Brussels, 29 November 2006

On 27 November 2006 the European Commission launched its new website under the new address http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm. This is yet one more step towards a better and hopefully more successful communication with EU citizens as the new home page is designed especially for them.

The page presents primarily short news about the EU, which are written daily and which are translated into all 20 Community languages. The new page represents a huge improvement, since until now, the European Commission did not provide daily news in all Community languages. Following the "going local" principle, the new home page also introduces a section "Around Europe - News from Member States", where local news are published in cooperation with the Commission Representations in Member States.

Other sections are covering the activities of Commissioners, the agenda of interesting events and, last but not least, an invitation to participate in the Debate on Europe. The interactive part of the home page will continue to develop and will include e-voting and other tools.

The main navigation tool of the home page has been revamped in order to accommodate the general needs and interests of the public. It still covers all activities of the Commission but priority is given to topics visitors are specifically looking for. The monitoring of the website will be continued to adapt the home page according to the ever changing demands of the users.

For additional information please refer to:

http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm

Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine and Belarus is sorry to announce that the press conference scheduled for 14:00 on Wednesday, 29 November 2006, at the premises of the Delegation is cancelled. The new date of the press conference will be announced later. Sorry for any inconvenience!

Kyiv, 28 November 2006

Representatives of Ukrainian media are invited to the press conference on the occasion of adoption by the European Commission of a New Communication on the European Neighbourhood Policy and the report of progress made with Ukraine and other countries of ENP that will take place in Brussels on Wednesday, 29^th of November.

The press conference is going to take place on Wednesday, 29^th of November on the premises of the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine and Belarus (10, Kruhlo-Universitetska st., Kyiv) at 14:00.

The press conference will be hosted by Mr. Ian Boag, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine and Belarus.

For additional information please contact Ms Olha Korniychuk, Press Officer, Delegation of European Commission to Ukraine and Belarus: (044) 390 8010 or (068)354 1752 or e-mail olha.korniychuk@ec.europa.eu

Odesa, 28 November 2006

The website of the European Union Border Assistance Mission (www.eubam.org) now features a range of documents in regional languages - Moldovan, Ukrainian and Russian. The languages were added in order to enhance awareness and understanding of the Mission’s work among the regional population, the Mission’s Moldovan and Ukrainian counterparts, and journalists.

The Mission’s web-site consists from three main parts: background information, operational activities and a media centre.

The background section provides information on Mission history, goals and objectives, mandate, legal basis and structure,

The operational part gives understanding of implementation of the Mission’s operational activity (including the Joint Declaration on the customs regime), training provided by EUBAM and border related legislation in Moldova and Ukraine.

The media centre provides the latest press releases and news, a calendar of events, list of useful links to visit and answers to the most frequently asked questions.

There is also updated information on vacancies and tenders as well as contact points...

The Mission web site also offers a selection of professional photos which illustrate EUBAM operational activity on a ground as well as pictures from official events. There are available for use free of charge.

Kyiv, 27 November 2006

November 10, 2006 round table “Problems of Violence in a Family: Reasons, Consequences, and Solutions” organized by the West Ukrainian Centre “Women’s Perspectives” took place in Lviv.

Kateryna Levchenko - Member of Parliament and President of the La Strada – Ukraine, representatives of the Lviv regional Department of Internal Affairs, Department of Family, Youth and Sport of the Lviv State Administration, educational institutions, NGO and media took part in the round table.

The aim of the round table was to bring community attention to the different aspects of violence in the family, to discuss and to develop Recommendations to the Parliament hearings devoted to gender based violence that will take place November 21, as well as improving cooperation between governmental institutions and NGO in the field of counteracting and prevention violence in a family.

Member of Parliament – Kateryna Levchenko presented Draft of Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Prevention Violence in a Family” and other legislation related to the problem of domestic violence. The main proposed changes are exclusion from laws provisions on provocative behaviour and money penalty sanction for accomplishing violence in a family; and introducing in law provisions on correctional work with perpetrators.

Participants discussed and approved Recommendations to the Parliament hearings developed by the West Ukrainian Center “Women’s Perspectives”.

Round table was organized in the frame of the project “Study and Incorporation of International Human Rights Standards for Solving Domestic Violence Problems in Ukraine”, supported by the Delegation of European Commission to Ukraine.

November 22, 2006 Lutsk

On the 22 of November 2006 in the small hall of the Volyn Regional Council the presentation of the investment site was held. Experts from the Volyn regional public administration and the EU Project “Assistance to Regional Development in Ukraine” elaborated the site together. Vasyl Hrom, deputy head of the Volyn regional public administration, opened the event. He also congratulated Joelle Schroeder, Project senior expert on regional development, on her contribution to the economic development of Volyn.

The Project coordinator Edward Zakharchenko described the site creation idea for big international and domestic investors attraction into the Volyn region economics. For that purpose the best examples of the European regional development agencies, investment agencies web sites, regional sites for French and Belgian agglomerations were used.

After training the Volyn regional public administration civil servants how to maintain the investment site, Dmytro Strekho, Project IT expert, explained technical characteristics of the new information product, namely prospects and possibilities for its update.

A number of stakeholders were invited to discuss the Volyn Investment Site creating and functioning among them representatives of local self-government: regional, district and town councils; the executive: the Volyn regional public administration departments and district public administrations; civil society: business associations, non-governmental organizations; the Volyn Chamber of Commerce and Industry, higher educational authorities of the region.

The organizers believe the Investment site will function effectively for the Volyn region development and its socio-economic potential increase. The web-site is available on the following address: www.ekonomika.voladm.gov.ua.

For more information, please contact the EU project “Assistance to Regional Development in Ukraine”:

Dear journalist,

15th edition of the Lorenzo Natali Prize organised by the European Commission is launched.

The Lorenzo Natali Prize 2006 is open to print and on-line journalists employed by the local media in following five regions:

Europe / Africa / Arab World Iran Israel / Asia and Pacific / Latin America and Caribbean.

Eligible journalists should have written reports which focus on human rights or democracy in the developing world. Each applicant is allowed to submit ONE article published between 1st September 2005 and 31st December 2006.

All prize nominees will be special guests of the European Commission in Brussels.

Each prize winner will receive a Trophy and a financial award. A total of 50.000ˆ prize money is awarded to the best articles.

To enter, you only need to fill in the application form online before 31 January 2007 at www.nataliprize.eu and submit it along with an electronic version of your article. If you require any further information, please contact us:

Tel. +33 1 40 04 99 33
Best of luck!
Zuzanna Podosek-Perrin

You are invited to a press conference on the occasion of the 4^th Advisory Board Meeting of the European Union Border Assistance Mission to the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine which will take place on Thursday, November 30, at 1345 at the EUBAM headquarters (13, Uyutna str., Odesa).

The press conference will be attended by:

- Ambassador Ian Boag, the Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine and Belarus;

- Ambassador Adriaan Jacobovits de Szeged, EU Special Representative for Moldova;

- Ambassador Louis O’Neill, the Head of OSCE Mission to Moldova;

- Brigadier-General Ferenc Banfi, the Head of the EUBAM;

- representatives of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Moldova and Ukraine.

The agenda will be:

- discussion of the EUBAM Annual Report;

- presentation by Border Guard and Customs Services of Moldova and Ukraine on cooperation with EUBAM and achieved progress during the year.

Editor’s Note:

The EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine was launched on 30 November 2005 following the joint request of the Presidents of Moldova and Ukraine for assistance.

Its aims are:

- to work with Moldova and Ukraine to harmonise their border management standards and procedures with those prevalent in EU member states;

- to help enhance the professional capacities of the Moldovan and Ukrainian customs and border guard services at operational level;

- to develop risk analysis capacities;

- to improve co-operation and complementarity between the border guard and customs services and with other law enforcement agencies;

- to promote cross-border co-operation.

The Advisory Board was set up under the Border Assistance Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Governments of Moldova and Ukraine, and the European Commission. It meets every three months to review progress in the achievement of the mission’s objectives.

Places are limited. To apply for accreditation or to bid for an interview with participants of the press conference please call on office tel. +38 0482 36-52-74 or mob. +38 050 386 89 73 or e-mail: press@eubam.org.

Kyiv, 22 November 2006

On 23 November 2006, a Seminar on Packaging Waste Management in the European Union and Ukraine in the field of Environment will be held in Kyiv, within the framework of the Technical Assistance Information Exchange Instrument (TAIEX) of the Institution Building unit of Directorate-General Enlargement of the European Commission.

The aim of TAIEX is to provide New Member States, acceding, candidate countries, and also countries under the EU’s European Neighbourhood Policy, including Ukraine, with short-term technical assistance in line with the overall policy objectives of the European Commission, in the field of approximation, application and enforcement of EU legislation. TAIEX is a demand-driven instrument in that assistance is delivered in response to requests from the beneficiary countries, the Commission Services, or Member States.

The Seminar on Packaging Waste Management in the European Union and Ukraine is the first TAIEX event to be held in Ukraine. It was organised in response to a request of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Ukraine and in co-operation with the EC’s Co-operation Office (EuropeAid), Directorate-General for Enlargement and Directorate-General for External Relations and the Ukrainian Packaging & Ecological Coalition (UkrPEC).

The aim of this meeting is to exchange European experience and best practices in the sphere of packaging waste legislation and packaging waste management systems and to communicate practical examples and best practices to support the development of legislation for this sphere in Ukraine. The issue is becoming to support Ukraine's intention that the draft Ukrainian Packaging Waste Law approximates to EU Legislation. The seminar should also discuss practical aspects of collection, recovery, re-use and final disposal systems for the management of packaging waste.

Seminar participants include regional representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Ukraine, the Ministry of Construction, Architecture and Housing Services Policy, NGOs, scientific organisations, representatives of collection& recycling companies.

Venue – “Leonardo” Business Center, “HalcyonHQ” conference room, 17/ 52-A B.Khmelnitskogo Street, Kyiv, Ukraine.

For more information about seminar, please call UkrPEC, tel.230-8718/ 64.

Brussels, 21 November 2006

Today Ukraine and Moldova will sign in the presence of the European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy agreements which commit the two sides to step up their exchange of information on movement of goods and people across their shared border. This will improve controls on the Transnistrian section of border which cannot be adequately controlled on the Moldovan side at present. The agreements set up an automated system for exchanging pre-arrival information on cargo crossing their shared border, and for the exchange of information among border and customs services of the two countries. The agreements are the result of discussions in trilateral format with the EU, and the countries’ co-operation with the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM).

Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner congratulated the two countries on the new agreements, saying: “This is a remarkable step forward by the two countries to ensure full control and transparent management of their common border, including the Transnistrian section. In a very short time since the launch of EUBAM, co-operation between Ukraine and Moldova has been transformed – bringing greater efficiency in the fight against smuggling, trafficking of human beings and illegal migration”.

She added: “The growing effectiveness of border controls on the Ukrainian-Moldovan frontier is the direct result of the EU’s work with the two countries under the European Neighbourhood Policy. Today’s news shows that the ENP is bearing fruit in ways that make a real difference”.

The agreements will be signed in Brussels by Deputy Foreign Minister Kistruga representing the Republic of Moldova and Deputy Foreign Minister Veselovsky representing Ukraine. Under the agreements

• the Customs Services of Ukraine and Moldova agree to implement an automated system for exchanging pre-arrival information on cargo crossing their shared border.
• the Moldovan and Ukrainian Border Guard Services commit themselves to the regular exchange of information at the national, regional and detachment levels.
• all four services undertake to provide the necessary information to produce a common, monthly Border Security Assessment, which will be presented at the monthly co-ordination meeting chaired by the EUBAM.

For more information:

The EU's relations with Moldova:

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/moldova/intro/index.htm

The EU's relations with Ukraine:

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/ukraine/intro/index.htm

Kyiv, November 21, 2006

The Project Improvement of Logistics and Marketing Channels for SMEs in Agriculture is making arrangements for a study tour of the group of farmers from the village of Banyliv, Chernivtsi oblast to Agrodvir cooperative, village of Zibolky, Lviv oblast. The tour will take place on November 25, 2006.

The business of Agrodvir farming enterprise lies in the processing and canning of vegetables and fruits, growing of cereals and other industrial crops, as well as the management of wholesale marketing of vegetables and fruits, pre-sale preparation (grading, labelling), infrared drying of vegetables and fruits.

During the tour, the participants will be given a chance to learn the function of the drying machines and ventilation appliances for drying of carrots, cabbages, table beet, greens, onions, apples and berries. The finished dried products are sold through supermarket chains, to public catering facilities, educational institutions and other organizations. Owing to the use of up-to-date drying techniques, the finished dried products preserve up to 80-90% of vitamins and bioactive elements, and after a short-term (10-20 min) soaking, vegetables and fruits completely restore their natural properties. Dried horticultural products do not contain preservatives and chemical agents, and are not exposed to the effect of hazardous electromagnetic radiation. At the same time, the dried vegetables and fruits’ weight is 4-8 times less than that of their fresh counterparts, thus substantially reducing the costs on their transportation.

The tour participants will also have a chance to share best practice in these activities, see the benefits, as well as learn the techniques of the business.

Additional information about the activities of the Project Improvement of Logistics and Marketing Channels for SMEs in Agriculture being implemented under the assistance of the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine can be obtained at the Project’s web page at www.agrilogistics.com.ua or by contacting the Project’s experts at tel. +38 044 289 36 30 and 289 36 31.

The Ministry of Agricultural Policy of Ukraine and the Delegation of the European Commission in Ukraine initiated the Project ‘Improvement of Logistics and Marketing Channels for SMEs in Agriculture’. The Project’s implementation scheme was developed by the European Union Technical Assistance Programme. The Project being implemented by a Scanagri-led consortium was initiated in March 2005. The activities will be focused on the establishment of supply and marketing chains for fruits, vegetables, cereals and diary products, creation of wholesale markets and providing recommendations on agricultural policy and legal and regulatory environment.

Kyiv, 21 November 2006

The programme aims at raising awareness of young workers about unionism, collective bargaining and other mechanisms of workers participation in the enterprise development. In particular setting up a team of skilled young unionists on the level of national and local trade union organisations, ability to analyse and address young workers issues and to express their interests in unions and tripartite bodies, mobilization of unionized youth to contribute to development of national approaches towards better youth employment and active participation in existing mechanisms of social dialog and governance.

The trainings are conducted by Social Development Agency (SDA) experts. SDA is an agency founded by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) for trade union development and cooperation, which aims at promoting Europe’s social dimension in a globalised world. The coming seminar shall in particular target EU dimension, introducing European participatory mechanisms – for workers and citizens, role and place of unions in Ukraine – Europe relations and opportunities for them to contribute to European Neighbourhood Policy.

IBPP manager Vladimir Kondrachuk and Dmitry Gorchakov from the EU Delegation political section will represent the Delegation. Slavica Uzelac from the SDA and Sergey Kharitich from the ITUC will co-moderate the activity. The seminar starts at 11-00 22 November in the Academy of Labour and Social Relations.

For more information please contact suzelac@etuc.org, anton.leppik@ituc-csi.org

Social Development Agency
Blvd. du Roi Albert II, 5
B-1210 Bruxelles
Tel.: +32-2-2240-406
Fax: +32-2-2240-464
www.sda-asbl.org

Today, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner is launching a document setting out what the EU could bring to Belarus, were Belarus to engage in democratisation and respect for human rights and rule of law. The document is being transmitted to the Belarus authorities today both in Minsk and Brussels. It contains concrete examples of how the people of Belarus could gain from a rapprochement between the EU and Belarus within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Due to the current political conditions, it has so far not been possible for the EU to offer to Belarus the full advantages of the ENP, which are already enjoyed by other countries in the region including Ukraine and Moldova. The paper makes clear that “the people of Belarus are the first victims of the isolation imposed by the country’s authorities, and willl be the first to reap the benefits on offer to a democratic Belarus”.

Commissioner Ferrero Waldner said: “The people of Belarus have a right to know what they are missing. Our message is that as soon as the country indicates a willingness to move towards true democracy, human rights and rule of law, we will be ready to enter into a full partnership with Belarus within the framework of the ENP. That would mean a significant increase in assistance - to bring a host of improvements to Belarusians’ quality of life.

She added: “ I hope the people of Belarus will see this paper as a chance to look towards a democratic future, and that the government of Belarus will take this opportunity to begin the reforms their people need, and end their isolation.”

The ENP is a special relationship between the EU and its neighbours, which supports political, economic and social reform in partner countries, and seeks to share the prosperity and stability enjoyed by EU member states with those on the EU’s borders. The EU is already working with Belarus’ neighbours and would like to build such a relationship with Belarus.

If Belarus respected human rights, democracy and rule of law, respecting its commitments as a member of the UN and of the OSCE, Belarus could become a full participant in the ENP. The EU and Belarus would work together to achieve improvements in people’s lives including:

*new trade opportunities to boost the Belarusian economy and create more and better job opportunities

*improve provision of healthcare and education and support for the most vulnerable in society

*improved transport and energy networks, and management of environmental issues

*reform of the legal and judicial system to ensure equal rights for all

*greater cross-border co operation,

What can the Belarusian government do to open up these opportunities?

These possibilities open up to the Belarusian people, the Belarusian authorities need to respect the right of the people of Belarus :

*to elect their leaders democratically,

*express themselves freely, and have access to independent information,

*to set-up associations,

*to fair and transparent treatment by the judicial system.

No one should be imprisoned for having expressed their opinion and no one should be denied the right to participate fully in the determination of their countries’ future.

Background

The EC has long demonstrated its willingness to support the people of Belarus by assisting regions and people suffering from the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe and by contributing, for example, to the fight against women trafficking at the borders of Belarus.

The EC has also consistently granted assistance to democratisation and civil society in Belarus. In 2006, key projects were launched to support independent media and broadcasting to Belarus, as well as the European Humanity University in exile in Vilnius and exchanges with Belarusian students.

Details on current EC assistance to Belarus can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/belarus/intro/index.htm

The full text of EU proposal to Belarus can be found here

Kyiv, 20 November 2006

On 23 November 2006 at the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine and Belarus (10, Kruhlo-Universitetska st., Kyiv) at 13:30 a press conference will take place.

The press conference will be hosted by Mr. Ian Boag, Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of European Commission to Ukraine and Belarus, Mrs. Helene Chraye, Head of Operations, EC Delegation, Mr. Paolo Gozzi, Coordinator of TAIEX activities in the ENP countries and Russia, Institution Building Unit, DG Enlargement, Ms. Eleonora Nikolaichuk, Project manager, EC Delegation, Mr. Tymofiy Motrenko, Head of the Main State Civil Service Administration, Mr. Andriy Vyshnevsky, Director of Project Administration Office.

The participants of the press conference will turn the public attention to the following points:

• Evolution of the TAIEX instrument to Neighbourhood Countries
• Features and overview of activities
• Eligible sectors and principles of operation
• Priorities and future prospects
• Synergies with other assistance programmes and activities
  

Background

TAIEX is the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument. It provides short-term technical assistance and advice in the field of approximation and harmonisation of the European legislation (Acquis Communautaire) into the national legislation of beneficiary countries. The assistance is provided to your administration – by means of public sector experts from EU Member States providing information on various legislative topics, delivering expertise on draft legislation or enabling your officials to share best practices with other EU Member States.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, TAIEX has also been given a mandate to extend its geographical scope to the European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries, as well as to Russia.

The ENP's objective is to bring partner countries closer to the European Union, aiming at gradual economic integration and a deepening of political cooperation. It seeks to share the benefits of the European Union’s 2004 enlargement and will use some of the instruments and experience gained during the enlargement process. A key element of the ENP is represented by the bilateral Action Plans, mutually agreed between the EU and each partner country. These set out an agenda of political and economic reforms with short and medium-term priorities.

Application were already received from Ukrainian applicants in the fields of the state aid and justice, and currently are being processed. At the same time, on the proposal of the European Commission, relevant Ukrainian authorities were offered an opportunity to take part in the events organised in the EU Member States in the field of aviation safety, animal welfare, Intellectual Property rights, health, fight against human trafficking etc.

For accreditation please contact:

Olha Korniychuk, Press Officer for the Delegation of European Commission to Ukraine and Belarus, tel. 390 8010

Deadline for submission of your participation is 22 November, 17:30

Erasmus Mundus - External Cooperation Window

Reference: EuropeAid/124352/C/ACT/Multi
Deadline: 31 January 2007

A new call for proposals has been launched by the European Commission to fund higher education student and teaching staff mobility activities between European universities and universities from targeted third-countries (24 countries in total distributed in 9 geographical lots). This new action will provide funds for the organisation and implementation of student - from undergraduate to post-doctorate level - and academic staff mobility flows from and towards the third-countries concerned. The grants awarded to individual projects will fall between EUR 1 and 6 million depending on the geographical lot concerned.

The "Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window" results from a new initiative launched by the EuropAid Cooperation Office which will be implemented complementary to and in synergy with the Erasmus Mundus Programme.

Please find the full text and supporting documents on the following page:
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/europeaid/cgi/frame12.pl

(Select: programme "OTHER", status "Open", type: "Grants", region and country "All", and go to the bottom of the page after having hit the "Submit Query" button)

Additional information under the form of FAQs will also be available very soon on this page or can be requested by email at the following address: eacea-em-extcoop@ec.europa.eu

External cooperation window (145.76 KB)

Kyiv, 15 November 2006

The Tourist and Information Centre in the framework of European Union programme INTERREG III A/TACIS will be officially be opened on 17 November 2006, at 12:00 in Beregove Town of Transcarpathian Region) at 25/2 Zrini Street.

The opening of the Centre was prepared with involvement of the Main Office of European Integration, Foreign Trade Relations, and Tourism of Transcarpathian Region State Administration, the Centre for Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County Regional Development, and All-Hungarian Rural Tourism Union in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County.

In addition to opening the office of the Tourist and Information Centre in Beregove, formation of a database on tourist attractions and services, organisation of trainings and exhibitions, support of contacts with tourist information centres in Hungary, provision of local and foreign tourists, organisations, and investors with information on the available tourist resources and services in Transcarpathian Region and the Region of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg, training and publication of the tourist map and guide are also envisaged. Experts of the project are also working on the development of a web-site.

Background

Implementation of the new project within the framework of Hungary-Slovakia-Ukraine Neighbourhood Programme INTERREG III A/TACIS called Development of Regional Tourist and Information Centre in the Transcarpathian Region started in July 2006.

The project is aiming to solve the problems of lack of universal centres to provide information on tourist services, resources, and possibilities to promote sustainable social and economic development of Transcarpathian Region as one of the most promising recreation areas in Ukraine.

For additional information, please call:

Eva Golovach, Manager of the Centre, tel.: 8 095 345 57 36

e-mail: office@zakarpattyatourism.info

www.zakarpattyatourism.info

Lena Hrymut, Project Expert, tel.: 8 (0312) 61 71 08, e-mail: office@umti.org

Kiev, November 15, 2006

The EU benchmarking expert, Mrs. Susanne Kaldshmidt, will be the main presenter during this event and she will provide an overview of the key Benchmarking principles and methodologies as well as real life examples and case studies of SME benchmarking approaches used in different countries including new EU Member States. Mrs. Tatiana Druzhynina of DFID’s Private Sector Development project will describe the Ukrainian experiences drawn from implementing benchmarking activities within particular Ukrainian business sectors and the work carried out by DFID in establishing Ukrainian-specific business benchmarks.

"Benchmarking is the continuous process of measuring products, services and practices against the toughest competitors or those companies recognised as industry leaders (best in class)".

For more information please contact:

Kyiv, 15 November 2006

The main objective of the workshop was to present the project and implementation team, as well as to address issues related to the project implementation, including specific activities, pilot projects and other planned measures with the representatives of stakeholders.

Objectives of the meeting:

• to present ‘Trans-boundary river basin management. Phase II. Seversky Donets Project’ objectives and tasks;
• to present the detailed planning of the project prepared for the Inception Report;
• to present outline of River Basin Management Plan targets and strategy;
• to present the framework for pilot projects and feasibility studies selection.
  

For further information on the project please contact

Ilia Natchkov, Team Leader, Mott MacDonald Ltd., Ukraine
Trans-boundary river basin management. Phase II. Seversky-Donetsk Project
Tel: (+380-44) 279 2149; 537 5917; Fax: (+380-44) 537 5917
E-mail: severdonets@ukr.net

Kyiv, November 07, 2006

On November 16, 2006, the Project Improvement of Logistics and Marketing Channels for SMEs in Agriculture at its Melitopol regional office is organizing a seminar titled: Legal, customs and tax support for the export of horticultural products to the countries of CIS and Europe.

The purpose of the seminar is to provide explanations of customs and tax requirements for the export of agricultural products abroad, and to highlight the specifics in the conditions of importing countries for the Ukrainian producers and processors of agricultural products. The participants of the seminar will include agricultural producers of vegetables and fruits, transport companies, processors of agricultural products, as well as customs service officials.

The issue of proper and quick transportation is of exceptional importance for the producers of horticultural and agricultural products, since the market requires high-quality products to be transported fast and in a proper manner to avoid the loss of its commercial attraction. One of the factors hampering the export of agricultural products in this country is the cost and the longevity of the customs clearance and goods certification procedures. Therefore, the procedures ensuring complete and timely document processing at customs clearance for shipment transportation as well as filling out the customs declaration will be under review during the course of the seminar.

Among the issues for discussion at the seminar will be legal aspects for execution of contracts for the name and quantity of goods, terms and places of delivery, as well as conditions of carriage, price, total delivery cost, terms of payment and conditions of warrant and penalties, procedures for the release and acceptance of goods, force-majeure events, etc.

More detailed information on the activities of the Project Improvement of Logistics and Marketing Channels for SMEs in Agriculture being implemented under the assistance of the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine can be obtained at the Project’s web page at www.agrilogistics.com.ua or by contacting the Project’s experts at tel. +38 044 289 36 30 and 289 36 31.

The Ministry of Agricultural Policy of Ukraine and the Delegation of the European Commission in Ukraine initiated the Project ‘Improvement of Logistics and Marketing Channels for SMEs in Agriculture’. The Project’s implementation scheme was developed by the European Union Technical Assistance Programme. The Project being implemented by a Scanagri-led consortium was initiated in March 2005. The activities will be focused on the establishment of supply and marketing chains for fruits, vegetables, cereals and diary products, creation of wholesale markets and providing recommendations on agricultural policy and legal and regulatory environment.

Kyiv, 13 November 2006

On 7-11 November 2006, within the framework of the EU funded Project “Assistance to regional development in Ukraine” Study Tour to Poland on regional development and administrative-territorial reform was held. The participants of the Study Tour included representatives of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, Office of the Prime-Minister of Ukraine, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Secretariat of the President of Ukraine, Volyn, Vinnytsya and Cherkassy Oblast and Rayon State Administrations. The participants of the trip held meetings in Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw and Katowice with representatives of the Public Affairs Institute of Poland, Ministry of Regional Development, National High School of Public Administration, regional and local authorities and local self-government.

For further information please visit the Project’s web-site www.regdev.org or contact Project's Communication Officer:

Natalka Ostash
EU funded Project “Assistance to regional development in Ukraine”
Communication Officer
Tel.: +38 044 501 63 13
E-mail : n.ostash@regdev.org

The EU-funded project “SME Support Services in Priority Regions” successfully organised a three-day training programme for selected staff members of the European Information Correspondence Centre (EICC), located in the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The training programme delivered was dedicated to the different (business) information tools, web sites and systems used within the EU EIC Network, practical case studies on how EU-based EICs provide information to local businesses looking for export and import regulations and partners including the generation of customer-tailored company reports and the application of the know-how gained through the training on real life client requests received by the Ukrainian EICC.

The training programme was delivered by an EU expert, Mr. Look Van Looveren, Head of the Euro Info Centre of Antwerp (Belgium).

During the training Mr. Van Looveren also presented a current project implemented by EIC Antwerp, which is co-financed by the Ministry of the Flemish Community, through which Ukrainian partner institutions are guided in helping Ukrainian companies receive targeted services in the field of export and import regulations (duties, formalities, tariffs), business match-making and identification and dissemination to Ukrainian businesses on EU product legislation in vigour.

As a result of this presentation and the three-day training programme delivered to EICC within the framework of this project, EIC Antwerp and EICC Ukraine have agreed to include the EICC within this project and currently all preparations are under way to secure EICC Kyiv’s participation in this bi-lateral project at the responsible contract and financing departments within the Flemish Community.

For more information please contact:

Kyiv, November 10, 2006

EU-funded project for SME support discusses SME development issues with regional media

In November the EU-funded “SME Support Services in Priority Regions” project will host media round tables in its priority regions – Zhytomyr, Rivne and Chernigiv.

The purpose of these Media Round Tables is to share the activities of the project in its regions with the regional media as well as to discuss the issues of SME development in the regions in general. Particular feedback will be sought from the regional media in terms of opportunities and challenges faced by regional media when writing about SMEs and the SME sector.

During the event three short panel discussions facilitated by the project representatives will be held. The issues raised in each of the panel discussions will be discussed with the media and representatives of the regional business support organisations.

The first panel will be facilitated by David Wood, Project Training Expert and will be dedicated to human capital development as a pre-requisite for successful business development.

The second panel will be facilitated by Philip Santes, Project Team Leader, and will cover the role and impact of regional business support organisations in the development of SMEs.

The third panel will be facilitated by Victoria Tetyora, Local Project Expert, and will touch upon communication between the media and businesses.

For more information and accreditation, please contact:

Project Representative:

Victoria Tetyora
+38 (044) 332 41 64
victoria.tetyora@smeuk.org.ua

Enclosure: Programme of the Event

Zhytomyr – November 27, 2006

Rivne – November 28, 2006

Chernihiv- December 1, 2006

On October 24 – 29, within the framework of the EU funded Project “Assistance to regional development in Ukraine” a visit of the Ukrainian delegation to Northern France was held on the invitation of ISA-Lille (Higher Agricultural Institute). The participants of the delegation included representatives of the Vinnytsya Oblast Council, Vinnytsya State Agrarian University and “Ukrprominvest” Concern. The members of the delegation held meetings with the representatives of the General Council of Northern Region, Agricultural Chamber, ISA, and paid visits to beet exploitation and sugar factories.

For further information you can refer to the Project’s web-page www.regdev.org or contact Communication Officer:

Natalka Ostash
EU funded Project “Assistance to regional development in Ukraine”
Communication Officer
Tel.: +38 044 501 63 13
email : n.ostash@regdev.org

Kyiv, 2 November 2006

On 3rd of November in Kyiv The Open Day ceremony of the Centre for Professional and Social Reintegration «Kluch» will take place. Volodymyr Kondrachuk, Projects Manager of the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine, Victoria Sanovska, Director for Promoting Healthy Way of Life Among Young People of the Ministry for Family, Youth and Sport; Anatoliy Vievskiy, Chief Medical Doctor of Kyiv City Clinical Narcology Hospital «Socioterapija», as well as the representatives of the leading Kyiv and Ukrainian services, which provide help to the people with drug addiction, are going to participate in the Open Day.

The event will be held as part of the «Learning for Life» joint project realization, which is implemented in Ukraine by Internationaler Bund (Leipzig, Germany) and All-Ukrainian Youth Civic Organization «Youth Against Crime and Drug Abuse» and financed by European Union.

The event will be organized for promotion of activity and results of work of the new service provided for people with addiction problems and is aimed at attraction of attention of the public to a problem of a drug addiction in a society.

The programme of the event will include: