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10/03/2002
U.S. Commends Ukraine's "Constructive Engagement" with OSCE
Oct. 3, Vienna: Amb. Minikes statement to OSCE Permanent Council
The United States remains convinced that an OSCE presence in Ukraine "can and should play an important role in advancing political and economic reform" in that country, supporting "Ukraine's own ambition to deepen its ties with European and Euro-Atlantic structures."
In remarks during the October 3 session of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, U.S. Ambassador Stephan M. Minikes commended Ukraine's "constructive engagement" with the organization, saying it serves "as a good example for addressing host country views through a consultative process."
Following is a transcript of his remarks:
(begin transcript)
United States Mission to the OSCE
Vienna
October 3, 2002
STATEMENT ON UKRAINE
Delivered by Ambassador Stephan M. Minikes to the Permanent Council
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My delegation would like to express its appreciation to you for your report on the consultations with Ukraine regarding future activities of the OSCE Project Office in Ukraine.
We would also like to express our appreciation to Ukraine for submitting a comprehensive array of projects. It is apparent these projects can serve as the basis for future consideration of activities that the Project Office can develop.
We believe the Chair has met its responsibilities as set out in the decision we adopted in June through its conduct of the consultations to date and the presentation of this report.
Ultimately, the success of the Project Office will rest largely on the identification of a strong Co-Ordinator for the office. As such, the OSCE Co-Ordinator should assume a central role in further discussions and work in elaborating projects for the Office in Ukraine. We would like to stress the importance we attach to the immediate appointment and deployment of a Project Co-Ordinator.
We remain convinced the OSCE Project Office can and should play an important role in advancing political and economic reform in Ukraine and supporting Ukraine's own ambition to deepen its ties with European and Euro-Atlantic structures.
To date, Ukraine's constructive engagement with the Chair in a discussion of future activities for the Office has served as a good example for addressing host country views through a consultative process.
We trust that constructive approach will continue. We look forward to the appointment of a new Project Co-Ordinator who can help ensure the future success of this Office.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
