§ Mr. DavidTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Britain's relationship with Ukraine with reference to the enlargement of the EU. [25376]
§ Peter HainThe Government support a closer relationship between the EU and Ukraine and welcome recent progress including Ukraine's attendance at the enlarged European conference meeting in October and the agreement of an EU-Ukraine Action Plan on Justice and Home Affairs. The Government recognise the potential impact on Ukraine of the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union and support the European Commission's efforts to ensure that this is taken into account, eg by supporting joint programmes with EU candidates aimed at improving border management.
The Government consider that EU enlargement presents opportunities for Ukraine, particularly in the fields of trade and investment. The UK has urged Ukraine to continue with its political and economic reforms, so it is able to exploit these opportunities fully.
Accession to the World Trade Organisation—an area where the UK is giving bilateral technical assistance—will be a vital step in this direction.