The official visit to the Ukraine by President Eddie Fenech Adami, on invitation by his counterpart Viktor Yushchenko has highlighted the further development of relations between the two countries, said the two Presidents in a joint statement, according to Malta Independent Online.
The visit, said the two Presidents, outlined common values and interests, including the further liberalisation of the economy; safeguarding democracy; the respect for human rights and rule of law; the support for innovation and technological progress, in particular, with the aim to ensure sustainable development.
Ukraine and Malta agreed to increase their political dialogue through high level visits between the two countries. These visits will initiate regular political contacts between the leaders, high officials and representatives of legislative bodies of Ukraine and Malta.
Both the Ukrainian and the Maltese sides are convinced that this visit will give an additional impetus to the deepening of cooperation in trade, economic and investment spheres.
In the spirit of enhancing bilateral relations, Ukraine and Malta will, in the nearest future, take steps to conclude and sign a number of bilateral agreements which will reap mutual benefits to both sides.
The Ukrainian and Maltese sides express their hope that the First Ukrainian-Maltese Business Forum held at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry during this visit, will be an important step towards improving bilateral economic and investment cooperation between Malta and Ukraine.
Both states confirmed that cultural and humanitarian cooperation, youth and professional exchanges, and an increased cultural cooperation between the two countries should be an important aspect of bilateral cooperation.
Ukraine and Malta are also committed to cooperate actively on a multilateral level, in the framework of international organisations and fora.
Ukraine and Malta are ready to join efforts in combating the challenges which today’s world is facing and work together to possibly find a solution to important issues such as energy security, the fight against international terrorism, the fight against organised crime and illegal immigration, climate change and the environment amongst others.
The Presidents of Ukraine and Malta said they were convinced that it is in the interests of both States that the process of enhancing of relations between Ukraine and the European Union continues.
In this respect, Malta is ready to support Ukraine in its efforts for political and economic reform in conformity with EU agreed standards.
Acknowledging Ukraine’s substantial progress in the key political and economic reforms, aimed at strengthening of democracy, stability and well-being of the Ukrainian society, both sides expressed the need to develop Ukraine-EU relations in the direction of more enhanced political association and economic integration.
Ukraine’s recent accession to the World Trade Organisation has opened the way for negotiations on a Free Trade Area with the EU as an integral part of the new EU-Ukraine agreement which is currently being negotiated. This will further integrate Ukraine’s economy within the European economy to the mutual benefit of both sides.
President Eddie Fenech Adami and Foreign Minister Tonio Borg yesterday met Arseniy Yatseniuk, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukranian Parliament).
The Speaker spoke of Ukraine’s place in Europe and its joining EU. He agreed to the proposal by Minister Borg to have close collaboration between Parliamentarians from both sides through meetings.
Following the meeting, in drizzling rain, the President and Mrs Fenech Adami laid a wreath and flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Square of Glory.
The President and Mrs Fenech Adami later visited the Kiev Pecherska Lavra Monastery, an Orthodox Christian monastery, which was founded in 1015 and mostly reconstructed again recently.
The Lavra has been a pre-eminent centre of the Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Eastern Europe and is one of the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites within Ukraine.
In the afternoon, the President visited the St Sofia Cathedral, which is one of around 50 architectural monuments at Kiev National Reserve ‘Sofia Kyivska, prior to their return to Malta in late evening.
