Categories: General
      Date: Dec 22, 2008
     Title: Foreign Affairs
Ukraine and USA Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement


By Oleg Lavrentyev, Nova Mova International Program Manager, from Internet sources.

The Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Volodymyr Ogryzko and the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signed a strategic partnership agreement between their two countries on 19 November.  The signing ceremony was held at the U.S. Department of State in Washington during Ogryzko’s official visit to the United States.

The agreement marks an important step in bilateral relations between Ukraine and the United States and emphasizes areas such as defense and security, economy, trade, energy, democracy and cultural exchange. One stated feature of the agreement is a plan for the United States to establish a diplomatic mission in the Crimean city of Simferopol for the purpose of providing information and assistance.

Also included in the agreement, or charter, is a stated intent by the United States to strengthen relations with Ukraine and support its eventual membership in the North American Treaty Organization (NATO).  Secretary Rice called the charter a “statement of U.S. intent to intensify our engagement with Ukraine” and said that the U.S. supports Ukraine’s integration into all Euro-Atlantic structures.”  Foreign Minister Ogryzko called the document very important for the future of Ukraine.

"This is a very important document because it summarizes our efforts during the past year,” Ogryzko said, “but it also has a very important dimension for our future. I would like to call your attention to the areas in this document that address defense, security, the economy, human rights, increased importance to cultural and people-to-people contacts and also the presence of the United States in Ukraine, in particular the Crimea."

The charter outlines a number of areas in which the U.S. will assist Ukraine, a notable area being increased military cooperation, mainly through equipment and training.  The charter does not include any binding agreement for direct military assistance.