President makes a number of foreign policy instructions

As the result of the working meeting of February 9, 2011 dedicated to the question of free trade zones (FTZ) negotiations between Ukraine and the European Union, President Yanukovych has instructed the central executive authorities concerned to make every effort to intensify the negotiation process, so that it was completed within the set deadlines, presidential press office reported.

The instruction orders elaboration of new compromise approaches to speed up the FTZ negotiations with the EU. At the same time, these approaches can be applied only it the EU adequately changes its position on some issues. 

In addition, central executive authorities of Ukraine were commissioned to make an updated analysis of the FTZ negotiations with the European Union. Based on it, the proposals on further steps of the Ukrainian side to speed up the negotiations are to be submitted to the President. 

In order to ensure implementation of agreements reached during the official visit of the President of Ukraine to Japan on January 18-21, 2011, President Yanukovych has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to arrange in 2011 the third meeting of the Ukrainian-Japanese Cooperation Committee at the level of Foreign Ministers. 

In this regard, chiefs of the MFA and other ministries and departments of Ukraine are to take steps to initiate negotiations in the framework of the Committee on the conclusion of international agreements on: promotion and reciprocal protection of investments, cooperation in exploration and use of outer space, establishment of direct flights between Kyiv and Tokyo, cooperation in science, technology and education. 

Moreover, the executive authorities concerned were instructed to: 

• hold the third meeting of the Coordinating Council on Economic Cooperation with Japan and the Committee on Business Cooperation with Ukraine of the Japan Business Federation "Nippon Keidanren"; 
• take measures to expand the list of Ukrainian goods and services exported to Japan; 
• take measures to further develop cooperation with academic centers and universities of Japan, particularly Kyoto University and Tokai University; 
• prepare a comprehensive plan of cultural events for 2011-2012 to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Japan, and discuss with the Japanese side such questions, as tours of the Japanese Kabuki theater in Ukraine, holding Japanese Culture Month in Ukraine and Ukrainian Culture Month in Japan. 

Pursuant to the agreements reached during his working visit to Russia to attend the fourth meeting of the Ukrainian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission, the President of Ukraine has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to complete the coordination of a draft Declaration on Contents of Ukrainian-Russian Strategic Partnership with the Russian side for it to be signed in the framework of the fifth meeting of the Commission. 

In addition, in order to intensify negotiations on the functioning of Russian Black Sea Fleet and its stay on the Ukrainian territory, the President instructed to identify the relevant priorities for 2011 and approve a list of agreements, which require conclusion with the Russian side. 

According to the instructions of the President of Ukraine, the Program of Economic Cooperation between Ukraine and the Russian Federation 2011-2020 is to be prepared for signature. 

The President also instructed elaboration of proposals on the projects that can be implemented jointly by Ukraine and Russia with possible participation of third countries and the European Union, for their further discussion with the Russian side in the framework of sectoral subcommittees of the Committee on Economic Cooperation in the Ukrainian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission. 

To further simplify the procedure of crossing Ukrainian-Russian state border by the inhabitants of border areas of Ukraine and Russia, the Government of Ukraine was requested to prepare a number draft agreements including an Agreement to amend the Agreement between the Governments of Ukraine and the Russian Federation on the Procedure of Ukrainian-Russian Border Crossing by Inhabitants of Border Regions of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and the Agreement on Cooperation in Development of Border Checkpoints at Ukrainian-Russian Border.