24.06.2003 # 31

At the invitation of the President of Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Leonid Kuchma, the President of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Mr. Ahmet Necdet Sezer has paid a state visit to Ukraine between June 18-20, 2003.

The two Presidents exchanged views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues in a warm and cordial atmosphere, and reviewed the substantial changes taking place in the international arena.

The two Presidents confirmed their adherence to the provisions and principles embodied in the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey dated May 4, 1992.

The two Presidents welcomed the progress achieved in bilateral relations of constructive partnership as set forth in the Joint Communique of the Presidents of Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey dated May 22, 1998, and expressed their determination to give a new momentum to the further development of bilateral cooperation in all fields of mutual interest.

The two Presidents agreed to continue to exchange high level visits, hold intensive political dialogue on wide scope of issues, and intensify their cooperation within the Black Sea region, particularly in the framework of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization.

The two Presidents;

Taking into account the need to intensify the combat against terrorism and other challenges and threats to international stability;

Cognizant of their common responsibility for peace, security and stability in the European continent and in the Black Sea region, which is an integral part of the European security architecture;

Reaffirming that further development of existing friendly relations between the two countries will substantially contribute to maintenance of peace and security;

Being aware that the cooperation within the framework of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization is yet another way of further developing the bilateral relations between the two countries;

Have agreed upon the following:

1. Strengthening peace, security and stability in the Black Sea region

Both Parties are determined to exert joint efforts towards further strengthening the regional security in accordance with principles and provisions of the Charter of the United Nations Organization and Helsinki Final Act.

With this purpose both Parties agree to actively cooperate for the implementation of the Document on Confidence and Security Building Measures in the Naval Field in the Black Sea, encourage the use of existing potential of Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group “BLACKSEAFOR”.

Both Parties, considering Ukrainian-Turkish cooperation as an important element of stability in the Black Sea Region, reiterate their willingness to continue political dialogue to this end.

2. Joint combat against terrorism, new challenges and threats

The Parties agree to cooperate fully in the combat against terrorism, organised crime, illicit drug trafficking, illegal migration, illicit trafficking in human beings, money laundering, crimes using modern technologies, encroachment on intellectual property, and other modern and progressive challenges and threats.

To this end, the Parties underline the importance of developing close cooperation between competent state institutions, using and improving existing forms and mechanisms of exchange of information and mutual assistance. Particular attention shall be paid to exchange of information and experience.

3. Enhancement of economic cooperation and fullest utilization of transit potential of Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey

The Parties are determined to avail their existing friendly relations in the political field to yield new dimensions in their economic relations.

Both Parties underline the need to diversify bilateral economic cooperation, by encouraging, in particular, the realization of mutually beneficial projects in all areas.

The two Parties confirm that the Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, Business Council, Joint Commission on Military and Technical Cooperation, as well as Commission on Science and Education constitute the main driving mechanisms to this end.

Both Parties agree to exert every effort to expand their bilateral trade volume as well as to increase mutual investments, to establish new joint enterprises and encourage the development of close relations between their respective countries.

In pursuance of these objectives, the two Parties will take all necessary measures to create a more liberal environment for the circulation of their goods, services and capital between their respective countries. In this respect, the Parties agree with the need to promote and facilitate bilateral trade to the extent possible. Harmonization of formalities to facilitate the entry of citizens of each party into the territory of the other is also deemed important in this connection.

The Turkish side reiterates its support for determined efforts of Ukraine aimed at obtaining the membership in the World Trade Organization. To this end, the Turkish side wishes a satisfactory conclusion of the Turkish-Ukrainian bilateral negotiations regarding Ukraine’s accession to the WTO.

Both Parties pay particular attention to the transit transport potential of the Black Sea region and to its use as the major transport linkage between East and West. In this regard, they agree to deploy every effort to develop the transport structure within the framework of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, with a view to gradual integration of the Black Sea regional transport infrastructure with the Trans-European transport.

4. Cooperation in the field of European and Euro-Atlantic integration

Further assistance and support of the Republic of Turkey for the realization of Ukraine’s course towards membership in NATO as well as exchange of experience regarding European integration issues shall be considered by Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey as an integral part of bilateral dialogue, and an important element of cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey in the Black Sea region.

The Parties acknowledge the importance of exploring the ways of joint participation in various EU projects.

5. Cooperation in the humanitarian sphere

Both Parties agree to support the expansion of contacts, exchange and cooperation between institutions of culture and education, development of partnership programs between their respective countries. Implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on Cultural Cooperation (27 November 1996), and the Technical and Financial Cooperation Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Turkey (14 November 2002) will be paid particular attention.

The Parties also agree that promoting and implementing the cultural exchanges will further facilitate the pursuance of above-mentioned objectives, on the basis of relevant protocols.

Both Parties agree to utilize their existing potential for the development of their tourism sectors by promoting people to people contacts, the improvement of tourism infrastructure and by encouraging joint investment projects in this field. The Parties confirm that the Joint Commission on Tourism constitutes the important bilateral mechanism to this end.

6. Cooperation in the field of environment

The Parties reaffirm their willingness to cooperate in protecting the Black Sea environment. In this context, they express their support to the Bucharest Process and the 1992 Bucharest Convention for the Protection of the Black Sea from Pollution as well as the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan.