Ten years after the EBRD last held its Annual Meeting in Kiev, the Ukrainian president and prime minister paid tribute to the Bank’s work in helping the country achieve a decade of remarkable economic growth. “The EBRD is a reliable partner,” President Victor Yushenko told the opening session of the Bank’s Board of Governors. “Its decision to hold a meeting in Kiev for a second time is a validation of the reforms and democratic changes and the progress of the judiciary in Ukraine.” [more]

EBRD President Jean Lemierre said on Friday that a stronger Ukraine, bolstered by further reforms, would determine its own independent future and so secure a new relationship with the European Union. Speaking to some 400 students at Kiev’s Shevchenko University ahead at the Bank’s 18-19 May Annual Meeting, Mr Lemierre said Ukraine was doing exceptionally well. It had built a multiparty democracy and there was strong economic growth.  [more]

In London President Victor Yushchenko took part in opening an exhibition “Executed by famine: unknown genocide against Ukrainian nation” dedicated to 75th anniversary of the Great Famine in Ukraine, according to the President`s press-office.  [more]

President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko claims that Ukraine’s eventual joining the NATO Membership Action Plan does not pose any threat to any world countries, including Russia. According to an UNIAN correspondent, the President claimed this, speaking to representatives of British governmental, diplomatic, political, and informational circles in London on Thursday.  [more]

After his meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Victor Yushchenko held press availability on the results of the talks with Mr. Brown. At the event Victor Yushchenko informed journalists about the signature of Joint Statement with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and described it as historical.  [more]

On May 16 of the year 2008, Ukraine became the full-fledged 152nd member of the World Trade Organization. The Protocol on Ukraine’s joining the Marrakech Agreement on creating WTO, ratified by the Verkhovna Rada on April 10 of 2008, joined into force on May 16.  [more]

In spite of record operational indicators European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) net profit last year reduced by 20.84%, according to ABC. EBRD informed last year net profit made EUR 1.9 bn versus EUR 2.4 bn in 2006.  [more]

President Victor Yushchenko took part in London in an official dinner by British-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in his honor, according to the President`s press-office.  [more]

After today’s publication of the Commission’s report on the European Neighbourhood Policy 2007, Elmar Brok MEP, EP Rapporteur on the Enlargement Strategy, sees a high degree of agreement with regard to its future implications. "The report that was submitted by Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner makes it very clear that there is considerable progress within the European Neighbourhood Policy. However, it also shows that the existing instruments of the neighbourhood policy must be extended further", Brok said.  [more]

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 laying down general provisions establishing a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument(1) ,  [more]