Ukrainian Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko, who is on a working visit to the Czech Republic, and Czech Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Alexandr Vondra have discussed the issues of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has reported.
Vondra supported Ukraine's position that an enhanced agreement between Ukraine and the European Union should bring bilateral relations to a qualitatively higher level.
He said this should be a practical and universal document based on the principles of Ukraine's political association and economic integration with the European Union.
In this connection, Ohryzko stressed the importance of a negotiating process between Ukraine and the EU on the creation of a free trade area and the introduction of free-visa travels for Ukrainian citizens.
In the context of the Czech Republic's presidency in the European Union in the first half of 2009, the parties expressed hope that Ukraine and the Czech Republic would actively use the period to take steps towards Ukraine's Eurointegration. Vondra said his country would follow the "open doors" policy of the European Union.
Vondra also confirmed the Czech Republic's support for Ukraine's joining the NATO Membership Action Plan to gain full membership of the alliance, adding that Ukraine's integration in NATO is a strategic and important element in the system of collective security.
