The document discusses improving relations between Ukraine and Romania by establishing an International Expert Consortium to connect supporters of closer cooperation. It identifies key drivers for enhancing bilateral relations such as territorial dispute settlements, European cooperation, economic relations, and environmental policies. Joint initiatives between Kyiv and Bucharest in areas like cross-border projects, energy cooperation, and common environmental projects are proposed to be successful for the region and EU.

1. Ukraine - Romania Relations: Perceptions, Perspectives, Priorities B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND Finding opportunities for cooperation Workshop Bucharest, October 7th, 2011

2. THE SITUATION One of the most important problems in the policy of European Neighborhood and international co-operation in the Wider Black Sea region is stagnation of bilateral Ukraine-Romania relations. The officials in Ukraine and Romania rather put an emphasis on the sensitive historical and border related issues as well as on the actual minority and ecology related problems in the area, thus eliminating the potential for co-operation between the countries and neglecting the benefits of a win-win approach. B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND

3. THE PROJECT Initiators: STRATEGIC AND SECURITY STUDIES GROUP (Kyiv, Ukraine) and RESURSE Association (Piatra Neamt, Romania) with the support of The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation Perspective: Improve the relations between Romania and Ukraine by setting better connections between experts and stakeholders and defining top priority grounds for cooperation Main steps: Establish International Expert Consortium (IEC) to connect supporters of closer co-operation between Ukraine and Romania Cooperate in developing the structure and content of a policy - paper in order to adjust a win-win approach between the countries and facilitate the public and governmental discussion on the outcomes B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND

4. KEY DRIVERS FOR ENHANCING BILATERAL RELATIONS B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND Territorial disputes settlement Demarcation of maritime borders and exclusive economic zones in the Black Sea Overcome the consequences of the Ribbentrop-Molotov by both parties, and waive of any territorial claims expressed or implied Involvement of international bodies in providing ways and means for an objective assessment of the situation Collaboration, common projects of the Romanian and Ukrainian border villages Avoiding the practice of an aggressive foreign politics

5. KEY DRIVERS FOR ENHANCING BILATERAL RELATIONS B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND European cooperation Elimination of ethnic and linguistic discrimination elements and provision for the national minorities in the two countries of a treatment according to European legislation, in particular the right to education in their native language (Romanian) for minorities in Chernovtsy region, Izmail and City Alba (Belgorod) Offering Romanian minorities in Ukraine the same rights that the Ukrainian minorities have in Romania (the recent example in Odessa – Romanian television) Intercultural and economic cooperation Ukraine to foster closer relations with the European Union Increased dialogue at the civil society level

6. KEY DRIVERS FOR ENHANCING BILATERAL RELATIONS B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND Economic relations Governmental cooperation between the two countries Development of business programs, involvement of the business sector Intensification of the economic diplomacy type relations Involvement of both countries in joint projects in the Black Sea region Environmental policies Addressing environmental issues and those related to the operation of the Danube basin and the protection of biodiversity in the Danube Delta as a priority over economic projects that may affect the biodiversity. Common environmental projects at the Black Sea

7. KEY DRIVERS FOR ENHANCING BILATERAL RELATIONS B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND Academic Exchanges of the academic nature, partnerships between universities Involvement of youth and students in educational and cultural collaboration in order to promote dialogue between Romania and Ukraine Academic research projects

8. JOINT INITIATIVES OF KYIV AND BUCHAREST POLICY-MAKERS SUCCESSFUL FOR THE REGION B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND Clarifying territorial disputes Foster cross-border projects on various domains - environment, civil society, democracy Combating illicit trade and trafficking across the border Avoid aggressive foreign policy that Romania was close to adopting, as a member of NATO and the EU, in relation to Ukraine Energy cooperation A cooperation plan in the field of environmental policies Initiatives for a green Black Sea coast and construction of a tourism infrastructure Common actions on fisheries policy and protection of endangered species of dolphins in the Black Sea

9. JOINT INITIATIVES OF KYIV AND BUCHAREST POLICY-MAKERS SUCCESSFUL FOR THE REGION B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND A responsible operational plan of the area Initiatives aimed at cooperation with Black Sea states, especially Turkey, South Caucasian states and Russia Creation of a common entity to exploit the agricultural, touristy and energetic potential Enhance commercial exchanges Preservation and protection of the Danube Delta ecosystem Intercultural policies Cooperation between local communities regarding the minorities Facilitate the access to cultural/educational programs for the Romanian speaking minorities in Ukraine Preservation and reconstruction of the Romanian speaking minorities in Ukraine Organizing cultural or educational projects involving both the Romanian diaspora in Ukraine and the Ukrainian community members located in Romania, for a better understanding and cooperation in the sphere of civil society

10. JOINT INITIATIVES OF KYIV AND BUCHAREST POLICY-MAKERS SUCCESSFUL FOR THE EU B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND Cooperation within the Eastern Partnership Energy Cooperation Energy cooperation and know-how exchange in the construction of hydroelectric, nuclear, coal mining and in the European pollution standards Participation in the construction of transit routes for hydrocarbons in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, perhaps even of those in Russia Interconnecting energetic projects from Romania in the EU energy program Encouraging the business sector development Combating Illicit Trafficking Common work groups regarding the visa situation Combating illicit trade and trafficking across the border

11. JOINT INITIATIVES OF KYIV AND BUCHAREST POLICY-MAKERS SUCCESSFUL FOR THE EU B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND Strategic Cooperation Regional cooperation between Ukraine and Romania and transfer of know-how in order to bring Ukraine closer to European values Ukraine to support the pro-European direction that Romania has been following as a member of the Eastern periphery of the EU The involvement of Romania and Ukraine as regional actors active in the negotiations on the conflict in Transnistria Economic and military cooperation in the region Exchanges of good practices (in institutional reform area, democracy and human rights)

12. JOINT INITIATIVES OF KYIV AND BUCHAREST POLICY-MAKERS SUCCESSFUL FOR THE EU B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND Common environmental projects Active involvement in the Danube strategy of transportation, tourism and environment infrastructure initiatives Projects to improve water quality in the Black Sea. Common environmental projects with a strong research component.

13. JOINT INITIATIVES OF KYIV AND BUCHAREST POLICY-MAKERS SUCCESSFUL FOR THE GLOBAL AGENDA B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND Cross Border Cooperation NATO military cooperation Cooperation on Global Climate Change Agriculture and food cooperation in order to participate in the UN agenda to fight hunger

14. THE ROLE OF GROUPS OF PROFESSIONALS FROM DIASPORA AS AS YOUNG LEADERS B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND A positive one The work and projects of these young leaders, have or at least should have an impact on local communities of the two countries where they operate. At the grass-root level the image in both countries undergoes positive changes. Success models that must be replicated in other regions. Media is expected to report about them so then the phenomenon can be extended nationwide. At that moment in time the authorities could no longer ignore these issues and will need to take action.

15. THE ROLE OF GROUPS OF PROFESSIONALS FROM DIASPORA AS AS YOUNG LEADERS B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND A positive one Their work will certainly have a positive role at a certain time in the future thus governments support in both country will be decisive. A rather insignificant one Resistance at government level is significant Rather difficult to change public perception

16. AREAS OF COOPERATION WITH MOST SIGNIFICANT EFFECT B S T The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation A PROJECT OF THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND Mutual cultural awareness Cooperation at think-tanks & academia level Ecology Education NGOs