U.S.-Ukraine Foundation President, Nadia McConnell began today's meeting with an overview of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation's work, which was followed by Ambassador Taylor's introductory remarks.
Ambassador William Green Miller, Co-Chair of the Coalition for a Secure and Democratic Ukraine, and Mark Levin, NCSJ Executive Director spoke about the Coalition's planned work. With over 30 representatives of member and potential member organizations present at the meeting, issues such as promoting the U.S. Congress-Verkhovna Rada partnership, supporting Ukraine's integration into the Euro-Atlantic community, and promoting Ukraine's market reform, democratic development, as well as encouraging Ukraine's energy efficiency were discussed, the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation Issue 2006.18 reported.
The Coalition for a Secure and Democratic Ukraine has been created to support steps to further strengthen U.S.-Ukraine relations. Co-chaired by Ambassadors Steven Pifer and William Green Miller, former U.S. Ambassadors to Ukraine, the Coalition will build on the success of the Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition.
Member organizations in the Coalition for a Secure and Democratic Ukraine include the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, NCSJ, SigmaBleyzer, Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, Ukrainian-American Environmental Association, The Bleyzer Foundation, and the Ukrainian Federation of America. The Coalition intends to engage on an array of issues. It has assigned early priority to promoting the establishment of a closer institutional relationship between the U.S. Congress and Ukraine’s parliament (the Rada). Such a link will promote interaction and mutual understanding between the two legislative branches. The Coalition also will work to foster the integration of a democratic, market-oriented Ukraine into the Euro- Atlantic community.
The Coalition for a Secure and Democratic Ukraine is the successor to the Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition, which promoted Ukraine’s removal from the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik amendment and extension of permanent normal trade relations status to Ukraine. By March 2006, when Congress passed legislation to accomplish this, the Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition had faxed, e-mailed, and delivered nearly one thousand letters to Congress, met with members of Congress and key Congressional staff, held a press conference on Capitol Hill, wrote numerous newspaper articles, and mobilized countless constituents throughout the United States to contact their Congressional representatives. The Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition represented more than 250 businesses and Ukrainian-American, Jewish- American and other non-governmental organizations.
The Coalition for a Secure and Democratic Ukraine looks forward to further actions to strengthen the bilateral partnership between the United States and Ukraine.
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