementation, in particular in the areas of
competition policy, financial services, standards and certification,
fiscal policy as well as employment and intellectual property rights.
The Commission is invited to make adequate proposals to this end
by June 2000,

— supporting the development of the health system, in particular
public health awareness and education with a view to restricting
the spread of communicable diseases. The Commission in cooperation with the Membe States and other competent bodies will
prepare a report with regard to this initiative by June 2001.

53. The Member States will consider means to assist Ukraine in:

— supporting the development of a well-targeted social security
system, in particular addressing the social assistance and pension
systems,

— supporting social dialogue and the adherence to and implementation
of the International Labour Organisation Labour Standards, in particular the seven core Labour Standards. As far as ratification and
implementation of legislation in the employment field is concerned,
particular attention will be paid to gender equality.

**Cooperation to strengthen stability and security in Europe**

54. The EU will consider ways to give more continuity, flexibility
and substance to the cooperation with Ukraine on stability and security
in Europe and to render it more operational and effective, within the
framework of the existing political dialogue, as instituted under the
PCA, by:

— exploring the possibilities of establishing regular expert level Troika
dialogue meetings with Ukraine in the margins of CFSP working
groups on disarmament, non-proliferation, export of conventional
arms with a view to organising the first meetings during the year
2000/first semester 2000. The dialogue within these groups will
aim to set up cooperation between the EU and Ukraine in the
following fields: non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
including chemical weapons and small arms and light weapons on
the basis of the joint action on small arms (1999/34/CFSP),

— considering the possibility of intensifying the dialogue between the
EU and Ukraine to promote responsibility and transparency in
transfers of conventional arms, making full use of the EU Code of
Conduct where appropriate,

— exploring the possibilities for closer cooperation in conflict prevention and crisis management, _inter alia_, in the framework of relevant
international organisations, such as the United Nations and the
OSCE, and in seeking a political settlement to conflicts in the
region. Periodic meetings between Ukraine and the Troika of the
OSCE Working Group would help achieve this. One of the aims
would be to work with Ukraine to develop joint foreign policy
initiatives in the area of conflict prevention and crisis management
with regard to specific third countries and regions, especially in
areas adjacent to Ukraine.

55. The EU will, as soon as the year 2000, take up the following
specific initiatives concerning the strengthening of security and stability in Europe:

— consider facilitating the participation of Ukraine when the EU
avails itself of the Western European Union for missions within
the range of the Petersberg tasks,

— consider means to assist Ukraine in fulfilling the obligations of the
Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production
and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction,

— consider means to initiate cooperation between the EU and Ukraine
on prevention of trafficking of small arms, which is a source of
instability for Ukraine and other States of the region. The EU could

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after identification and analysis of the situation and needs in the
region, draw up a Joint Action on this subject with a view to:

1. reinforce control capacities of police and/or local custom
services;

2. tackle this specific type of criminality in training courses;

3. develop exchange of information between the EU and Europol
Member States in order to improve the analysis on criminal
activity concerning small arms.

**Cooperation in the field of environment, energy and nuclear safety**

56. The Community stands ready to support the efforts of the special
Task Force established to support the Ukrainian authorities in their
effort to reform the energy sector.

57. The Community support to the G7 Action Plan includes a contribution to financing the short term safety improvements of Chernobyl
via the Nuclear Safety Account managed by the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development before closure, decommissioning,
addressing the social consequences of closure, contributing to the
Shelter Implementation Plan and participating in the financing of
substitution facilities in line with previous commitments compensating
for Ukraine's energy losses, provided that all necessary due diligence
procedures can be concluded satisfactorily, including the establishment
of an agreed position regarding the loan conditionality and the wording
of the loan and guarantee agreement and provided that Ukraine stands
by its commitment to implement the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding.

58. The EU will seek to support Ukraine in its effort to reduce the
negative impact on public health of the environmental situation in
Ukraine — notably as regards the quality of drinking water, waste
water treatment, waste collection and disposal as well as air pollution.
The EU will support institutional reform in the public utilities responsible for environmental services, other technical assistance projects and
environmental investments.

59. The next ‘Environment for Europe’ conference will be held in
September 2002 in Kyiv and will provide the opportunity to increase
awareness in Ukraine of environmental issues. Member States and the
Commission will consider the possibility of offering technical assistance/support to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Nuclear
Safety with the preparation and planning of the conference.

**Support** **for** **Ukraine's** **integration** **into** **European** **and** **world**

**economy**

60. The EU remains ready to maintain and, if appropriate, to
enhance its support for Ukraine's efforts to meet the requirements of
WTO accession. Special attention will be given to removing obstacles
to trade and investment in Ukraine, starting with the elimination of
trade measures incompatible with PCA and WTO.

61. The EU will examine the circumstances which might, in addition to WTO accession, allow for the future establishment of an EUUkraine Free Trade Area as provided for in Article 4 of the PCA. The
on-going joint economic feasibility study of the Free Trade Area will
provide important input to evaluate the situation.

62. The Commission will examine ways to deepen the investment
dialogue with Ukraine in the framework of the PCA Sub-Committee
on trade and investment and will report to the Council by June 2000.

**Cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs**

63. In view of the EU's current enlargement process, also taking into
account Ukraine's position as an important transit country providing a
conduit for the cross-border flow of a wide range of non-legal activities, the EU and Ukraine have a particular interest in stepping up

1999E0877 — EN — 20.12.2003 — 001.001 — 12

- **B**

cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs. The EU proposes
to concentrate its efforts with a view to:

— assessing the scale of illegal immigration via Ukraine. The Member
States in association with the Commission will produce a strengths/
weaknesses/opportunities/threats (‘SWOT’) analysis of the existing
mechanisms to combat these problems by the end of 2000; where
weaknesses are identified, the EU will consider remedial action,

— improving cooperation regarding the readmission of own nationals,
persons without nationality and third country nationals, including
the conclusion of a readmission agreement,
— supporting a full application of the Geneva Convention, including
the right to seek asylum and respect for the principles of non-refoulement,

— establishing a regular dialogue between the judicial authorities of
the Member States and Ukraine in civil and criminal matters,
including by encouraging Ukraine to sign, ratify and implement
key conventions, such as the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime,
— offering to provide practical help to Ukraine in implementing its
legislation on money laundering as soon as it is enacted,
— establishing cooperation between EU Member States' law enforcement agencies, Europol and Ukrainian law enforcement authorities.

64. An informal network will be established in Kyiv consisting of
EU Member States Embassies, Commission and relevant international
organisation representatives in order to improve the exchange and
analysis of information in justice and home affairs. A dialogue, within
the framework of the PCA, between the Member States, the Commission, including the liaison officers in Kyiv and competent Ukrainian
bodies will make it possible to analyse Ukraine's requirements in this
area more precisely. A report will be submitted to the Council by the
end of 2000.

**Regional and cross-border cooperation with neighbouring countries**

65. The EU will seek to encourage the development and strengthening of regional and cross-border cooperation initiatives involving
Ukraine and its neighbouring countries, by:

— making targeted use of existing cross-border cooperation, regional
and inter-State programmes. In this context, special attention will
be devoted to border management issues, including the technical
modernisation of border crossing points on Ukraine's borders with
Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia,
— further developing Tacis programmes aimed at improving the development of infrastructure networks, such as Inogate and Traceca in
order to improve economic cooperation in the region.

**Cooperation in the fields of culture, twinning and exchange**

**programmes**

66. The EU will support the fostering of closer links between public
institutions, civil society and non governmental organisations of the
Union and Ukraine, by:

— promoting educational and scientific exchange programmes
between schools, universities and research institutes, also paying
due attention to the Science and Technology Centre in Ukraine,
— promoting twinning programmes between national, regional and
local administrations as well as professional associations, trade
unions, non-governmental organisations and the media.

The Commission and the Member States will coordinate their
programmes. The Commission will study the possibility of bringing
Community programmes into play for this purpose (Tacis, Tempus
and Democracy). The Member States' bilateral instruments will also
be used.

On the basis of an inventory of existing instruments (to be drawn up by
the Commission in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the

1999E0877 — EN — 20.12.2003 — 001.001 — 13

- **B**

Council) and an identification mission to Ukraine, the Commission will
report to the Council by June 2000 and will thereafter submit proposals
for action as appropriate.

PART IV

**Duration**

- **M1**

67. This Common Strategy shall apply until 23 December 2004. It
may be prolonged, reviewed and, if necessary, adapted by the European
Council on the recommendation of the Council.

- **B**

**Publication**

68. This Common Strategy shall be published in the Official
Journal.

- **B**

1999E0877 — EN — 20.12.2003 — 001.001 — 14

**European Council Declaration on the Common Strategy on Ukraine**

The Council acts by qualified majority when adopting joint actions, common
positions or any other decisions within the scope of Title V of the Treaty on
European Union (Common Foreign and Security Policy), on the basis of the
Common Strategy.

Acts adopted outside the scope of Title V of the Treaty on European Union shall
continue to be adopted according to the appropriate decision-making procedures
provided by the relevant provisions of the Treaties, including the Treaty establishing the European Community and Title VI of the Treaty on European Union.