Vol. 445 No. 9
118 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the partnership and co-operation agreements between the EU, the Ukraine and Kazakhstan, and with Kygryzstan and Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41/94]
The Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Communities and their member states and Ukraine was signed in Luxembourg on 14 June and the agreement with the Russian Federation was signed at a ceremony held in Corfu, on 24 June on the occasion of the meeting of the European Council.
The Partnership and Co-operation Agreements with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova have been concluded and are expected to be signed in the near future.
These agreements are wide ranging and cover political, economic, trade and cultural matters. They recognise the states of the former Soviet Union as economies in transition whose continued progress towards a market economy will be underpinned by the trade and economic provisions of the agreements.
A link is established in the agreements between their full implementation and respect for democratic principles, human rights and market economic principles.
Ireland welcomes the conclusion of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreements with Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova. They mark a qualitative step forward in relations and will be of benefit to the economic transition underway in these countries.
