28 June 2013
MEDIA RELEASE
UWC concerned with recent statement by G8 leaders
On 28 June 2013, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij issued a letter to high‑ranking European officials expressing concern about the following problematic statement in the Lough Erne G8 Leaders’ Communiqué of 18 June 2013:
We also welcome the trade and economic integration of Russia with some of the countries in the region, which will be pursued in line with World Trade Organisation (WTO) principles. http://bit.ly/1avHOFb
“This statement by G8 leaders appears as an endorsement of trade and economic integration of Russia with Ukraine. If that was indeed the case, this would be a clear contradiction of the existing EU policies supporting the signing of the already initialed EU-Ukraine Association Agreement,” stated Eugene Czolij.
Therefore, the UWC has called for a reconfirmation that the EU:
a) remains firmly committed to the signing of the already initialed EU-Ukraine Association Agreement during the 28-29 November 2013 Third Summit of the Eastern Partnership member countries in Vilnius, Lithuania;
b) does not “welcome” any movement that would see Ukraine obtaining membership in the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia; and
c) considers that Ukraine would not be able to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement if it became a member of the Customs Union.
A letter was also sent today by UWC President Eugene Czolij to President Viktor Yanukovych asking him to cease any movement by Ukraine toward membership in the Russia-dominated Customs Union, which is designed to return Ukraine to the Russian sphere of influence.
Media Contact: Irene Mycak
UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS
145 Evans Ave., Suite 207
Toronto, ONM8Z 5X8 Canada
Tel. (416) 323-3020
Fax (416) 323-3250
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.ukrainianworldcongress.org
The UWC is the international coordinating body for Ukrainian communities in the diaspora representing the interests of over 20 million Ukrainians. The UWC has member organizations in 33 countries and ties with Ukrainians in 14 additional countries. Founded in 1967 as a non-profit corporation, the UWC was recognized in 2003 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with special consultative status.
