AMU presents the road map for programme development

Kyiv, 10.June 2015 - After the Agency for the Modernisation of Ukraine was established in the spring of 2015, the team of Workstream-Leaders is already intensively working on the preparation of the Programme for the modernisation of Ukraine. AMU President Michael Spindelegger: "We have managed to assemble a top-class team of experts from the fields of science and politics, because Ukraine needs the most experienced personalities to get back on its feet. We are proud to have united the team of the former ministers and prime ministers, High Court judges and university professors", explains the former Vice-Chancellor, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance of Austria.

The Leaders of six Workstreams are: Wlodzimir Cimoszewicz, former Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of Poland, is leading the work stream "Anti-Corruption", Otto Depenheuer, professor of constitutional law at the University of Cologne, leads the work stream "Constitution", the former Minister of Health and founder of the "Doctors Without Borders", Bernard Kouchner is responsible for "Health", Lord Macdonald, QC, the member of the House of Lords and Deputy High Court Judge leads the “Rule of Law” work stream, the former Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Poland is leading “Economy” and finally the former Vice-President of the European Commission and EU Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry as well as for Enlargement, Günter Verheugen is the leader of the "EU Integration" work stream.

Responsible for the political side of the EU Association Agreement Günter Verheugen describes his motivation for the task as follows: "The future development of Ukraine concerns not only Ukraine´s citizens. It is vital for the neighbouring nations and the whole Europe. Therefore it is of utmost concern for me to support Ukraine while it masters the challenges."

The next step on the road map of the development of the "Ukraine Modernisation Programme" is a series of already started dialogue discussions between the Workstream-Leaders and Ukrainian experts, scientists, politicians, public officials and civil society representatives. Various studies and surveys in Ukraine have already been launched, dealing amongst others with the issues and challenges of youth entrepreneurship. Finally, on June 18th, begins the series of round tables, which will be held by the respective Workstream-Leader. "In course of round tables we will get with the Ukrainian civil society together to have an intensive exchange of ideas", Michael Spindelegger describing this series of events "and then present the results to the public. "

In September the "Ukraine Modernisation Programme" should be handed over to Verkhovna Rada, the Parliament of Ukraine. Further the programme will be presented to the public in order to trigger the discussion with the civil society.

CONTACT:

Bernhard Schragl

PR Manager, Spokesperson

The Agency for the Modernisation of Ukraine

Renngasse 6-8, Top 504/A-1010 Vienna

phone +43 1 535 07 65-204

www.amukraine.org

e-mail: bernhard.schragl@amukraine.org