October 23, 2006, Brussels

The EU has granted EUR 1.6 million for environmental improvements in Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine as part of its Tacis Cities Award Scheme (TCAS). The funds will be used for sustainable waste management, public awareness raising and water treatment in ten municipalities situated along the EU’s borders. TCAS funded projects will target the following specific issues:

In Belarus:

• improved solid waste management and disposal in Beloozersk and Bereza, Brest Oblast.

In Georgia:

• improved collection, processing and disposal of medicinal waste in Batumi and Kobuleti; and
• improved municipal waste management and public awareness in Kutaisi.

In Moldova:

• improved waste management in the town of Edinet, including separated waste collection;
• separated waste collection in the town of Falesti;
• upgrading of the communal waste water treatment plant of the town Hincesti on the Cogilnic river;
• rtLists]--> pioneering environmnetally friendly solid waste collection management system in the municipalities of Cahul and Cantemir, and providing information to the public; and
• launching a waste collection and processig system, and boosting public awareness in the town of Leova.

In the Russian Federation:

• completing the new environmentally-sound municipal landfill of Apatiti, Murmansk region, and recultivation of the old one.

In Ukraine:

• sustainable collection and processing of municipal solid waste in Ivano-Frankivsk.

TCAS helps municipalities bordering the enlarged union to accomplish their documented environmental priorities. TCAS funded projects shall result in measurable improvements in the quality of life for the inhabitants of the concerned municipalities.

Local language information and details about the winning projects are available at <http://tcas.rec.org>.

For further information contact Pavel Antonov, tel. +36 20 3839851, <pavel@tcas.rec.org> or Tatiana Gaidarenko tel. +380-60 5025937 Tatiana@tcas.rec.org

EU Project “Strengthening Civil Society” and Sumy State University (www.sumdu.edu.ua) have elaborated a distance learning programme for NGO managers, which is expected attract new students annually. This initiative is a considerable step to raise the professional level of NGO managers in Ukraine. Distance learning is a very convenient and effective form of study for NGO representatives from bigger and smaller cities of Ukraine – such as Rivne, Chernivtsi, Donetsk, Sumy, Kherson, Kostopol, Kuznetsovsk, Vyzhnytsia, Okhtyrka, Shostka, Glukhov, etc.

The Program includes 4 courses: “Organizational development management of NGO”, “HR management in NGO”, “Regional management” and “Quality management”, and will last from October 20, 2006 till march 2007. 50 students, chosen on competitive basis, include leaders of social-oriented NGOs as well as leaders of Social Partnership Centers from Donetsk, Rivne, Sumy, Kherson and Chernivtsi, representatives of Ministry of Ukraine for family, youth and sports and Ministry of labor and social policy of Ukraine.

Successful students will be awarded with the state standard Certificates of raising skills in “NGO management” of Sumy State University. It is important to mention the fact that Sumy State University is “Sophiya Kyivska” academy rate laureate, as well as International rate of popularity and quality “Zolota Fortuna” laureate.

The Distance learning course allows to study and work simultaneously, technical requirements are minimal. In order to ensure a studying process for the students, taking into account the limited technical resources and confined Internet access, the authors provided each student with a local version of the program on a CD. By this means, students are able to study, using Internet only while passing the tests and accomplishing practical tasks.

The course is composed in such a way that in addition to lection materials student has an opportunity to master some of the topics by means of simulation of specific situations, testing and game methods.

This is a pilot program and it is expected that students give their comments and recommendations on how to improve the effectiveness and practical use of the lectures. Taking into consideration the fact that this program is in a high demand, that could be seen during the competition, the courses are planned to be integrated into university masters or bachelors program, on “Management” studies.

Regional representations of the EC Project “Strengthening Civil Society” Social Partnership Centers (SPC) – have recently organized a Fair of Social Services in Kherson (01.09), Sumy (02.09), Rivne (22.09), Donetsk (30.09) and Chernivtsi (08.10) regions. This event has been organized by SPC in cooperation with state and local self-government bodies to inform citizens and guests which NGO or institution provides social services of which kind, and give an opportunity to get to know them personally. The number of visitors usually varies between 500 and 2000.

During the Fair, the organizations present themselves at information stands and organize interactive events. For example, in Rivne, the Center for support of pregnant women and early child development “Mother, Father and me” provided consultations on breastfeeding, and the Society of the invalids with mobility dysfunctions demonstrated to the Rivne citizens the new social transport “Invataxi” (co-financed by the EC Delegation). A remarkable moment for Sumy was an involvement of higher education institutions in the fair for the first time. Like in other regions, departments for family and youth, center of social services for youth, family and children, employment center, department of labour and social protection have become traditional partners of the event. The format of the event was enlarged in Donetsk to round tables on NGO-related topics “Working ethics of NGOs”, “Cooperation of mass media and NGOs”, “The role of public organizations in strengthening civil society”, “Public resistance to alcohol and tobacco advertisements near educational institutions”. Moreover, local NGOs (charity foundations “Dobrota”, “Charitas-Donetsk”, “Nash Dom Ukraina”, Committee of Ukrainian voters, Donetsk youth debate center, Center of sobriety “Iskra” etc.) have not only become participants, but also co-organizers of the fair.

The fair of social services is an opportunity for nongovernmental organizations to talk with their colleagues and citizens about their achievements and discuss social services. Social Partnership Centers play a crucial role in widening communication channels between the NGOs and their target groups. They also act as a unifying platform for joint events of both non-state and state institutions. The success of the fair can be proved by the wish of NGOs not present in this year’s fair to join the event next year. Moreover, after the social fair in Kherson in early September, the representation of Kherson SPC in Kakhovka has initiated the Fair of social services in their city. Also the results of the blitz survey opt for the importance of the event for participants and for community on the whole. Let’s hope that the Fair of Social Services will become a good practice in Ukrainian cities.

Contact person:

Tetiana Katsbert

Tel. 246 76 82

tkatsbert@civilsociety.org.ua

October 25, 2006

The EU Project “Strengthening Civil Society” has completed a series of trainings in quality management for Project’s clients from the target regions: Rivne and Chernivtsi NGOs on June 1-3, Sumy NGOs on September 5-7, Kherson NGOs on September 12-14, and Donetsk NGOs on September 21-23. Trainings were organized by Project’s regional representations Social Partnership Centers in cooperation with trainers Christina Below, Liudmila Logginova and Christine Leiser – team leader of the Project “Strengthening Civil Society”.

Quality management (QM) is a form of organizational development that gains more and more importance in social institutions of Germany and other EU member states. To become professional providers of social services, socially oriented NGOs have to realize the importance of quality management for their further development, and constantly work on the improvement of their social services for the sake of their clients. The philosophy of QM is that the client stands in the center of attention of social service providers.

During the seminar, the participants used the methodology of quality management to analyze internal and external processes in their organizations linked to the social service provision. Besides, during the trainings the system of quality standards of International Standardization Organisation (ISO) and its usage in different fields was explained. Interestingly, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy has been working simultaneously on elaborating standards of quality management for social service providers. The draft of these standards is now being studied by the Project.

Social Partnership Centers in Rivne, Kherson, Sumy, Donetsk and Chernivtsi regions will further provide consultative support on quality management in NGOs. For more information, please visit www.civilsociety.org.ua. Contact person: Tetiana Katsbert, tkatsbert@civilsociety.org.ua 

Helsinki, 27 October 2006

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT

The 10th EU-Ukraine Summit took place in Helsinki on October 27th 2006. The EU was represented by the Finnish Prime Minister Mr Matti VANHANEN in his capacity as President of the European Council and by the President of the Commission, Mr José Manuel DURAO BARROSO. Prime Minister Vanhanen was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Erkki TUOMIOJA and Minister for European Affairs/Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ms Paula LEHTOMÄKI. The President of the Commission was accompanied by the Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Dr Benita FERRERO-WALDNER. The Ukrainian Delegation was led by the President Viktor YUSHCHENKO accompanied by Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Boris TARASYUK.

The Summit was the first such meeting after the Parliamentary elections in March, 2006, and the formation of the new Ukrainian government in August. The elections showed that the consolidation of democracy and the freedom of speech had been key achievements of the past two years. These need to be safeguarded. Three main points on the agenda were developments in the EU and Ukraine, EU-Ukraine relations and international issues.

The European Union and Ukraine agreed on the crucial importance of political and economic reforms in Ukraine and on the need for Ukraine to finalise the WTO accession process which would allow the development of stronger economic and trade relations with the EU. The Parties agreed on a joint comprehensive and ambitious approach to the new Enhanced Agreement between the EU and Ukraine, including a deep free trade area as an important element thereof. Both Parties are looking forward to the launch of official negotiations early 2007. The Parties also welcomed progress made in reforms in all fields covered by the EU - Ukraine Action Plan and agreed on the need to continue the implementation of the Action Plan.

The Summit welcomed increasingly close co-operation in the area of foreign and security policy, in particular as regards issues of regional stability and crisis management. It welcomed the alignment of Ukraine with EU positions on regional and international issues. Ukrainian and EU leaders confirmed their continued commitment to constructive cooperation in order to achieve a sustainable, comprehensive and just settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. The Summit also welcomed the initiatives of President Yushchenko, which had brought new impetus to the settlement process. The Parties took note of the effective work of the EU Border Assistance Mission on the border between Ukraine and Moldova as an example of mutually beneficial and successful EU-Ukraine cooperation. The importance of the continued implementation of the Joint Declaration by Ukraine and Moldova on customs was highlighted. The leaders also discussed the situation in Belarus and Ukrainian-Russian relations and welcomed the strengthening of EU-Ukraine Security and Defense co-operation. It was noted that the considerable needs Ukraine is facing in the area of destruction of outdated arms and ammunition call for a global and coherent approach. The EU's actions in this sector aim at helping Ukraine to enhance her destruction capabilities.

The Summit took note of progress on the joint implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on energy co-operation. Significant work is being undertaken in cooperation with EU to enhance the security of energy supplies in Ukraine and the gas transit to the EU market. This includes cooperation for identifying options for reform of the Ukrainian gas transit system as well as the adoption by Ukraine of the EU legislation with respect to oil stocks, the electricity and gas sectors, the extension of the Odessa-Brody oil pipeline, the completion of the oil and gas Boyarka metrology centre, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

Joint efforts will continue in implementing several energy infrastructure projects in cooperation with the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development aiming in particular at enhancing the transparency of cross border energy flows, the improvement of the efficiency of gas infrastructure, the metering of domestic energy consumption, and electricity network interconnections.

The EU welcomed Ukraine's intention of acceding to the Energy Community Treaty when the necessary conditions are met.

The Parties welcomed the recent conclusion of the « horizontal » air services agreement between the European Community and Ukraine that ensures legal certainty for air operations between the EU and Ukraine. They emphasised the importance of strengthening aviation relations between both sides and welcomed the Ukrainian efforts to further integrate into European aviation structures. In that context, they underlined the significance of full membership of Ukraine in the Joint Aviation Authorities.

The Parties reaffirmed the importance of cooperation in the area of Justice, Liberty and Security (JLS) and welcomed the progress that has been made in revising the EU - Ukraine Action Plan on Freedom, Security and Justice.

The Summit welcomed the successful completion of negotiations on the EC-Ukraine visa facilitation and readmission agreements and initialed both documents.

The Summit took note of the recent signature of a Memorandum of Understanding on a structured dialogue on agricultural issues.

Brussels, 26 October 2006

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso will attend tomorrow 27 October the EU-Ukraine Summit in Helsinki, accompanied by Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner. The Summit comes at an important moment for the process of democratic consolidation and overall reform in Ukraine. It also takes places at a crucial time when relations between the EU and Ukraine are being placed on a new basis, through the forthcoming negotiations for a new Enhanced Agreement, which is to replace the current EU-Ukraine Partnership and Co-operation Agreement.

President Barroso will welcome Ukraine’s progress on the path of political and economic reform and issue a strong call on Ukraine to continue the overall reform process.

“The EU has greatly appreciated the progress Ukraine has made since the Orange Revolution in the field of political reform. The free and fair parliamentary elections in March were a milestone in Ukraine’s democratic consolidation” said President Barroso. “We trust that Ukraine will continue to consolidate these achievements. The reform of the judiciary, the fight against corruption and improving the business climate are highest priorities, together with the finalisation of Ukraine’s WTO accession. This is not only crucial for Ukraine, but will also strengthen EU-Ukraine relations. On this basis, the EU and Ukraine can aspire to a qualitatively higher level in their relationship, through a new Enhanced Agreement.” He added : ”I am very pleased that the agreements on visa and readmission have been agreed - this means that Ukrainians will now be able to travel more freely and easily while maintaining the efforts to clamp down on illegal migration. I look forward to initialling both agreements at the forthcoming summit.”

The Summit will take stock of progress reached on joint initiatives launched in fields such as energy and border-related issues, and aim at providing them with added impetus. The EU and Ukraine are furthermore expected to discuss preparations and reach a joint understanding on the overall approach towards the new Enhanced Agreement. The EC-Ukraine readmission and visa facilitation agreements will be initialled by Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner and Ukraine Foreign Minister Boris Tarasyuk in the margins of the meeting.

The Summit will review the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Action Plan of 2005 and progress in relation to joint work and initiatives launched. Special attention will be dedicated to the issue of energy, where relations should be intensified between the EU as a consumer and Ukraine as a transit country for gas and oil resources. The sides will assess joint progress achieved under the Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Co-operation, signed at the 2005 Summit. Other topics on the agenda relate to co-operation on foreign and security matters, nuclear safety issues and justice, freedom and security. Regional and international issues will be discussed, including joint approaches to the settlement of the Transnistria conflict. The EU is confident that Ukraine will continue the excellent co-operation established with the EU Border Assistance Mission to Ukraine and Moldova (EUBAM) since the launch of the mission one year ago.

In the margins of the Summit, the agreements on the facilitation of issuance of visas and on readmission of illegal immigrants will be initialled. The two agreements open the way for easier travel and people-to-people contacts across Europe, while at the same time fighting illegal migration.

The agreement on visa facilitation eases the procedures for issuing short-stay visas for Ukrainian citizens. Under the new agreement, a decision on whether or not to issue a visa will have to be taken as a rule within 10 days and the documents that need to be presented have been simplified. The agreement also sets out simplified criteria for issuing multiple-entry visas for many groups of people, such as close relatives, lorry drivers, people on business, students, journalists and members of official delegations. Moreover, visa fees applied by Schengen Member States are fixed at 35 ˆ. Visa fees are waived for some groups of people such as close relatives, students, disabled people, journalists and pensioners. Individuals holding Ukrainian diplomatic passports will be exempt from the visa obligation under the agreement.

The agreement on readmission sets out clear obligations and procedures for the authorities of both Ukraine and the respective EU Member State as to when and how to take back people who are illegally residing on their territories. These obligations cover nationals from Ukraine, the EU Member States and those from third countries and stateless people. The provisions on the readmission of third-country nationals and stateless people will only become applicable after a transitional period of 2 years. A special accelerated procedure will apply to persons apprehended in common border regions who can be returned within a few days. The agreement contains the necessary safeguards with regard to data protection and the protection of fundamental human rights.

Kyiv, October 24, 2006

On October 31, 2006 the Project Improvement of Logistics and Marketing Channels for SMEs in Agriculture is organizing a seminar aimed at familiarizing of Ukrainian berry producers with up-to-date techniques of strawberry and raspberry growing. The seminar titled Improvement of strawberry and raspberry production efficiency and profit margin: varieties, technologies and marketing will be at the Institute of Vegetables and Horticulture, UAAN, Kharkiv oblast. More than 40 private farmers will participate at the seminar, as well as representatives from food processing enterprises, research workers and other parties concerned from Kharkiv oblast and eastern areas of Ukraine.

The agenda of the seminar includes presentation of the strawberry and raspberry growing techniques: strawberry growing techniques for processing industry; growing of off-season products; crop protection, feeding; fresh products market; assortment (new varieties); irrigation; protection and growing of everbearing and hedgerow raspberry varieties.

Strawberry is a fast-growing and high-yield crop. A yield up to 50 tonnes/ha can be harvested provided all the requirements for the techniques and growing and the selection of appropriate varieties are met. The main issues in the strawberry growing techniques are proper soil preparation, optimal plant placement, growing of high-yielding varieties and efficient protection from pests and diseases. The preliminary enrichment of the soil with feeding agents is an important prerequisite to obtain a high harvested crop. An average of 80-100 tonnes/ha of pus or compost and 90-120 kg/ha of phosphorus and potassium should be placed under the turned up bed. Individual rates of fertilizer applications are established depending on the available feeding agents in the soil, however, these rates should not exceed 300 kg of feeding agents per 1 hectare.

The hedgerow raspberry growing techniques contributes to better exposure of the leaves to light and their assimilation activity, improved yield, quality and grading of the berries and the reduction of harmful effect of pests and diseases. This technique requires certain expenditures for installation of trellis and tying up of the footstalk that will definitely be compensated by the additional profit. The biological property of everbearing raspberry is the ability to form reproductive beds on the shoots in the year of their growth and to produce crop before frost. The everbearing raspberry growing techniques with the purpose of obtaining only autumn yields significantly reduces the number of agricultural monitoring activities, particularly limiting to the grading of the shoots, 2-3 sprayings against pests and diseases, installation of the trellis and tying up of the plants to it.

The seminar participants will be given an opportunity to visit Tsvetkov farming enterprise where they will be able to have a look at the activities of the enterprise, to be involved in discussions and to receive answers to wide range of questions.

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, 23 October 2006

The Start-up Conferences of the MOLI-UA-2 Project entitled “The role of training in the development of systems to combat money laundering and terrorist financing: Ukraine’s experience” took place in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 20 September 2006.

The conference was organized jointly by the State Committee for Financial Monitoring (SCFM) of Ukraine and the Council of Europe (CoE) with the support of the European Commission (EC). The conference was chaired by Head of the SCFM Mr. Serhiy Hurzhiy and Deputy Head of the SCFM Mr. Stanislav Klushke.

The total of 47 participants were present including the SCFM staff members and heads of its regional offices, foreign experts, the CoE and EC officials as well as representatives of the Ukrainian banking system, law-enforcement/judiciary bodies, and Parliament. Financial Intelligence Units (FIU) of Bulgaria, Georgia and Serbia were represented.

The participants provided an overview of the situation with the AML/CTF system in Ukraine in late 90-ies and the progress made since the first MOLI-UA project, underlining the role of technical assistance of the CoE and the EC. They also looked into the money-laundering schemes that had been recently revealed and persecuted, and the state of affairs with the financial monitoring training in the Ukrainian banking system.

A presentation of a foreign expert on how to make a successful training and/or curriculum for the development of AML/CTF systems encouraged a discussion on the training needs and possibilities in Ukraine and the role of the MOLI-UA-2 project in meeting them.

The CoE introduced to the participants the MOLI-UA-2 Project, the Inception Report and the Work Plan for October-December 2006. Dwelling on the achievements reached in the Ukrainian AML/CTF system, the current project will focus on the comprehensive capacity building and improvement of the effective legislation to bring it up to international standards.

The participants welcomed the Inception Report and the Work Plan, putting emphasis on mainly three priorities: legal opinion on the conformity of the Ukrainian AML legislation with the international standards; comprehensive training of staff of the AML/CTF system at all levels; and enhanced inter-agency national and international cooperation on AML/CTF issues. They also assured of their cooperation to fully meet the project objectives.

Please see the  Minutes of the Conference  (23.98 KB)  for more detailed information.

Kyiv, 24 October 2006

Hotel Vozdvizhenskij (address: 60, Vozdvizhenska Str.), 14:30 – 16:30

A Launching Conference of the new phase of Ukrainian-European Policy and Legal Advice Centre took place today at Hotel Vozdvizhenskij in Kyiv. The event was co-organised by the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine and the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and gathered some 150 high-ranking Ukrainian officials, top representatives of the diplomatic corps, international organisations and civil society.

In his opening statement, Ian BOAG, Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of European Commission to Ukraine, stated that a new phase of UEPLAC is to focus almost exclusively on the support in the process of European integration and legal approximation and is, in fact, pioneering the path for legal approximation in a ENP country.

Dr Jolanta TACZYNSKA, the Centre’s Team Leader, while citing from Lesya Ukrainka’s “Contra spem spero!”, assured the audience that this new phase will be implemented on the ground of full transparency and partnership between the Ukrainian and European counterparts.

UEPLAC will deal with all issues falling under the scope of legal approximation and has as its aim strengthening understanding, implementation and ownership by the Ukrainian Authorities of the whole process of approximation to the EU acquis in all the areas foreseen in the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) and European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan (ENP-AP). The project started in July and will run for three years.

Background

The EU funded “Ukrainian-European Policy and Legal Advice Centre (UEPLAC) – Phase IV” has recently commenced its activity and is working towards to ensure proper prioritisation of Ukrainian legal approximation work, preparation of approximated legislation in the fields relevant to Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between EC and Ukraine and European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan implementation, strengthening Ukrainian policy-making and legislative process in conformity with Ukrainian’s objectives in the context of EU integration and to build Ukrainian capacity in, particularly, being able to implement the process of approximation of the Ukrainian legislation to EU legislation. To achieve this goal, this phase of the project assembled a permanent core team of high profile renowned high ranking professionals and legal experts, which were put at disposal of UEPLAC.

The importance of this project proves that the UEPLAC’s beneficiary from the Ukrainian side is the National Council for Approximation of Legislation under the Prime Minister of Ukraine, which is responsible for co-ordination of the activities of the governmental bodies in the sphere of legal approximation. Among the UEPLAC’s main partners are the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, the State Department for Legal Approximation and various line ministries.

For more information, please contact Angela Markova at 044 278 85 69

Kyiv, October 23, 2006

On September 19, 2006 the workshop devoted to meeting UNFCCC and Kyoto commitments by Ukraine was held in Kiev. The event was organized by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Ukraine and members of ICF consortium – ICF International and Agency for Rational Energy Use and Ecology (ARENA-ECO) under EU TACIS Project “Technical Assistance to Ukraine and Belarus with Respect to their Global Climate Change Commitments”.

Representatives of Ministries and other Ukrainian institutions, Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine, foreign governmental and private carbon programs and funds as well as representatives of public organizations took part in the Workshop.

Broad discussion on implementation of the national policy for climate change mitigation including the role of public organizations in this process took place during the workshop.

All the results under the project “Technical Assistance to Ukraine and Belarus with Respect to their Global Climate Change Commitments” have been successfully attained and presented at the workshop:

• Established technical and institutional components of Kyoto Protocol GHG inventory national systems (KPNIS) in Ukraine and Belarus, including Actions Plans – Ukraine and Belarus submitted 1990-2004 inventories to UNFCCC Secretariat and are preparing Initial Reports under Kyoto Protocol.
• Completed Action Plan on setting up the JI Infrastructure in Ukraine – Plan is prepared along with JI Manual for JI developers
• Belarusian and Ukrainian experts and officials trained in GHG inventory, JI, and mitigation issues – Two Training Cycles are delivered plus three JI preparation workshops for JI developers.
• Completed feasibility study for institutional and technical requirements for the establishment of national GHG registries in Ukraine and Belarus – Studies are prepared: Original registry program developed in Ukraine and SERINGAS registry is procured in Belarus
• Completed draft of the Ukraine’s Second National Communication (NC2) – English and Russian versions of National Communication in Ukraine developed and reviewed.
• Recommendations on domestic and international components of Belarusian climate change strategy are developed and finalized – Belarus ratified the Kyoto Protocol and submitted proposal for KP target to be reviewed and adopted at MOP2 in Nairobi. Belarus KP target was developed by the Tacis Project based on original GHG projections.
• Key Ukrainian and Belarusian stakeholders from public administration, industry, NGO sectors and general public are fully aware about Kyoto Protocol conditions and requirements and have efficient effective means of public communication based on national climate change websites – Designated climate change websites were developed by the Project in Ukraine and Belarus; Regional Conference was conducted in Minsk (Belarus); Two Stakeholder workshops were conducted in Belarus (Third is pending on October 26-27 in Minsk); Two public participation conferences were conducted in Ukraine. Two brochures on climate change were published in Ukraine and Belarus.

For further information please contact:

The Delegation of the European Commission in Ukraine, Press and Information Section

delegation-ukraine-press@ec.europa.eu

Kyiv, October 18, 2006

The Project Improvement of Logistics and Marketing Channels for SMEs in Agriculture is organizing a seminar titled: Growing techniques for early vegetables in large plastic greenhouses to be held on October 24 in Chernivtsi.

The aim of the seminar is to provide the Ukrainian agricultural producers with essential information and materials concerning the issues of vegetable growing in large plastic greenhouses. The participants of the seminar will include representatives of different farming enterprises, as well as self-employed producers.

The greenhouse vegetable growing is a sci-tech, complex and high-intensity industrial sector of agriculture providing production of early vegetable and greens crops during the winter-spring season. The main function of the greenhouse is the extension of vegetation period for plants or their year-round growing and the establishment of adequate climate conditions for this process.

The agenda of the seminar will include the discussion of issues of the creation of favourable conditions for growing and cultivation of vegetable varieties in the areas under cover, as well as getting high yields (5-10 times that of the open areas). The main intensity factors in the greenhouse vegetable production are, first and foremost, the microclimate parameters, such as fertilisers, feeding, variety assortment, temperature and humidity regulation optimal for each individual crop. In this respect, the microclimate regulation can be carried out in both automatic and manual operation modes. During the preparatory activities in the greenhouses for planting of a new variety, there is a requirement for a strict sequence of works and processes, such as: cleansing and decontamination of greenhouse structures, disinfection and processing of the soil (trenching, rototilling), application of fertilizers, fixing of soil register plates, moisture charge irrigation method (if needed).

Plastic covers are used to protect plants from freezing temperatures up to minus 3°Ñ. Steel-made, wooden or made of thin polyester tubes (up to 20 mm), industrially manufactured or home-made, the frames of various forms appear to be the carrying structures. The greenhouse must have a perfect climate for growing of crops that is ensured by large windows and ventilation openings. Due to this, a yield of 20-70% can be achieved; the free space above the crops should be 2.30 m. Thus, warm air goes up and does not interfere with the plants (it is known that the temperature above 22-32^oC is harmful for plants).

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.

Brussels, 19 October 2006

EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mariann Fischer Boel, and Ukraine’s Minister of Agricultural Policy, Yuriy Melnyk, yesterday (Wednesday) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on agriculture at a ceremony in Brussels. The Memorandum will provide a structured framework for establishing consultation and cooperation mechanisms on agricultural issues.

"Ukraine is a key partner of the EU in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy and is also a major producer of agricultural products", said Commissioner Fischer Boel. "Ukraine can benefit from our experience in setting up and implementing agricultural and rural development policies. At the same time, the EU will benefit from an enhanced exchange of information on agricultural production and trade."

The Memorandum of Understanding will establish a new platform to discuss agricultural issues on a regular basis, as a complement to current institutional structures. This will improve mutual knowledge of the two sides’ agricultural policies and contribute to the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Joint Action Plan under the European Neighbourhood Policy. Cooperation will assist Ukraine’s convergence to international production and trade standards and provide a starting point for introducing agricultural and rural development aspects into the work towards a new Enhanced Agreement between Ukraine and the EU.

Ukraine’s role in international organisations dealing with agriculture is constantly increasing; this new dialogue will allow the two sides to coordinate, when necessary, their respective policies at such international fora.

Brussels, 18 October 2006

Javier SOLANA, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), will travel to Kiev on Thursday, 19 October 2006 for meetings with several political leaders.

Mr Solana will meet President YUSHCHENKO and will have a working lunch with Prime Minister YANUKOVICH. He will also meet Vitaliy HAIDUK, the newly appointed secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, as well as Yulia TYMOSHENKO, leader of the opposition.

During the visit, President YUSHCHENKO will confer upon HR Solana the Order of Yaroslav the Wise.

This visit will provide an opportunity to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine and EU-Ukraine relations.

Brussels, 18 October

Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs met today the Energy and Fuel Minister of Ukraine, Yuriy Boiko in Brussels to assess the progress in the energy cooperation between EU and Ukraine on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation. Minister Boiko and Commissioner Piebalgs have also signed, jointly with Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the first Progress Report on its implementation. "Ukraine's commitment to bringing its energy market closer to EU standards is an important contribution to enhancing the security of energy supplies of Europe" said Commissioner Piebalgs.

The meeting drew conclusions on the first year of enhanced energy cooperation following the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding in December last year and with a view to the EU-Ukraine Summit that will be held in Helsinki next week. The report outlines progress reached in four areas defined by the Memorandum, namely nuclear safety, electricity and gas markets, security of energy supplies and transit of hydrocarbons, and coal, as well as the work undertaken in the area of energy efficiency and renewable energies.

Significant work is being undertaken to enhance the security of energy supplies in Ukraine in cooperation with the EU. This includes cooperation for identifying options for reform of the Ukrainian gas transit system as well as the adoption by Ukraine of the EU legislation with respect to oil stocks, the reform of the electricity and gas sectors, the extension of the Odessa-Brody oil pipeline, the completion of the Boyarka metrology centre, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

Joint efforts will continue in the future in implementing several energy infrastructure projects in cooperation with the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The projects will aim to support the further integration of the Ukrainian energy market with the EU through the necessary reforms in the oil and gas sectors in Ukraine as well as enhancing the transparency of cross border energy flows on all Ukrainian borders.

Odesa, 18 October 2006

Representatives of the two border guard services and the two customs services of Moldova and Ukraine met today at the European Union Border Assistance Mission Headquarters in Odessa to draw up a joint analysis of the results of their recent joint operation. The operation took place in two phases between 1 to 16 October. The operation was encouraged and facilitated by the EUBAM with the aim of improving co-operation and complementarity between the national agencies involved in border control in each state and between Moldova and Ukraine.

A cross-border operation between the Moldovan and Ukrainian border services resulted in a 135% increase in rejections of potential illegal immigrants for entry at border crossing points. According to the Head of the European Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine, Ferenc Banfi, this indicates tighter control of the border. “These figures show that border professionals on both sides are exerting tighter control of the border by making better use of risk analysis techniques such as person profiling. Risk analysis coupled with a good information exchange system is the foundation for a modern border control system and the good results achieved in this operation demonstrate their value”, he said.

The evaluation concluded that the joint operation was a success due to the improved cooperation between the two sides. One of the lessons learned is that even deeper cooperation between the national agencies on both sides of the border will yield good results for future operations.

Background

The most notable results were:

• an increase of 40% compared with the same period last year in the number of people refused entry at the border crossing points which indicates tighter control systems;
• an increase of 135% of potential illegal immigrants stopped from crossing the border indicates that the use of risk analysis techniques such as basic profiling of persons is yielding concrete results;
• the scale of meat imports into the territory of the Transnistrian region of Moldova (1,394 tonnes in the first four days of the operation) indicates that criminal groups are attempting to sell illegally imported goods in Ukraine and Moldova. It also seems likely that smugglers are redirecting their operations away from the segment of the border adjoining the Transnistrian region of Moldova to the northern and southern sectors of the border;
• illegal movement of goods and cargo decreased by two times;
• as for smuggling the main detections were:
• 60 tonnes of pork fat detected on the Moldovan side of the border
• 8 tonnes of meat detected on the Ukrainian side of the border
• Identification and raid of a house in Kuchurhan used as a warehouse for smugglers; contraband seized included 2000kg of foreign meat products, other food and drink projects, textiles and metal products including insulators for high-voltage electrical cables
• three cases of drug-smuggling (of marijuana) involving 4,850 grams were detected; two on railway on the Moldovan side and one on the Ukrainian side of the border.

For additional information please contact:

Anastasiya Trotska (0482) 36-52-74 or 38 050 386 89 73, e-mail: press@eubam.org

Today, the Commission launches a ˆ4.5 million programme to support scholarships for Belarusian students wanting to study abroad. Under this project, which will be implemented by the Nordic Council of Ministers, scholarships will be made available to Belarusian students from the start of this academic year. With the contribution of the Nordic Council of Ministers the programme totals ˆ5 million. Scholarships will be granted to students who have been penalised by the regime and who have been denied access to Belarusian universities because of their political activities during and after the presidential elections of 19 March 2006. Thanks to these scholarships, Belarusian students who have been expelled will be able to pursue their studies in neighbouring countries in particular at the European Humanities University (EHU) in exile in Vilnius and in Ukraine. This initiative complements the scholarships offered by several Member States to sanctioned students. The project is part of the Commission’s continuing efforts to support Belarusian civil society and in particular Belarusian students and youth.

The Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said: “Europe cares about the people of Belarus and wants to help those who have suffered because of their role in political activities normal in a democracy. I hope that those who study under this scheme will take home with them a greater understanding of life in a free society, and that they will maintain their hope and optimism that their country may one day enjoy these freedoms”.

The situation with regards to human rights and democracy in Belarus remains very worrying and has recently further deteriorated. Since the presidential election of 19 March 2006, the Belarusian authorities have tightened their grip on civil society and in particular on the media, youth, opposition forces and NGOs.

Sanctions have targeted, amongst others, Belarusian students who demanded a fully democratic process at the time of the elections. As a retaliatory measure, a number of students have been expelled on political grounds or been refused the possibility to pass exams. It is expected that more students could be denied access to education in the coming academic year.

The Commission's 3-year scholarship programme for Belarusian students, worth ˆ4.5 million will comprise 3 components:

• Scholarships to 170 Master and 35 Bachelor Programmes for new students at the European Humanities University (EHU) in Vilnius.
• Living expenses for Belarusian students currently enrolled at the EHU
• Scholarships for 100 students for higher education in Ukraine and other neighbouring countries

The EHU, a Belarusian university which was forced into exile in Vilnius, is supported by the European Commission with ˆ2.2 million. The EHU provides young Belarusians with education in social sciences or humanistic programmes. For those who seek to study other disciplines, Ukrainian universities are a suitable alternative, due to their proximity to Belarus. 

Scholarships will cover tuition fees as well as living expenses (including social security and lodging). Students will be selected by a panel of experts under the authority of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Scholarships will be granted to students who have been accepted by a host university and who have demonstrated that they cannot study in Belarus.

The Nordic Council of Ministers was formed in 1971 as a forum for Nordic governmental co-operation. Five countries: Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Finland and 3 autonomous territories: Ferroe Islands, Aland and Greenland participate.

For more information on EU/Belarus relations please see:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/belarus/intro/index.htm

Kyiv, 13 October 2006

The EYP is an important initiative that encourages a vigorous public discussion of the European issues and promotes European integration at the level of youth. It also gives young people an insight into the work of European institutions along with invaluable experience of decision-making. The EYP International session in Ukraine is particularly important in the framework of people-to-people contacts, one of the priorities of the EU-Ukraine Action Plan.

High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU and Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union Javier Solana has agreed to become a patron of the 53rd international session of the European Youth Parliament in Ukraine. It is also supported by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Borys Tarasyuk, Minister for Family, Youth and Sport of Ukraine Yuriy Pavlenko, Vice-President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Volodymyr Lytvyn, Head of the European Parliament Delegation for Ukraine Marek Siwiec, Director for Youth and Sport of the Council of Europe Ralf -Rene Weingärnter and Member of Parliament and UNICEF National Ambassador in Ukraine Ruslana Lyzhychko.

"This session of the European Youth Parliament in Ukraine reaffirms the European choice of Ukraine and is symbolic of the closer relations that exist and are being developed between the EU and Ukraine. The Commission Delegation is delighted to support it," said Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of European Commission in Ukraine Ian Boag.

For more information please visit:

www.eyp-ua.org

www.kis2006.in.ua

Kiev, 11 October 2006

The Senior Level Review Meeting of the Söderköping Process will take place in Stockholm, Sweden on 12-13 October, 2006. The Meeting will gather ministerial level asylum, migration and border guard officials from Belarus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine, as well as representatives of the European Commission (EC), the Swedish Migration Board (SMB), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the EU Presidency. The Government of Sweden will chair the meeting.

The meeting will function as a mechanism to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation among the countries involved, and will identify possible joint actions aimed at supporting each other and strengthening capacity in managing migration and improving the protection of asylum seekers and refugees, with particular focus on the needs of Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine.

The main goals of the meeting:

• assess the outcome of thematic workshops of Söderköping Process conducted in 2006, in particular the workshop on Migration Trends in Eastern and Central Europe and Regional Meeting of Managers of Reception Facilities for Asylum Seekers, and report on the progress reached;
• update on the most recent developments in the EU asylum and migration legislation;
• set priorities and make recommendations on issues to be addressed within the Söderköping Process for 2007.

The Söderköping process was launched in 2001 with the objective to facilitate cross-border co-operation between EU acceding and candidate countries and Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine on asylum, migration and border management issues. It includes now ten countries situated along the enlarged EU border: Belarus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine. The process is funded by the EU and implemented by the UNHCR, the SMB and the IOM.

"The Soderkoping process is an excellent initiative for creating good cooperation between countries across the EU border in order to increase our capacity to uphold well managed migration", says Mr. Lars Pahlsson, Director of International Affairs at the Swedish Migration Board.

For further information please contact Ms. Kristina Rannar at the Swedish Migration Board tel: +46 8 470 98 01, fax: +46 8 470 98 25, e-mail: kristina.rannar@migrationsverket.se  

Kyiv, October 11, 2006

On October 13, 2006 the Project Improvement of Logistics and Marketing Channels for SMEs in Agriculture will organize a seminar in Kharkiv called ‘Export opportunities for fruits and vegetables: legal support, certification and customs clearance’. The purpose of the event is to provide Ukrainian producers and processors of agricultural products with information and essential material on the issues of product export, making contracts with foreign partners, pre-export preparation of products, including certification, customs brokerage and logistics. More than 40 private farmers representing agricultural processing enterprises, officials and interested parties from the Kharkiv oblast and oblasts of Eastern Ukraine will take part in the seminar.

Legal issues on foreign economic activities, such as international contracts, its contents and mandatory provisions will be under discussion during the seminar. The simplest contract includes the subject and volume of delivery (the name and quantity of goods), the term and place of delivery, basic terms and conditions of the delivery, the price and total value of the delivery, conditions of payment, procedures of acceptance of goods, terms and conditions of guarantees and penalties, issues on arbitration, force-majeur and conditions of transportation. Among the complicating factors for the export of agricultural products in this country are the costly and time-consuming procedures of the customs clearance and certification of goods. Consequently, the procedures and necessary documentation of customs clearance process, completion of customs declarations and receipt of the certificate of origin will also be given due attention during the event.

Participants will receive a sample of the contract of foreign economic activity with supplementary legal acts, copies of certificates, declarations, etc.

A 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.

Kiev, October 10, 2006

This month sees the delivery in Kiev of the first of two National Seminars on Business Cluster Development that will describe the mechanisms and provide “Best Practices” examples for successful cluster development in Europe and beyond.

Mrs. Lana Hopkinson, an EU-TACIS cluster development expert, will be the key presenter during the seminar, which will be attended by representatives of the project’s main beneficiary SCURPE as well as civil servants responsible for economic development within each Oblast of Ukraine. The seminar will also encompass a presentation by the British donor organisation DFID (Department for International Development), which has been actively promoting cluster development in Ukraine during the last years.

The seminar will cover the following topics:

• What is an industry cluster – feasibility, advantages and disadvantages-
• The Cluster development process (vision, development stages, action agenda-
• The role of a Cluster Facilitator
• Cluster development resources
• Cluster Case Studies in Western Europe and Ukraine

In addition to the National Cluster Seminar, three follow-up Regional Seminars on Cluster Development will be organised in each of the project’s Priority Regions (Rivne, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv) mid October, 2006. These seminars will follow the same outline as for the National Cluster Seminar though the invited audience will consist of representatives from the Economics Departments of each rayon within each priority region.

Linked to the cluster seminars is the production of a Cluster Best Practice Paper that will be posted on the project’s web site early November, 2006. Additionally, a study tour to an EU Member State in order to practically visit clusters is being prepared.

For more information please contact:

The conference was organized by the EU funded project “Assistance to regional development in Ukraine” with support of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, Ministry of Building, Architecture and Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine, Verkhovna Rada Committee for State Construction, Regional Policy and Local Self-Governance, Verkhovna Rada Committee for Finance and Banking, Association of Ukrainian Cities and Communities.

The aim of the conference was to discuss conditions and possibilities of involving international and Ukrainian banking institutions in helping Ukrainian regions and local authorities to obtain financing for investments aiming at development of Ukrainian regions. The topics, proposed for discussion, included: public investment at the regional and local level; practices of the EU Member States; financing public investment at the regional and local level in Ukraine; improving existing financial instruments; additional solutions to explore opportunities for expanding public investment at the regional and local level.

Participants of the conference included representatives of the Ukrainian Government, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, regional and local authorities, European and Ukrainian banks, international donor organizations, as well as European experts on financing regional development.

The EU funded project “Assistance to regional development in Ukraine” dealt with assisting the preparation of the regional development strategies and ways of their implementation. We understood that notwithstanding the quality of these strategies the major problem is the gap between the huge financial resources required to implement these strategies and the scarcity of available public finances both at national and local levels.

Against this background, the present conference is aimed at presenting some experience of large EU countries (France, Germany and Poland) on how they managed to finance public investment for regional development and contribute to promotion of local socio-economic development. The experience of banks that work in several countries and are lending money to local governments will also be presented on the conference. Key speakers include also representatives of the European Investment Bank and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development.

Based on the EU example we came to conclusion that Ukraine may solve the issue of scarcity of resources to finance the local public investment by setting up a National Fund of Regional Development. Being discussed on the conference this idea will be put under consideration of the Working group that will consist of the representatives of governmental institutions, Ukrainian cities, banks, etc.

Financing public investment at local and regional level will enable the Ukrainian population to have access to public services which they need and deserve. Combined with some additional financial tools for assisting economic development, it will enable sustainable economic development in the regions of Ukraine for a better welfare of the Ukrainian population.

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, 9 October 2006

12-13 October 2006, 10:00 at Kyiv Vocational Pedagogical College of Makarenko, Kyiv, Chornovola, 24

The Conference on Dissemination of EU Policies on Education and Training organised by European Training Foundation (ETF) will present the latest developments for Ukraine in important fields of European education and training initiatives, namely the Copenhagen Process and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

The Head of the EC Delegation to Ukraine Ambassador Ian Boag and First Deputy Minister of Education and Science Boris Zhebrovskyi will open the Conference.

The Conference will bring together policy makers, expert community, including prominent ETF experts, and social partners to discuss to what extent Ukraine may benefit from the EU policies while modernising its own education and training system.

Ján Figel’, European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism, said: “People in Europe too often face obstacles when they try to move from one country to another to learn or work, or when they want to build upon previous education or training. The EQF will make different national qualifications more understandable across Europe, and so promote access to education and training. Once adopted, it will increase mobility for learning or working. We believe the EQF is a key initiative in creating more jobs and growth, helping people in Europe to face the challenges of a globalising, knowledge-based world economy.”

The Conference aims at helping people take note of all the tools for education and training reform being developed in the EU. Through discussions and exchange of experience the ETF hopes that countries will take the Copenhagen issues further in reform processes by putting them on the agenda during their policy discussions and believes that networking between countries facilitates learning from each others’ experiences. Experts from Estonia and the Russian Federation will also participate and share their country experience with the conference participants.

Background

European Training Foundation (ETF) is an agency of the European Union supporting education and training reforms in countries surrounding Europe. Working on behalf of the EU, the ETF assists the EU partner countries in developing quality education and training systems and in putting them into practice. The ETF is based in Turin, Italy, and is operational since 1994. For references on the European Training Foundation consult www.etf.europa.eu

The Copenhagen Process is similar to that of Bologna but it works in the field of vocational education and training (VET) and aims at enhancing the quality and attractiveness of VET, and at improving the mobility of people in vocational training or with a vocational qualification. 31 European countries including the 25 EU Member States have signed up to the Copenhagen process and agreed on achieving common goals in VET.

The European Qualification Framework (EQF) for lifelong learning adopted by the European Commission on 5 September 2006 will provide a common language to describe qualifications which will help countries, employers and individuals compare qualifications across the EU’s diverse education and training systems.

As an instrument for the promotion of lifelong learning, the EQF encompasses general and adult education, vocational education and training, as well as higher education. The eight levels cover the entire span of qualifications from those achieved at the end of compulsory education to those awarded at the highest level of academic and professional or vocational education of training.

For further information please contact the ETF Country Manager for Ukraine at Delegation of European Commission to Ukraine, Timo Kuusela, tel. + 38 044 3908010, or timo.kuusela@ec.europa.eu

Kyiv, 6 October 2006

EU-funded project “Civic Education – Ukraine” will organize the workshop on the issue of social justice and equal opportunities on 12^th of October 2006. Around 30 participants representing project Working groups and its pilot oblasts will take part in the workshop.

The goal of the workshop is to inform co-ordinators of the Working groups and pilot oblasts about modern standards of policy of equal opportunities in education as well as to introduce to the methods of implementation of this policy. One of the main topics of the workshop will be analysis and development of training materials taking into account non-discriminating approach.

At the workshops participants will get needed knowledge and skills, which they will be able to use further in their works for components of the EU project “Civic Education – Ukraine”.

For further information on the project please contact

David Royle, International Team Leader, Cambridge Education, Ukraine

Civic Education Project

Tel: (+380-44) 4665467; 2386389; 5685780; Fax: (+380-44) 2308102

E-mail: David.Royle@ced.kiev.ua

Olena Syslova, national expert on the issues of social equaity and equal opportunities

Fax: (+380-44) 482 3207

Mobile.: 8050 424 3771

Kyiv, 5 October 2006

The Programme “Support to establishing a comprehensive system of social services for young drug users” is initiated in September 2006 and financed by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The programme is planned for 3 years and implemented by the UNFPA and the State Social Service for Families, Children and Youth (SSSFCY). Budget of the Programme is ˆ 3,235,200. The Programme’s main objective is to support the development of an effective national system of Social Services for intravenous drug users (IDUs) under the auspices of the SSSFCY.

The Programme envisages the following activities:

1. Developing a comprehensive approach on drug abuse and HIV/STI prevention, and promotion of safe behaviour among young people, including support for standards developing for social services to IDUs. Models of social work to promote safe behaviour and prevent drug abuse and HIV/STI spread will be developed and tested.
2. Training on various aspects of social work for staff of Social Services for IDUs, concerned social workers from the SSSFCY and representatives of the civil society organisations.
3. Procuring service-related, educational and data processing equipment for Social Services for drug users.
4. Information campaign for safe behaviour promotion and drug abuse prevention among youth population.

The Programme will also establish partnerships between organisations from various sectors for extensive involvement into drug abuse and HIV/STI prevention – from narcology clinics, AIDS centres to youth NGOs, student organisations, volunteer movements and potential donors.

The Programme will directly support the implementation of the Decree of the Parliament of Ukraine dated 03.02.2004 (reg # 1425-IV) “On Parliament recommendations in terms of youth in Ukraine “Formation of healthy life style of Ukrainian youth: current situation, problems and perspectives” and an order of the Ministry of family, youth and sport “On Social Services for IDUs”. In broader context the Programme will contribute to the implementation of the following national development frameworks:

• Intersectoral Programme "Health of the Nation" for 2002-2011;
• National Programme on HIV Prevention and Provision of Support and Treatment to AIDS patients for 2004-2008;
• National Programme "Reproductive Health of the Nation" for 2006-2015;
• National Programme of Support of Young People for 2004-2008;

For further information please contact:

Sergiy Bezkorovainyi, Programme manager ,UNFPA Ukraine

Klovsky Uzviz 1, 01021, Kyiv, Ukraine , Tel./fax: + 38 (044) 5360824

Kyiv, 5 October 2006

A joint press conference to present EU educational opportunities for Ukraine will be held on

10 October, 2006, 9:30am in Kyiv European University,

16-V, Akademika Vernadskogo Bulv.

The press conference takes place in the framework of the TEMPUS Information Days in Ukraine. TEMPUS, the European Commission’s trans-European cooperation scheme in higher education provides grants to the development and restructuring of higher education in the partner countries.

The TEMPUS Information Day in Kyiv will be held by Ian BOAG, Head of the EC Delegation to Ukraine and Belarus, Mykhaylo STEPKO, Deputy Minister for Education and Science of Ukraine, Ivan TYMOSHENKO, Rector of the European University, Felix ROHN, Tempus Programme Officer, European Commission, Dorina ANGELESCU, Project Officer, European Training Foundation.

For accreditation please call: Kyiv European University, 38 (044)

Kyiv, 5 October 2006

European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Mrs Danuta Hübner, is visiting Ukraine from 4 to 6 October to discuss co-operation with Ukraine on regional development and to participate in the VI International Economic Forum in Lviv. The Commissioner will also meet a number of Cabinet members, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, Borys Tarasyuk, Minister of Economy, Volodymyr Makukha and Deputy Prime Minister for Regional Policy Volodymyr Rybak. The Commissioner will call upon the new Ukrainian government to continue the political and economic reform process, including administrative and territorial reform. She will reconfirm the EC's support in improving local development capacities and furthering regional sustainable development in Ukraine.

"The next generation of regional policy programmes 2007 - 2013, should allow for enhanced cooperation between the EU and Ukrainian regions", said Commissioner Hübner. "Ukrainian regions could benefit from the experience built by neighbouring European regions. Countries such as Poland or Hungary will have for the first time programmes designed and implemented at regional level. Ukrainian regions could monitor this experience. They should also benefit from renewed regional dynamism at their borders", said Danuta Hübner today at the VI International Economic Forum in Lviv. The Forum is dedicated to the role of cross-border co-operation among European regions in economic development and will bring together high-level representatives from various European regions from Central and Eastern Europe. Commissioner Hübner's intervention focused on the role of the EU in furthering links between regions in the EU and counterparts in its wider neighbourhood. The Commissioner is, furthermore, had discussions with high dignitaries of the Lviv Region.

During the second day of her visit Commissioner Hübner will have talks with a number of Cabinet members. The Commissioner will seek further reassurances on the continuation of the regional reform process in Ukraine and progress in the implementation of the provisions concerning regional development in the EU-Ukraine Action Plan will be discussed.

The Commission and the UA authorities are currently launching a major programme in regional development using TACIS funds. Therefore the Commissioner discussed with Ukrainian authorities new venues to promote mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation in the field of regional policy with the objective to establish channels of communication enhancing exchange of information. The reduction of regional imbalances and the improvement of local development - therefore improving local governance - are among the main objectives of the EU-Ukraine Action Plan of 2005.

For further information on European regional policy:

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/index_fr.htm

Contact person:

Ana-Paula Laissy
+32 2 295 32 58

For further information please contact:

The Delegation of the European Commission in Ukraine, Press and Information Section

delegation-ukraine-press@ec.europa.eu

Kyiv, 5 October 2006

On 3 October 2006, the last border sign at the Belarusian-Latvian border was put up at a ceremony held near the conjunction of the border between Belarus, Latvia and Lithuania. The ceremony marked the completion of the demarcation of the border between Belarus and its Baltic neighbours.

The European Commission provided ˆ 3.3 million through the Tacis programme for the demarcation of the 820 km long border (170 km with Latvia, 650 km with Lithuania) between the EU and Belarus. The border has been demarcated in two phases: from May 2002 until April 2003, large part of the border between Belarus and Lithuania was demarcated, and the second phase started in October 2005, focusing on the remaining parts of the border with Latvia.

The ceremony that was held in the village of Karasino, Braslav district, Vitebsk region, and was attended by General Aleksandr Pavlovsky, Chairman of Belarus’ State Border Guard Committee, Ambassador Ian Boag, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine and Belarus, as well as Ambassador of Germany, Martin Hecker who represents EU presidency in Belarus as well as Ambassadors and Chargés d'affaires of the EU missions in Minsk.

In his speech, Ambassador Boag underlined the importance of a good relationship with the European Union's neighbours and stressed the fact that a well demarcated border is a requirement to maintain security in Europe, as it prevents illegal cross- border movements of people and goods.

Ambassador Boag further pointed out that the cooperation between the European Commission and the State Border Guard Committee of Belarus was an indication what kind of cooperation could be possible in other sectors, provided that progress is made by Belarus in applying the fundamental values of the European Neighborhood Policy as democracy, rule of law and human rights.

The European Commission intends to continue its assistance in order to increase the efficiency of the management of border. Plans for future cooperation include a new project aimed at enhancing Border Management in the Republic of Belarus with a contribution of the European Commission to the amount of ˆ 8.8 million, a ˆ 1 million project against human trafficking, which would involve Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine, and a ˆ 6.5 million project on the prevention of drug trafficking.

For further information please contact:

The Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine, Press and Information Section

delegation-ukraine-press@ec.europa.eu

Kiev, October 2, 2006

The EU-funded project “SME Support Services in Priority Regions” is gearing up to initiate the delivery of targeted management training courses in each of its priority regions (Rivne, Zhytomyr and Chernihiv). The first set of management training courses will commence in October, 2006 and will cover such important management topics like Strategic Planning, Business Planning and Marketing. The courses will specifically target SME managers, business owners and private entrepreneurs.

As a result of their participation in these training courses, training participants will be able to:

• Identify the key factors in business success
• Identify the concepts of vision, mission, values, objectives and goals
• Identify the strategic options for a business
• Be able to prepare a Strategic Planning Worksheet
• Understand the various reasons why business plans are required
• Be aware of the requirements of investors
• Know the components of a business plan
• Understand the role of the Marketing Function in the business
• Understand the importance of gathering market information
• Understand the concept of the “4Ps”.

It is anticipated that in each priority region up to 20 experienced SME managers will take part in the training programme and the recruitment of possible training participants is to be finalized very soon.

This first set of management training courses is an integral part of a more comprehensive SME managers’ training programme, which consists of seven modules covering all the main aspects of business management and which will be delivered in its entirety over the course of the project. The format and content of the seven management training modules has been developed by the project based on the wishes expressed by the business communities in each of the three priority regions.

Training participants will receive certificates of Management Training following completion of the training programme.

For more information about Project Management Training please visit Project website www.sme.ukraine-inform.org.ua or contact:

The meeting established foundations for the cooperation in the new field.

The event was jointly managed by the Programme of Assistance for the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking in Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova (BUMAD Programme) and the State Customs Service of Ukraine. It was held on 26-27 September, 2006, in the central office of the State Customs Service in Kiev.

the purpose of the meeting was to reach agreement on creating an international system of information exchange between customs bodies of the Black Sea ports, which should improve efficiency of the fight against smuggling, first of all against drugs trafficking.

The meeting was opened by Ms. Joanna KAZANA-WISNIOWIECKA (United Nations Development Programme Deputy Resident Representative), Mr. Bernhard BOGENSPERGER (the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine Programme Coordinator on issues of asylum, border control, organized crime and terrorism) and Mr. Alexander EGOROV (Head of the Customs Service of Ukraine). Among other participants of the meeting there were representatives of state customs services of Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine, as well as representatives of MARINFO Offices North (Germany) and South (France).

The meeting included discussions on the legal possibilities of the exchange of information between Black Sea ports, its scope, format and means of communication as well as practical measures to establish such an exchange. As a result all participants agreed on the following:

- The Customs Services of the mentioned countries will set up a practical and non-bureaucratic structure for the early exchange of maritime information about seizure data, suspicious shipments, cargo vessels, yachts and modi operandi in order to facilitate the targeting processes of customs services. ^[1]

- The Ukrainian delegation stated that a possibility to host the Focal Point for such a structure in Ukraine will be seriously considered. The financial support will be provided by the BUMAD Programme.

- In order to deal with the practical issues of establishing information exchange system a Working Group will be set up in the early 2007, comprising maritime experts of the participating countries. The main task of the Working Group will consist in elaboration of the rules of procedures and the best practices for the scope, a common format and the means of transmission of information.

All participating countries realise that integration of customs services’ efforts in the region through the rapid and structured exchange of information on drugs trafficking will provide a possibility of timely and high-quality analysis of the traffic flowing via the Black Sea ports. As international experience proves, it is analytical work that allows maintaining a reasonable balance between efficient customs control measures and unconstrained commodity exchange.

The representatives of mass media were invited (including 7 TV channels) to attend the opening of the meeting and a press conference.

The BUMAD Programme is an umbrella programme benefiting Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova. The overall objective of this Programme is to reduce drug trafficking. The Programme adopted a balanced approach addressing interdiction aspects as well as demand reduction and regional co-operation aspects. European Commission provided 2,500,000 EUR for implementation of the Programme for the period of 2,5 years.

For more information, please, visit the Programme’s web-page: http://bumad.un.kiev.ua

^[1] Russian delegation suggested the following “…will consider the possibility…”