The President of Ukraine takes personal control of Ukrainian-German relations

German orientation of the external policy of Ukraine will be under personal control of the President of Ukraine as Ukrainian-German cooperation is an urgent issue, Oleksandr Chalyi, a Deputy Chief of Staff, revealed Wednesday at a briefing.

During Yushchenko’s visit to Germany on October 3-4, his meeting with the German Chancellor was failed to take place by technical reasons. Although the recent phone conversation between the high authorities was warm and lasted 45 minutes, Chalyi stated. In particular, the President hailed reforms proposed by Ms Merkel for implementation in the Eu. Ukraine is interested in partnership with Germany, especially, regarding its Eastern European policy.

“Regarding the coming German presidency in the European Council and G8, its foreign orientation of policy will draw special attention of President Yushchenko,” stressed the Deputy Chief of Staff.

According to Chalyi, two leaders exchanged views regarding the preparation to high level group work which will take place on October 19-20. Besides, Victor Yushchenko and Angela Merkel reached an agreement on visit of large business-delegation headed by German Chancellor in the beginning of the next year.

President of Ukraine and German Chancellor addressed the issue related to the regular Ukrainian-German high level consultations which consider to be held in Ukraine. The Foreign Ministers of two countries were commissioned to work out the format and agenda of the consultations. Ms Merkel proposed to hold it in the second half of 2007 in connection with German presidency in the Eu.

CHalyi also reported that President Yushchenko had informed German Chancellor about Ukraine’s interest in elaboration of new full-scale Ukraine-Eu agreement which would provide for real opportunities for Ukraine to get integrated in the European economic, legal and security area.

Concluding, Deputy Chief of Staff Chalyi stated that during the phone conversation, the President of Ukraine raised a question about renewal of three-power negotiations regarding the gas-transport consortium creation. “Let’s wait for German signal now,” summed up Oleksandr Chalyi.