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Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence debate -
Thursday, 22 Jun 2017

Situation in Ukraine: Mrs. Olena Shaloput

I extend a warm welcome to Mrs. Olena Shaloput, chargé d'affaires, and her colleague, Mrs. Iryna Sokoloska, third secretary, Embassy of Ukraine to the meeting, which gives members an opportunity to hear of the current situation in the Ukraine. The format of the meeting is that we will hear Mrs. Shaloput's opening statement before going into a question and answer session with members.

Before we begin I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they can cause interference, even in silent mode, with the recording equipment in this committee room.

The meeting is also being broadcast live on Oireachtas TV.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I now call on Mrs. Shaloput to make her presentation.

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

I thank the Chairman and committee members for their genuine interest in Ukraine, in current developments and its prospects, as well as the efforts to restore peace and stability in my country. Above all, I thank them for their support in solidarity with Ukraine.

Since 2014 my country has fought against foreign military aggression. It is not a civil war or a guerrilla war; it is nothing but aggression shown by Russia in the occupation of part of Ukraine, Crimea, and its invasion of certain parts of Ukraine in the Donetsk and Luhansk region. Since the aggression began, more than 9,800 Ukrainian citizens have been killed, 23,000 have been wounded and 1.8 million have become internally displaced. Over 7% of Ukrainian territory has been seized by Russia and millions of Ukrainian citizens live under occupation.

At the same time we have not witnessed political will in the Kremlin to implement even the basic provisions of the Minsk agreements. Moreover, this year Russia has intentionally escalated the security, economic and humanitarian situation in Donbas. Steps such as imposing a visa tax on Avdiivka and Krasnogorovka, recognition of so-called documents issued by the terrorist organisations, the circulation of Russian roubles as the only currency and the illegal expropriation of Ukrainian assets and property have led to the crippling of all four thematic tracks of the Minsk agreements.

The formula of a peace settlement is simple and clear. Russia needs to stop shooting, withdraw weapons, set our captives free and let the OSCE monitoring mission carry out its mandate. Did it do everything it could with this formula? Did it withdraw weapons from our territory? Sadly, I believe I know the answers to these questions. Instead, the situation on the ground remains tense and volatile.

All previous agreements to provide for a comprehensive ceasefire were neglected by Russia. For example, from 1 April to 15 June this year, 3,849 ceasefire violations against Ukraine were registered. Ukraine's combat death toll is shocking. Between 1 January and 15 January this year, 115 servicemen were killed in action and 853 wounded. At the same time the civilian population remains highly vulnerable. From 1 January to 15 June this year, the OSCE SMM confirmed that there had been double the number of civilian casualties compared with the number for the same period last year. Since the beginning of the year, 47 civilians have been killed and 222 wounded. Moreover, the militants continue to shell buildings and infrastructural facilities. In April and May they shelled 47 and 39, respectively, which resulted in damage to buildings and facilities, but the sustained attacks would not be possible without logistical support. The uncontrolled segment of the Ukraine-Russia border remains the source of escalation on the ground and inflows of weaponry and military personnel from Russia into Donbas persist. Since 1 January, 125 illegal crossings of the said part of the border were registered. Some 66 so-called humanitarian convoys were sent to my country.

At the same time, to hide the violation of the Minsk agreements, the terrorists significantly restrict the freedom of movement of the monitors. The mission has already this year reported at least 20 incidents of intimidation of its monitors by militants. The tragic death in April of a member of the OSCE SMM patrol and the injuring of two monitors in the non-government controlled area in the Luhansk region was a cynical attempt by the Russian terrorist forces to undermine the efforts of Ukraine and the OSCE to stabilise the situation along the contact line.

Another shocking incident happened in May when a member of an illegal organisation in the Donetsk region resorted to aggressive sexual harassment of a female member of the SMM patrol. Just a few days ago, on 10 June, the OSCE SMM reported that militants armed with machine guns had fired in the direction of OSCE patrol cars, attempted to enter the cars, threatened the observers with weapons and smashed the glass of a car.

Two main principles, immediate release and the use of the all-for-all formula, are totally ignored by Russia and its proxies. Currently, the militants detain 129 hostages. Despite Russia's commitment to put additional pressure on the militants to let the humanitarian organisation, the International Committee of the Red Cross, into the region, the situation on the ground remains tense. We have not seen even the slightest change. For example, this year the International Committee of the Red Cross has conducted 35 visits to 25 places under the control of Ukraine and only one to a place in the uncontrolled territory of Donbas. All of this tension, with ongoing Russian efforts to build up its military infrastructure along Ukraine's eastern state border and in the temporarily occupied Crimea, create a new risk of the full-scale resumption of hostilities and may serve as cover for preparation for a possible full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

In the past year we have consistently demonstrated that we are ready to move forward towards implementation of the Minsk agreements. Even with the constant provocations by Russian terrorist forces, the armed forces of Ukraine follow the regime of silence and open fire only in response. On the political track, Ukraine demonstrates commitment and constructiveness as much as possible, but a political settlement is only possible if Russia provides adequate security preconditions.

A political settlement will not make any sense as long as we have constant shelling, Russian troops and mercenaries on Ukrainian soil, Russian weapons in Ukraine and no control over our border.

Before coming to the next issue, I express my sincere gratitude to Ireland and all those countries which supported the resolution adopted last December on human rights in the autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Since the start of the occupation, the human rights situation on the peninsula has deteriorated sharply and we have witnessed murders, torture and illegal detention. The Russian authorities use such methods to eliminate any public opposition to the illegal occupation of Crimea. Particularly cynical was its decision to ban the Mejlis on the false accusations of engaging in extremist activities. Such a decision potentially threatens approximately 3,000 members of Mejlis structures. Approximately 4,000 Ukrainians and 20,000 Crimean Tatars were forced to leave the peninsula and Russia has more than 29 political prisoners in occupied Crimea. Ukraine filed a lawsuit against Russia at the International Court of Justice which, as a result, on 19 April, recognised the validity of Ukraine's claims and ordered Russia to take measures to stop violations of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. With regard to the situation in Crimea, the court ordered Russia to refrain from maintaining or imposing restrictions on the ability of the Crimean Tatar community to maintain its representative institutions, including the Mejlis, and to ensure the availability of education in the Ukrainian language. Ukraine will spare no effort in urging Russia to show full compliance with its obligations as an occupying power according to international law and to ensure safe and unfettered access for international human rights missions to the occupied peninsula to monitor and report on the situation in accordance with their mandate.

Another issue is the militarisation of Crimea. After the illegal occupation, the militarisation of the peninsula has completely changed the security landscape. Compared to the preoccupation period, Russia has almost doubled the personnel strength of its military in Crimea. Particularly dangerous are Russian actions to prepare Crimea's military infrastructure for the deployment of nuclear weapons. International partners and key global organisations, as well as regional organisations, should develop a co-ordinated approach to counter Russian military activity in Crimea. Solidarity and consistency in the international policy of non-recognition of the illegal occupation of Crimea are very important. Of particular importance are sanctions. We welcome the recent decision of the Foreign Affairs Council to extend by 12 months its restrictive measures. We expect economic sanctions against Russia to be extended without substantial changes in July this year since we have had no single ground so far to reduce them.

Ukraine has to oppose Russian aggression and at the same time reform itself. We have strengthened democracy and the rule of law. Law and justice are supreme in post-Maidan Ukrainian society. The state is undergoing unprecedented reform in the area of justice and law enforcement. A network of specialised institutions to combat corruption has been created and the unique e-declaration system of assets, income and property of public employees was introduced. The scale of this measure is unprecedented, even in European practice. We initiated a clean-up of the banking system and have made good progress in deregulation that significantly eases the registration of business. As a result, we climbed 32 positions in the World Bank's ease of doing business rating. We have taken hard but important decisions in the energy sector which have led to Ukraine's energy independence from the use of Russian gas supplies. Not many countries in the world have experienced making so many positive changes in such a limited time span.

Starting this month, Ukrainian citizens can enter the European Union, Norway, Lichtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland without a visa. In that regard, we highly appreciate Irish support during the vote in the European Parliament. We hope that at an early date Ireland will cancel the visa regime for Ukraine. For our part, we have already done so. We are grateful to Ireland, despite its own challenges, for standing firmly by Ukraine's side in its fight against foreign aggression.

I thank Mrs. Shaloput who has outlined in some detail the very difficult situation facing her country and what has been happening in recent years. Of course, the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected, but that is not happening. Mrs. Shaloput mentioned the humanitarian situation. Are there serious humanitarian issues, including the need to directly assist people generally throughout the country or in particular regions?

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

Is the Chairman referring to the humanitarian situation in Crimea?

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

International human rights missions have no access to Crimea. According to the resolution agreed to in December, Crimea was recognised as an occupied territory. The resolution urged Russia to allow access to all international human rights missions to exercise their mandate over the entire territory of Ukraine, including Crimea. Therefore, we have information on the human rights situation in Crimea from some non-governmental organisations, but it is rather restricted.

I welcome Mrs. Shaloput and thank her for her presentation which highlighted for us the reality on the ground. It is not quite a forgotten conflict, but it is frozen in one regard. The figures Mrs. Shaloput has given for ongoing violations of the ceasefire and ongoing deaths are of great concern to the committee. We fully support the territorial integrity of Ukraine. As the Chairman knows, we have in the past criticised and condemned and will continue to do so any country's incursions into the sovereign territory of another country which has certainly happened in the Donbass region and Crimea.

The European Union has taken a very strong line on this issue. What is Mrs. Shaloput's view on the potential to restart the Minsk peace process? A lot of detail was put into the agreement. What is her view on the willingness of all sides, namely, the separatists in Donbass, the Russian Government and the Ukrainian Government, to move to try to resolve the crisis?

Is it a case like Abkhazia or South Ossetia in that Russian wants a foothold in Ukraine for a long time into the future? Is there any prospect of a solution here?

It is important to ask about one charge which has been laid against the Ukrainian Government relating to the rights of ethnic Russians in Ukraine to education through Russian and religious freedom. I ask the witness to use this opportunity to address that also. Reforms are happening in Ukraine, which is also very important for us. We respect fully everyone's right to his or her own national identity. In Ukraine, there is a substantial ethnic Russian population. The witness referred to the Crimean Tartars with whose situation we are familiar. It is something that has recurred in history over the centuries. The figure of up to 40,000 Ukrainians and 20,000 Crimean Tartars having left Crimea was mentioned.

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

More than 20,000.

What is the next step in trying to resolve this, in particular in the Donbass region? How will the ethnic Russians there become part of Ukraine again? There were local elections due regarding an element of autonomous regional government which might allow them to come back into the national Ukrainian parliamentary system. How will that evolve?

Ms Shaloput is very welcome. I thank her for the very clear presentation. I agree entirely with what the Chairman and Deputy O'Brien have said. We are very concerned about the situation in Ukraine and fully support on the committee the national sovereignty of Ms Shaloput's country and its territorial integrity. Individually and as a committee, we have questioned the Russian ambassador here about his country's invasion, its illegal annexation of Crimea and its support for the separatists in the Donbass region. We have been highly critical of Russian intervention and aggression in the region. We are conscious of other countries like Georgia and their concerns about the spread of Russian dominance.

I have three specific questions about how we can assist Ukraine to make progress. With the Minsk process stalled or frozen and persistent violations of the ceasefire, how can the EU and individual member states like Ireland support the peace process? Ukraine is calling in particular for the strengthening of sanctions. Can Ms Shaloput outline how the strengthening of sanctions might support developments in the peace process?

There is a great deal of concern about the safety of monitors in the region and the incident in April in which an American monitor was killed while two others were injured. These are monitors with the special monitoring mission. What can we do to enhance the safety of monitors in the region? Clearly, there is a need for NGOs and organisations like the OSCE to be able to send people there in safely.

Ukrainian visitors and delegations have come to Ireland to study our peace process. How can we help Ukraine from an Irish perspective to further its process, having been through peace process negotiations here?

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

On the prospects for a peaceful settlement in Donbass, Ukraine remains committed to the implementation of the Minsk agreements in their entirety. The Minsk agreements are the only option for the peaceful settlement on the table. We are keen to unlock the political process but that is if Russia implements the security provisions of the Minsk agreements. I am convinced that a political settlement is possible if adequate security pre-conditions are provided by Russia.

Speaking of how people from the Donetsk and Lugansk regions will integrate into our society, we have no problem with Russian-speaking people. My mother is Russian and she speaks fluent Russian with no problems. She does not feel any restrictions in Ukraine. These are our people in the Donetsk and Lugansk region. The only simple solution is for Russia to take its weapons, militants and regular and irregular forces from our territory. We were living very peacefully before. We have never had such problems with our people inside our country, including Tartars, Russians and Ukrainians. That is the answer to how we can live together in peace. We were already doing so.

As to how to help with the Minsk process, I am a diplomat and want to resolve all problems diplomatically. The most important thing today is sanctions. Russian people are tied to everything we have now, including our privations. Simple Russian people want to live in a prosperous state and to have free movement around the world. They are interested in this piece. That is why sanctions are the most important thing today.

I was asked how we can save the monitors. That also depends on Russia because there are no accidents with SMM monitors in the territory under the control of Ukraine. All of these incidents, including the one two days ago, happened in uncontrolled territory. We have no influence in this territory but Russia does. Russia can influence its proxies.

As to the Irish experience, the former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, visited Ukraine last year and shared his experience of how to resolve conflict. It was very useful for us. We appreciate Ireland's current support in the European institutions and at a bilateral level. We need common solidarity. Only together can we overcome the problem we have.

I apologise for missing the beginning of Ms Shaloput's presentation. It is good that she is here today because this is one of the issues that is falling further and further off the radar of interest and concern.

I have a couple of questions. One is about the effect of the sanctions on their country and the Crimea. How hopeful is Mrs. Shaloput regarding the approaching EU summit in Kiev on 12-13 July? To go back to the monitoring issue, how effective is it that the OSCE is involved in this monitoring? Is it a force for change and positive change?

The witnesses are very welcome. I have a number of questions. Mrs. Shaloput might not be able to answer some of them. They are possibly outside the remit of her paper this morning. Like others, I am concerned about the continued fighting in the region and the cessation or ceasefire that clearly does not seem to be happening. It is clear from her figures that demilitarisation does not seem to be happening. The big question that we all have relates to this log-jam. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked about the upcoming summit. Does Mrs. Shaloput have confidence in terms of some sort of structure or that people will become serious about this process and will try to come up with some sort of solution in relation to it? She said that the Ukrainian Government is committed to the process, but is she optimistic about this summit? Does she believe that something can break the log-jam?

According to a UN report in March, it was estimated that at least 9,940 people were killed and 23,455 wounded between mid-April 2014 and mid-March 2017. In Mrs. Shaloput's opinion, what has caused the recent flare-ups and the violations of the ceasefires? Is there something triggering it? Is it part of this process of just slowly trying to wear people down?

The witnesses mentioned the OSCE's special monitoring mission. How many of them are operating in the region? Am I right to say that their task is to observe and report in an impartial and objective manner the situation in Ukraine and to facilitate dialogue among all parties to the crisis? Is that dialogue among all those groups and parties to the conflict happening? How important is it that the special monitoring mission continues to operate in the region? How important is it for the Ukrainian Government? Mrs. Shaloput spoke about the restriction of movement of the monitors. She might expand on what is happening. She said that shots were fired and that there was sexual harassment and so on. What other restrictions are there? Are they limited to a particular area or can they travel around the region?

On landmines, could Mrs. Shaloput provide the committee with an update on the de-mining process? As part of this demilitarisation that was supposed to be going on, how many mines have been removed from the witnesses' own side? How many were removed from the other side? Do we have any figures in relation to that? I am conscious that the witnesses may have come in here without those figures, but it would be useful to get a sense of it. We have seen how devastating mines can be to civilians long after wars.

Mrs. Shaloput gave an inventory of some of the weaponry that has been brought into the region. What is the narrative from the Russian side in relation to these weapons that are in the hands of the rebels? Are they buying them on the international market? What are they saying? How are these weapons supposed to be landing in these regions?

Another area concerns refugees. I understand that the conflict has displaced between 2 million and 3 million people. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at least 1.6 million Ukrainians moved west towards the Ukranian capital, Kiev, as a result of the righting. Russia says that 2.6 million Ukrainians moved east. What is the Ukrainian Government doing to assist refugees? Is Ukraine receiving support from the international community to provide these refugees with humanitarian support and so on? Is there anything Ireland or, in particular, the EU can do on it?

I have a question that is outside the parameters of this meeting, but the Chairman will guide me. I wish to ask about South Sudan. I do not know if Mrs. Shaloput can comment on that. There are disturbing reports about Ukraine's connection to the war in South Sudan. Thousands have died in the war, 100,000 people are on the brink of starvation and 1 million are in danger of starvation, yet reports state that Ukraine has signed a $33 million contract to sell Mi-24 attack helicopters to forces loyal to Salva Kiir, the South Sudanese President. The UN Security Council revealed that the contract was signed long after the war on South Sudan broke out in 2013. Mrs. Shaloput might come back to me on it, but according to a leading UN investigator the helicopters are being used to target civilians. They have been reportedly used against the International Committee of the Red Cross hospital. Is Mrs. Shaloput aware of this? Is Ukraine still committed to the arms embargo placed on South Sudan? If it is, why is it clearly breaking it?

The other controversial area I wish to raise - I do not think anyone has touched on it - is the emergence of the far-right in Europe. It has been raised many times in this committee. I am particularly concerned with this within Ukraine. Some armed militias in Ukraine have been known to use Nazi and neo-Nazi insignia and so on and to propagate far-right ideology. There was concern about some of the people that were appointed to Government and so on. One could say that they were elected and so on, but they were put in important security roles within the Ukrainian Government? What is the Ukrainian Government doing to tackle these neo-Nazi militias? Mrs. Shaloput might speak about why there seems to be such a growth in that regard. Thankfully, in Ireland we have not seen that happening, but it has happened right across Europe. It is clear that it is happening in Ukraine as well. Mrs. Shaloput might give us her view on why this is happening.

If Mrs. Shaloput does not have information to hand regarding the South Sudan issue that Deputy Crowe raised, she might communicate with the committee at a later date on that particular issue.

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

I do not have information about Sudan. However, if it is of interest I will make a request and can supply the committee with information concerning the Sudan.

On the other issues that have been raised------

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

Deputy O'Sullivan's first question concerned the effectiveness of the sanctions. I have already stated that this is currently the only effective instrument to influence Russia and to force Russia to commit to its obligations within the Minsk agreement as well as under international law. We hope that during the EU summit in July the sanctions will be extended and that there will be substantial changes. We would greet the strengthening of these sanctions. The sanctions are the only way to keep Russia within its limits.

What was Deputy O'Sullivan's next question?

I was asking about the OSCE's monitoring mission and how effective it was.

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

I apologise. The monitoring mission is absolutely effective, but it is restricted in its freedom of movement. It cannot be present everywhere because militants do not allow it. Therefore, there are many incidents on the ground in the uncontrolled areas of Ukraine. We hope monitors will now be allowed to monitor and watch over all of the Ukrainian-Russian border because this is the only way Russia can supply weapons, military troops and so on. I state in my report that there were 125 registered illegal crossings of our border. At the same time, Russia continues to supply so-called humanitarian convoys, at which our authorities have no presence. They cannot observe what is in them.

I was asked what was optimistic about the process. We must be optimistic about it, but, unfortunately, the conflict is ongoing, although we do our best to realise our commitments under the Minsk agreements. We are open to talks in any format as we wish to resolve the issue and restore peace in our country. We have a war on the territory of my country, not Russia's, and are very interested in its peaceful settlement.

I was asked my opinion on the causes of deaths. The committee will be aware that the OSCE special monitoring mission reported the effects of violations of the ceasefire regime. The report shows that in the period from 1 January until 15 July, 3,849 violations were registered from the uncontrolled side. Therefore, there is a big death toll. Of course, we are interested in stopping all of the violence because among them are deaths of our people.

How does Mrs. Shaloput see the peace process moving forward? She mentioned the summit, but are there other channels, including back channels? Is there ongoing discussion? In her report she refers to hostages and prisoners. Are there ongoing discussions about this issue?

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

According to the formal all-for-all principle, the exchange of hostages is one of the tracks of the Minsk agreements. Unfortunately, however, Russia neglected to discuss the exchange of people because it was not interested in it. It would first prefer us to provide for elections on that territory and only then discuss such points as the exchange of hostages.

What about de-mining? Does Mrs. Shaloput have figures?

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

Yes. We have a list of 408 missing people and 129 hostages, as well as 29 persons detained in Crimea and 13 in Russia.

What about refugees?

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

Our statics show that there are 1.8 million people internally displaced. About 2 million more are displaced in Russia. They go there mostly because they have relatives there and places where they can live.

I want to intervene because I have been listening to Deputy Seán Crowe's question our guest, Mrs. Shaloput, and it seems he is interrogating her somewhat, particularly on matters that are not really related to what we are discussing.

That is over the top. The Senator says I am interrogating her, but I am asking questions and not getting answers.

With respect-----

I said to Mrs. Shaloput that if there were issues on which she wanted to come back to the committee, she should communicate with it on-----

We invited her to talk about the situation in Ukraine. She is talking to us about the clearly established human rights violations committed by Russia against her country. I do not believe it is appropriate to go into other matters such as what is happening in South Sudan and so on.

I understand President Macron has taken a particular interest in the serious difficulties facing Mrs. Shaloput's country. Does she see his leadership and interest giving momentum to the peace process?

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

I am sure he will give a first life, as well as an impetus, to the process. As the committee will be aware, yesterday there was a meeting in Minsk at which the sides agreed to hold a telephone conversation of their leaders using the Normandy format later in June.

On another issue which, again, is one of our concerns, I understand the Irish authorities have been making intensive efforts to try to agree to certification which would potentially open the lucrative Ukrainian market to Irish beef, pork and dairy products. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is considering draft veterinary certificates which would allow the export of these products to Ukraine. Obviously, they would have to meet the requirements of Ukraine's deep and comprehensive free trade area agreement with the European Union. As Mrs. Shaloput will be aware, our farming practices are of a very high standard, while our food processing is of an exceptionally high standard. As a country, we export food products to something like 171 countries. If Mrs. Shaloput could bring back the message to her government that, as a country, we would like to see those negotiations reach an agreement on certification for the export of Irish beef, pork and dairy products, we would appreciate it. We need to expand our markets. Our industry is very proactive, modern and progressive and Mrs. Shaloput can be assured that Irish products exported would meet all necessary standards and requirements. If we could see some progress on the Ukrainian side, it would be appreciated by the industry here which faces particular challenges owing to Brexit, particularly in the agrifood sector. It is a time for us to try to expand existing markets and to identify and open up new markets. We would appreciate it if Mrs. Shaloput could bring back a strong message from this committee to her parent department and the government authorities.

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

I thank the Chairman.

I thank Mrs. Shaloput and her colleague, Mrs. Sokoloska for the presentation this morning. As was evident from all the questions, we are concerned in regard to the serious difficulties that have been ongoing for some time. We would like to see some new momentum to the Minsk Peace Process. I hope those issues can be progressed because we are very conscious of the loss of life, suffering and the conditions that many people unfortunately have to endure.

I thank both Mrs. Shaloput and Mrs. Sokoloska for their attendance and responding to questions. When Mrs. Shaloput reviews the transcript of the meeting and would like to respond to other issues, we would appreciate if she would correspond with the committee secretariat, we will ensure that any additional data is circulated to all members.

Mrs. Olena Shaloput

Once again I thank the Chairman and members for their genuine interest. It was a very good meeting.

I propose the committee now go into private session. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The joint committee went into private session at 11.01 a.m. and adjourned at 11.23 a.m. until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, 6 July 2017.
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