Ukraine and Norway officially launch a dialogue on European integration
During a visit to the
Kingdom of Norway on April 28, Vice Prime Minister for European and
Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze met with Minister of EEA and EU Affairs
of Norway Frank Bakke-Jensen.
During the meeting
the parties discussed the significant potential for the exchange of experience
and deepening of a bilateral dialogue. For this purpose, they have determined
the priority sectors of the cooperation as well as support for Ukraine by
Norway.
The parties issued a Joint Statement on the occasion of the launch of a bilateral dialogue on European
integration. "The aim of this
dialogue is to share and develop knowledge on how non-EU member states can
participate in, and contribute to, European integration”, the
document reads. Norway will share
relevant experience and knowledge from its participation in the EEA, EFTA, Schengen and other relevant European bodies.
Also, this dialogue will
promote bilateral trade and business opportunities.
Joint Statement on the occasion of the launch of a bilateral
dialogue on European integration
Vice Prime Minister of
Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Ms Ivanna
Klympush-Tsintsadze and Minister of EEA and EU
Affairs of Norway Mr Frank Bakke-Jensen met today in
Oslo and issued the following joint statement:
I. Building
on the Joint declaration on the partnership between Ukraine and the Kingdom of
Norway signed by President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Erna Solberg on
18 October 2016 and the ever-closer bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and
Norway, we have agreed to launch a bilateral dialogue on European integration.
II. The
aim of this dialogue is to share and develop knowledge on how non-EU member
states can participate in, and contribute to, European integration.
III. Norway
will share relevant experience and knowledge from its participation in the EEA,
EFTA, Schengen and other relevant European bodies.
For Ukraine, this dialogue will be an integral element in its efforts to move
closer to EU accession and its process of political and economic integration
with the EU.
IV. The
dialogue will also support our mutual efforts to increase bilateral trade and
business opportunities. To this end, Ukraine has committed itself to
far-reaching political, sectoral and legal reforms
that will ensure a more predictable and stable framework for trade and
business. Fighting corruption effectively in Ukraine is crucial for developing
business opportunities. Both countries will continue to encourage their
business communities to engage actively, for instance through the work of the
Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and the Bilateral Economic Commission.
V. The bilateral dialogue will focus on both
overarching policy issues and more specific issues in relevant sectors that are
working to adapt to the rules and regulations of the EU. The dialogue will
bring together experts representing relevant ministries and agencies, with the
aim of identifying specific areas that should be subject to further discussion.
The dialogue will take into account the current support that Norway is
providing to Ukraine and may also be further supported through Nordic
cooperation as well as with other European partners.
VI. The
dialogue should include areas such as:
-
The implementation of the EEA Agreement;
-
Capacity-building;
-
Justice and Schengen-related
matters;
-
Continued bilateral cooperation within the
framework of the EEA and Norway Grants;
-
Reform of the energy sector and energy
efficiency;
-
The environment;
-
Marine and maritime issues;
-
Trade and business-related issues;
-
Sharing experience relating to the
Trans-European Transport Network, including planning and development of
transport infrastructure;
-
The implementation of projects under
Horizon 2020;
VII.
The dialogue will be subject to regular evaluation
and review. It will also be on the agenda of relevant meetings at political
level.