UCCA Statement on the Upcoming Trip of Vice President Biden to Ukraine
15 July 2009
The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the representative organization of the 1.5 million Americans of Ukrainian descent, welcomes Vice President Joe Biden’s upcoming trip to Ukraine at the end of July.
During his meetings in Ukraine, the UCCA urges Vice President Biden to work towards strengthening the U.S.-Ukraine strategic relationship with the reconstitution of the Clinton Administration initiative of a Presidential bilateral commission. Such a commission would, as it has already historically been proven, be productive not only in furthering the development of our bilateral relations – defined by both parties as a Strategic Partnership - but enabling both countries to maintain high level contacts to address issues of mutual importance and concern regularly and in a systematic fashion.
The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the representative organization of the 1.5 million Americans of Ukrainian descent, welcomes Vice President Joe Biden’s upcoming trip to Ukraine at the end of July.
During his meetings in Ukraine, the UCCA urges Vice President Biden to work towards strengthening the U.S.-Ukraine strategic relationship with the reconstitution of the Clinton Administration initiative of a Presidential bilateral commission. Such a commission would, as it has already historically been proven, be productive not only in furthering the development of our bilateral relations – defined by both parties as a Strategic Partnership - but enabling both countries to maintain high level contacts to address issues of mutual importance and concern regularly and in a systematic fashion.
Likewise, the UCCA encourages further negotiations regarding the establishment of an American diplomatic presence in Crimea, as outlined in the Charter of Strategic Partnership and supported by the Obama Administration and trusts that progress in the establishment of such an outpost will occur.
Furthermore, to increase the mutual appreciation and enhance the understanding between our two nations, the UCCA supports increasing our people-to-people contacts and expanding our cultural, educational and professional exchange programs.
As a staunch ally of the West, Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration, democratic transition and reform processes are of critical importance to the national interests and security of the United States. The UCCA truly hopes that Vice President Biden’s trip to Ukraine will confirm and enhance our support for Ukraine and that U.S. commitment for the independence, territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine's borders will constitute the foundation of the upcoming bilateral discussions.
