Joint Declaration of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland and the European Commission on the Support of the Euro-Asian Oil Transport Corridor Project

The Vice-Prime Minister of Ukraine Vitalii Gaiduk, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland Marek Pol, the Vice-President of the European Commission on Energy and Transport Loyola de Palacio, acting on behalf of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland and the European Commission respectively: Agree on the importance of the Euro-Asian Oil Transport Corridor Project in general, and the section Odessa - Brody - PloOk of this oil pipeline in particular, for strengthening the security of energy supplies by diversifying sources and transportation routes and for a sustainable economic development for the enlarged European Union and of Ukraine. Consider that the realisation of the project will create alternative ways of bringing oil supplies to markets of the European Union by pipeline, will provide for a secure, efficient and transparent transit between the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, and will also help enhancing the use of higher quality oil. Confirm their willingness to strengthen international cooperation and energy security on the European continent. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland, and the European Commission agree to cooperate in the following directions:

to stimulate the interest of organisations and to facilitate their cooperation for the realisation of the project;

to consider further support of the project through the relevant Technical Assistance programmes of the European Community;

to increase safe transportation around the European continent.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland, and the European Commission agree to continue the dialogue at different levels to facilitate the realisation of the project and express their readiness to cooperate with the governments of other countries and different organisations, including international financial institutions, to take into account the interests of all parties concerned.

On behalf of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Vitalii Gaiduk Vice-Prime Minister of Ukraine

On behalf of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland Marek Pol Deputy Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland

On behalf of the Ministers of the European Commission Loyola de Palacio Vice-President of the European Commission on Energy and Transport

Brussels, 27th May 2003