Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he proposes to promote and extend better relations between the Ukraine and the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42344/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Relations between the EU and Ukraine have developed in recent years on a number of fronts. At a Summit in September 2008, it was agreed to begin negotiations on a new EU-Ukraine Association Agreement to replace the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. These negotiations have made substantial progress. Ukraine has also been an active participant in the EU's new Eastern Partnership initiative, which aims to enhance relations with our Eastern neighbours. As the Deputy may be aware, the next EU-Ukraine Summit will take place in Kiev on 4 December 2009. The agenda items for the EU-Ukraine Summit in December are expected to include: (i) the financial and economic crisis; (ii) climate change and energy; (iii) internal developments in Ukraine; (iv) internal developments in the EU; (v) EU-Ukraine relations; (vi) Eastern Partnership and (vii) international issues.

Ukraine has been hit particularly badly by the global economic downturn. The European Commission has been examining ways in which it can help Ukraine deal with the economic crisis. The European Commission has also helped Ukraine secure financing to reform its gas sector with the aim of promoting stability and avoiding another gas dispute with Russia. This is not just a domestic matter for Ukraine but has wider repercussions for the EU, and some of its member States in particular, as we witnessed last winter. Ireland supports the development of the EU-Ukraine relationship and welcomes the progress made on the new Association Agreement. We believe that it is important that the EU continues to engage and assist Ukraine in dealing with the effects of the economic crisis. We support the Eastern Partnership initiative, the launch of which the Taoiseach attended in Prague in May 2009.

Ireland's bilateral relationship with Ukraine has also developed in recent years. During a visit to Dublin in February 2006, the then Ukrainian Foreign Minister signed Memoranda of Understanding on the holding of regular high level political consultations (two rounds of which have since taken place), as well as in the fields of education and culture. Negotiations continue on concluding a Double Taxation Agreement. In 2007, Ireland contributed €1 million to a civil service reform project which is being run in conjunction with UNDP and the Central Civil Service Department of Ukraine.