EXCERPTS ON UKRAINE, RUSSIA FROM U.S.-EU SUMMIT STATEMENT

President Bush and European Union leaders meeting June 14 in Goteborg, Sweden issued a joint statement to reaffirm their historic partnership, shared values, and commitment to work together to address the most pressing bilateral, regional and global issues of the day.

In the statement the leaders also declared support for an independent, sovereign Ukraine with close ties to the transatlantic community, and pledged to continue working with Russia toward its full transition to a democratic, free market state.

Following are excerpts from the U.S.-EU joint statement concerning Ukraine and Russia:

"[…] The U.S. and EU strongly support an independent, sovereign Ukraine with close ties to the transatlantic community but are concerned about domestic developments affecting democratic and free market reforms. We support Ukraine's leaders in their pursuit of reforms that secure Ukraine's future prosperity and urge them to continue to follow this path. We remind Ukraine of the need to send a strong signal to the international community by responding positively and transparently to concerns over human rights, independent media and free elections.

"[…] We recognize the progress made since 1991 and emphasize the importance to Europe, to the transatlantic community and the world of Russia's full transition into a democratic, free market state, enjoying constructive relations with its neighbors and close ties to the transatlantic community. We pledge to continue working together and with Russia towards that goal, and will pursue a dialogue with Russia that is constructive, cooperative and, where warranted, frank. We are concerned about recent adverse developments regarding media, which should remain independent and free of interference. We call upon the Russian Government to pursue actively a political settlement to the conflict in Chechnya."