Tarasyuk discusses 1998, reveals 1999 plans

Eastern Economist

KYIV - Foreign Affairs Minister Borys Tarasiuk, speaking on December 29, 1998, discussed major developments in 1998 and pointed to several key events coming up in 1999.

He said the worldwide financial and economic crisis of last year will significantly cut trade turnover between Ukraine and other countries. He called the world financial crisis the "1998 event with the most impact on Ukraine."

He noted that Ukraine was unable to resolve the issue of associate membership in the European Union in 1998. He also pointed to a lack of attention to developing relations with African, Asian and Latin American countries. Regarding Ukraine's role in the Commonwealth of Independent States, Mr. Tarasyuk said the organization is now in a state of crisis, and this should be taken into account when a decision is made on joining the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

The foreign affairs minister pointed to two important events in 1999 pertaining to Ukraine's position in the Central-East European region: the summit of Central European governments in Lviv in May, and the meeting of presidents of the Black Sea Economic Council in Crimea.

Mr. Tarasyuk also said he plans to visit Argentina, Brazil and Chile in 1999. President Leonid Kuchma's first official visit to Sweden is also scheduled for this year. The presidents of Mexico, Kazakstan and Turkmenistan, and Canada's prime minister are currently scheduled to visit Ukraine in 1999.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, January 10, 1999, No. 2, Vol. LXVII

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