News Of September 16, 2006

[stepanstas]

First of, i noticed that 14 people viewed yesterdays news. Its ok to reply guys.

Ukraine harvested 30.1 mln tonnes of grain

According to the operative data, as of the 13th of September Ukraine harvested 30.14 mln tonnes of grains and legumes. It is down 3.3 mln tonnes from the analogue data of the previous year, informed Ministry of Agrarian Policy to APK-Inform.

Grains and legumes were harvested from 12.2 mln ha area (83%). The average yield totals 2.48 tonnes per hectare against 2.61 tonnes per hectare in 2005.

At that 99% of forecasted areas under wheat have been threshed (5.5 mln ha). Gross grain yield totals 14.86 mln tonnes with the average yield - 2.7 tonnes per hectare (in 2005 - 20 mln tonnes with 3.05 tonnes per hectare).

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Mischenko: Ukraine's EU membership inevitable, it's just a matter of when

Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Olexandr Mischenko said that his country's membership in the European Union is inevitable but it's a matter of when, stressing that the possible membership won't hurt relations with Russia.

Speaking to The New Anatolian in an exclusive interview on the 15th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, Ambassador Mischenko said that his country's EU membership depends on preparing Ukraine to fulfill the Union's special conditions.

Stressing that his country's latest presidential elections and the formation of the new coalition government are achievements of democracy and the fruit of 15 years of independence, the Ukrainian ambassador said, "I'm sure that this government and other such governments under rule of coalition agreements have more possibility to fulfill achievements towards European integration because our main tasks from now on are to increase economic potential, implementation of the rule of law, democracy, freedom of the press and attaining stability."

Ambassador Mischenko also thinks that neither his country's membership in the EU nor the growing Russian presence in the Black Sea region will damage Ukrainian-Russian relations, explaining, "Despite differences in the two countries' political courses, if Ukraine becomes a member of the EU or even NATO, Russia will remain our main economic partner. We can't cut our ties with Russia because we need the economic support of Russia."

Here's what the Ukrainian ambassador had to tell us:

See link for full article (too big to post)

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Communists move to abolish presidency in Ukraine

KIEV, September 15 (RIA Novosti) - Ukraine's Communist Party intends to propose in parliament abolishing the presidency on the grounds that it has proved ineffective, the party's press service said Friday.

"The Communist faction will propose abolishing the post of president, which does not correspond to the nation's centuries-long democratic traditions and has hampered state development," leader Petro Symonenko said Friday.

Symonenko said the presidential form of government had proved to be totally ineffective and even harmful in the recent period of Ukraine's modern history. He said a parliamentary republic was the most appropriate option for Ukraine.

"Political reform gave people's deputies the right to form governments, define policies and control government activities with regard to popular vote results," Symonenko said.

Communists have 21 seats in the 450-seat Supreme Rada and are part of the anti-crisis coalition formed in June, along with the Party of Regions, the largest grouping in parliament, and the Socialist Party.

They all signed the national unity pact, proposed by President Viktor Yushchenko, with Our Ukraine group, ending four months of political crisis that followed the March parliamentary elections in the country.

The pro-presidential Our Ukraine faction has been engaged in consultations with the three parties on the possibility of expanding the coalition.

But friction has persisted between the political forces as Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, who is also the leader of pro-Russia Party of Regions, moved to downplay Ukraine's plans to join NATO in Brussels earlier this week, thereby violating the national unity pact.

Western-leaning President Yushchenko has made NATO membership a priority since coming to power following a popular uprising in 2004, but he has met with strong opposition on the issue from pro-Russian political forces and the population at large.

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New co-operation agreement with Ukraine

In Short:

The new Ukrainian prime minister▓s visit to Brussels on 14 September 2006 centred around plans for an enhanced co-operation agreement. Ukraine's plan for joining NATO was put on ice.
Brief News:

On his first visit to Brussels since he took office, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich discussed Ukraine▓s political situation, the prospects for developing bilateral cooperation, cooperation in the areas of energy, as well as the main objectives of the new co-operation agreement.

The Commission on 13 September 2006 proposed negotiating directives for a new agreement with Ukraine, which will extend the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in place. External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner welcomed the proposal for the new agreement and said this would "help reinforce our partnership with Ukraine and bring us closer together by stepping up our co-operation in a wide range of areas".

As a condition for the opening of negotiations on a Free Trade Area, the Commission wants Ukraine to adopt the remaining legislation necessary for its WTO accession. Ukraine started negotiating its membership with the WTO in 1994. Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said "The new agreement will aim to build on Ukraine▓s forthcoming accession to the WTO with an FTA that creates a strong foundation for closer trade and economic relations between the EU and Ukraine."

The proposed negotiating directives will now go to the Council for approval, with a view to beginning negotiations early in 2007.

Following a meeting with NATO's Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Yanukovich said that he preferred to put the plans on hold, due to public scepticism, as well as concerns about Ukraine's relations with Russia. He said "because of the political situation with Ukraine we will now have to take a pause, but the time will come when the decision will be made".

Source


My Top Pick Of The Day


President of Ukraine met UEFA inspectors

Victor Yushchenko has met with inspectors of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) who are visiting Ukraine to decide if it can host the Euro 2012 finals together with Poland.

First Deputy Chief of Staff Ivan Vasyunyk, Youth and Sports Minister Yuriy Pavlenko, Humanitarian Office Head Markiyan Lubkivsky, Boxing Champion Vitaly Klytchko, Ukrainian Football Federation President Grygoriy Surkis, National Olympic Committee President Serhiy Bubka and Euro 2012 Ukraine Executive Committee Head Ivan Fedorenko attended the meeting, the President press office informs.

The President said Ukraine▓s bid to host the 2012 football championship was a large-scale and nationally significant project and promised to work with the government, parliament and the Football Federation as one team to achieve this goal. Mr. Yushchenko added it could help Ukraine make a breakthrough in the context of its European aspirations and build closer ties with Europe.

⌠We understand this is one of the ways for us to communicate with Europe,■ he said.

He also described the bidas a ⌠goodopportunity to unite the efforts of the two countries, Ukraine and Poland.■ Not only are Ukraine and Poland capable of implementing this project but they are also ready to demonstrate their mutual understanding and strategic partnership again, he said.

As far as the country's preparations, the Head of State said Ukraine was aware of the great responsibility and the amount of work to be done to host the event but expressed hope we would be ready on time.

⌠Ukraine is already taking measures aimed at improving its transport, sport and tourist infrastructures, which will enable us to create the best conditions for hosting the Euro 2012 finals,■ he said, assuring the inspectors that all the venues would be renovated in accordance with European standards.

Mr. Yushchenko added that Donetsk and Mariupol could now host the Euro 2009 finals for teenagers.

On May 16, Victor Yushchenko signed a decree to prepare Ukraine as one of the co-bidders to host the Euro 2012 finals.

On May 31, Ukraine and Poland submitted their detailed dossier to the UEFA office.

On December 7, the two countries willhold their presentation for the UEFA Executive Committee, which is expected to announce its final decision soon afterwards.

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