NEW YORK, September 27 (Itar-Tass) —— The United States will continue to be an important strategic partner for Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Konstantin Grishchenko said at the ceremony, at which he and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed a memorandum of understanding in the sphere of nuclear security.
“I should like to point out that the United States has been over the past 20 years and will continue to be in the future an important strategic partner for Ukraine in the global economy and in the world politics, in which many risks emerge all of a sudden and call for quick response on the part of the world community,” Grishchenko said.
He reminded that Kiev was taking part in about all the peacekeeping operations under the aegis of the U.N., NATO and other organisations. “Ukraine took quick action in many situations, in which our country played the key role. The developments in Cote d’Ivoire are one of the examples showing that we can play a decisive role in the establishment of peace and stability away from our borders,” Grishchenko said.
Hillary Clinton said, in her turn, that the joint commitment of the United States and Ukraine, which observes the 20th anniversary of its creation this year, to the democratic values is one of the key aspects of strategic partnership of the two countries. According to Ms. Clinton, Ukraine has made a perceptible headway in building a strong democracy. She said as well that on the way to achieving democratic progress the government should avoid steps, which could undermine democracy, the supremacy of law, participation in political activities and competition.
Grishchenko replied that “we believe the democratic development of our country should be based on the understanding that democracy envisages full responsibility of those, who have been elected or appointed to high posts in the government.”