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Joint Declaration by the President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves and the President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko

12.12.2006

We, the President of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, and the President of Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko, met in Tallinn, on 12 December 2006, to mark the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Estonia and Ukraine, and to discuss issues of mutual importance.

The Heads of the two States:

Noting with satisfaction that the relations between Estonia and Ukraine, that are based upon shared European values, have evolved into a dynamic and close partnership,

Emphasizing the extensive common traditions and historical-cultural heritage of Estonia and Ukraine, that are part of Europe’s past and present,

Reiterating mutual aspirations for the comprehensive development of cooperation between the two countries at a bilateral, regional and European level,

Declare the following:

1. Partnership and cooperation between Estonia and Ukraine is a significant element of the security and stability of the region;

2. The formats of bilateral cooperation – the meetings of Presidents and Prime-ministers, the Joint Intergovernmental Commission, the Inter-Parliamentary dialogue between the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia an the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, as well as closer people-to-people contacts, are instrumental in strengthening and enriching the relations between the two nations, and, therefore, should be maintained and further developed;

3. Estonia will continue to support Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic choice and direction while noting that the enlargement of the European Union remains an important stabilization factor and a catalyst for reforms on the European continent, as well as a powerful incentive for countries with European aspirations to implement reforms on the basis of European values and democratic standards;

4. Estonia acknowledges the significant progress Ukraine has made in implementing democratic and economic reforms in recent years, which will play an important role in further advancing Ukraine’s European aspirations. In this context Estonia and Ukraine emphasize the importance of the new enhanced agreement between Ukraine and the European Union foreseen to be agreed in 2007, which should deepen and strengthen relationship between Ukraine and the European Union and lead towards gradual economic integration;

5. With the aim of assisting to ensure the full-fledged participation of Ukraine in European and regional systems of collective security, and of assisting to ensure that Ukraine will be invited to join the NATO Membership Action Plan when Ukraine is ready, Estonia and Ukraine agree to increase further cooperation within the framework of the Intensified Dialogue, and in modernizing Ukraine’s defence and security sectors, as well as in keeping the Ukrainian public informed about NATO issues;

6. Ukraine’s accession into the WTO will facilitate Ukraine’s integration into the European and global economy, and will contribute to the development of stronger economic and trade relations with Estonia and the EU, and will make it possible to begin negotiations for the concluding of an extensive and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Ukraine;

7. The concluding of an Agreement on Visa Facilitation and an Agreement on Readmission between Ukraine and the EU will increase people-to-people contacts and enrich cooperation between EU Member States and Ukraine;

8. Presence of national minorities – Estonian national minority in Ukraine and Ukrainian national minority in Estonia, assurance of their rights, satisfaction of language, cultural, educational, informational and other needs have positive impact on bilateral relationship of two countries;

9. Improving conditions for mutual trade and investment is a common goal, especially bearing in mind the growing interest of European investors in Ukraine’s markets;

10. Secure energy supplies and transparency in the energy sector, as well as joint participation in energy projects, are gaining importance in Estonian-Ukrainian cooperation, and need to be expanded further on the basis of the principles of the European Energy Charter;

11. Both countries wish to cooperate in the development of the transport corridor between the regions of the Black and Baltic Seas, and the increasing of the range of container transport in the Caucasian-Caspian and Scandinavian directions;

12. Estonia and Ukraine note the importance of adhering to international law, principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and good neighborly relations in the settlement of so-called “frozen” conflicts in Europe, including Transnistria and conflicts in the Southern Caucasus, as well as disputes between states. Solving these conflicts, as soon as possible, in a peaceful way, and according to the aforementioned principles, is of immense importance to regional security and stability, as well as to the development of the states concerned;

13. The Presidents of the two countries emphasized the importance of cooperation at the regional level, such as in the Community of Democratic Choice, GUAM, etc. in order to consolidate the joint efforts of all the countries in the region to promote democracy and the protection of human rights, as well as to contribute to the prosperous development of societies.

Adopted in Tallinn, on 12 December 2006, in two copies, each in Estonian, Ukrainian and English, all the texts being authentic.

President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves

President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko