Lautenberg mees with Kuchma

WASHINGTON - Sen. Frank Lautenberg met on April 23 with President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine to discuss issues related to Ukraine's reform efforts, the country's relationship with the United States and Kyiv's role in European security structures, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

President Kuchma thanked Sen. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) for his recent support of Ukraine's certification, which affirmed progress in economic reforms and resolution of business disputes with American companies, thus allowing continued U.S. aid to Ukraine.

"I assured President Kuchma of my strong support for Ukraine's political and economic reforms and urged him to continue efforts at strengthening democracy and a market economy," said Sen. Lautenberg.

"I welcomed Ukraine's participation in the Summit of NATO's Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, signaling its growing cooperation with European institutions and the United States," he added.

Also present at the meeting were Volodymyr Horbulin, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council; Volodymyr Lytvyn, first assistant to the president of Ukraine; Volodymyr Ohryzko, chief of the Foreign Affairs Department, Administration of the President of Ukraine; Ivan Zayets, vice-chairman of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee; Leonid Kravchuk, member of Parliament and former President of Ukraine; and Anton Buteiko, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, May 9, 1999, No. 19, Vol. LXVII

| Home Page |