§ Tom CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to develop closer(a)economic and (b)trading ties with the Ukraine; and if he will make a statement. [159544]
§ Mr. MacShaneEconomic and trade ties between the UK and Ukraine are developing. For example, a Birmingham Chamber of Commerce trade mission visited Ukraine in February. Also the UK is a major investor in Ukraine, notably through BP's partnership with the Russian company TNK and through direct investments in Ukraine by the UK oil and gas company JKX. Trade will develop once Ukraine accedes to the WTO. The EU signed a bilateral WTO protocol with Ukraine last year; Ukraine is negotiating with other WTO members. The EU-Ukraine Partnership and Cooperation Agreement provides for an eventual Free Trade Agreement.
§ Tom CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of the Ukraine concerning its future membership of the European Union; and what(a)advice he plans to give and (b)co-operation he plans to undertake with the Ukraine in this matter. [159545]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe UK has regular contacts with Ukraine at official and ministerial level, at which Ukraine's relationship with the EU is often discussed. I visited Ukraine on 14 and 15 September 2003. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Kostyantyn Gryshchenko on 12 January 2004.
Ukraine has a long way to go before the question of EU membership can be addressed. For now, Ukraine should focus on domestic reform and developing closer relations with the EU both through implementation of its Partnership and Co-operation Agreement and through full participation in the new European Neighbourhood Policy, which is aimed at strengthening the EU's relations with its neighbours.
The Foreign Secretary made clear to Foreign Minister Gryshchenko in January that closer relations between Ukraine and the EU will depend on Ukraine's democratic process and its progress with democratic and other reforms. The extent to which the 2004 presidential elections are free and fair will be a crucial test.
1533WThe UK has committed almost £3 million to help create an environment in which elections can be more democratic, including by enabling the independent Ukrainian media to expose electoral malpractice. Of this amount, some £600,000 directly targets the 2004 presidential election. The UK will also provide support to international election monitoring.
§ Tom CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of the Ukraine concerning its future membership of NATO; and what his policy is on such membership. [159546]
§ Mr. MacShaneMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed NATO issues with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko in January.
We welcome Ukraine's determination to pursue full Euro-Atlantic integration. The UK continues to work closely with Ukraine and NATO Allies to promote full implementation of the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan launched at the Prague Summit in November 2002.
Any enhancement of NATO-Ukraine relations needs to be based on a shared commitment to Euro-Atlantic values and standards. The extent to which the 2004 presidential elections are free and fair will be a crucial test of Ukraine's readiness for a closer relationship with NATO.
§ Tom CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit the Ukraine; and if he will make a statement. [159547]
§ Mr. MacShaneI refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. Brazier) on 10 February 2004,Official Report,column 1308W.