FOR THE RECORD: Joint statement issued during Kyiv visit of U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright (03/22/98)

FOR THE RECORD

Joint statement issued during Kyiv visit
of U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

Following is the full text of the joint statement issued by the United States and Ukraine following the Kyiv visit of U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright. The text was released on March 10 by the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington.

The secretary of state of the United States, Madeleine K. Albright, visited Kyiv on March 6, for discussions with the president of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, and the foreign minister of Ukraine, Hennadii Udovenko. They reviewed the broad range of U.S.-Ukrainian relations, including political, economic, commercial and security issues.

The discussions were held in an atmosphere of the highest mutual respect and cooperation. The secretary, president and foreign minister expressed deep satisfaction with the development of the strategic partnership between the United States and Ukraine, and noted the sides' common intention to further develop the bilateral relationship to the fullest extent of its potential.

The sides held fruitful discussions on the further integration of Ukraine into Euro-Atlantic institutions and reviewed progress on Ukraine's cooperation with NATO under the auspices of the NATO-Ukraine Charter on a Distinctive Partnership.

The sides discussed the critical importance of structural and regulatory reform, and deregulation for the revitalization of Ukraine's economy. They reviewed the importance of a positive investment and business climate in Ukraine and agreed that further effort is needed to protect the rights of investors and businesses operating in Ukraine. In this regard, the Ukrainian side expressed its determination to implement fully procedures to bring greater transparency to regulatory, taxation and customs procedures, recognizing that these are essential steps for improving conditions for business and economic growth. In recognition of the particular attention the sides have devoted to resolving the disputes of American investors, the Ukrainian side agreed to accelerate this process and to review progress on this issue with the U.S. side by the beginning of April 1998.

Acknowledging the fruitful nature of their cooperation and the mutual benefits derived therefrom, the sides agreed on the importance of conducting regular consultations on non-proliferation, counter-terrorism and regional security issues.

On the equally important questions of bilateral technological cooperation and non-proliferation, the sides took great satisfaction in the understandings reached on a number of important measures. The sides agreed that these understandings represent a significant step forward for bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and Ukraine, and will enable them to work together even more closely on their shared goals.

To implement their common understandings and objectives, the United States and Ukraine:

- Reaffirmed their strong and shared interest in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, missiles capable of their delivery, and of related equipment and technology. In particular, they recognized the importance of effective control on the export of such equipment and technology as an essential part of their shared commitment to non-proliferation. On the basis of their strategic partnership and these shared interests and objectives, the two sides:

Agreed on the need for responsible policies regarding nuclear cooperation with their countries.
Reached a bilateral agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation, which will open the door to cooperation between the United States and Ukraine in the nuclear field, including in assisting Ukraine in the development of diversified sources of nuclear fuel.
Plan to convene, in the near future, a conference on U.S.-Ukrainian nuclear trade and cooperation, which will facilitate the exchange of information and ideas on commercial nuclear technologies and opportunities.
Agreed that the cause of missile non-proliferation would be best served by Ukraine's membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). To that end, the United States indicated that it has no reservations regarding Ukrainian membership in the MTCR, and that the United States supported immediate Ukrainian membership in the MTCR.

- Foresaw, as a result of Ukrainian membership in the MTCR:

An expansion in mutually beneficial space cooperation, performed in a manner consistent with the countries' arms control and non-proliferation commitments.
Expanded cooperation between the two countries' space agencies, including exploration of opportunities for joint research on the International Space Station and in the fields of telemedicine, telecommunications and remote sensing, and in the development of space technology.
The prospect that launches of U.S. commercial satellites on Ukrainian rockets would not be constrained by quotas.

- Agreed on non-proliferation and export control procedures to protect MTCR-controlled technology transferred by Ukraine to the United States in the course of the Sea Launch commercial space cooperation project.

- Agreed that, because effective export controls are essential to the fulfillment of their shared non-proliferation commitments, the sides would continue and expand their export control cooperation, including the installation in Ukraine of an automated export licensing system.

Realizing the significance for Ukraine in broadening the possibilities for Ukrainian enterprises, the U.S. side indicated it will soon send an investment exploratory mission to the Kharkiv region to investigate prospects for U.S. investment and business ventures. The sides have agreed to work on establishing this year a program in Kharkiv to support small businesses and create jobs.

The U.S. side declared that, through the Department of Defense, it is prepared to offer technical assistance to the government of Ukraine in the following areas: (1) methodologies on military base closures; (2) privatization of services on military bases that are to remain operational (for example, vehicle maintenance facilities); (3) local economic adjustments in communities affected by defense downsizing as a result of base closures or closing of defense enterprises; and (4) establishing a Ukrainian program office for economic adjustment.

Recognizing the continued importance of the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU) to supporting critical research and development activities in Ukraine and to providing professional opportunities for Ukrainian defense scientists and engineers, the United States will seek to increase its funding in 1998 for the STCU program to $6 million.

The sides emphasized that the secretary's visit reflects the growing mutual understanding and cooperation between the United States and Ukraine. They agreed these results will contribute to the success of the next session of the Gore-Kuchma Commission in Kyiv this year.

Kyiv, March 6, 1998

For the United States of America:
Madeleine K. Albright
Secretary of State

For Ukraine:
Hennadiy Udovenko
Foreign Minister