NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Sec. Clinton to Open the US-Ukraine Strategic Partnership Commission Meeting

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko will open the Third Meeting of the U.S.-Ukraine Strategic Partnership Commission in their role as co-chairs on February 15 at approximately 10:40 a.m. At the meeting, they will sign a Cooperative Plan on Combating Human Trafficking in Ukraine. U.S. and Ukrainian officials also will sign an agreement to deploy the U.S. Geological Survey to assess potential energy resources in Ukraine, such as shale gas.

The opening remarks and signing by Secretary Clinton and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Gryshchenko will be open to credentialed journalists and still photographers. Video coverage will be pooled. "Final access time for journalists and still photographers: 10:15 a.m. from the 23rd Street Entrance Lobby."

Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Gryshchenko will also meet with Ukrainian civil society leaders and hold a bilateral meeting on a range of issues of mutual concern, including increased cooperation in nuclear security and nonproliferation, as well as democracy and enhancing the investment climate in Ukraine.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Daniel Russell and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Olexandr Gorin will lead the sessions of the Strategic Partnership Commission throughout the day, including a discussion of democracy and rule of law; nonproliferation; defense; economic reform trade and investment; and science and technology.

CONTACTS:

Office of Press Relations Department of State (202) 647-2492

Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Department of State EUR-Press-DL@state.gov

Source: U.S. Department of State