U.S. and Ukraine sign cooperative plan on combating human trafficking in Ukraine
By Jeaneane Payne
February 15, 2011

In the third session of the United States-Ukraine Strategic Partnership Commission, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Ukraine on human trafficking. "Today, we will sign a bilateral Cooperation Plan on Combating Human Trafficking in Ukraine. The recent repatriation from Ukraine to the United States of a trafficker accused of taking more than $1 million in profits from the women he exploited is just one way we are working to end this tragic worldwide blight," said Clinton.

According to Wikipedia, "Ukraine is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked transnationally for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. Ukrainian women are trafficked to Russia, Poland, Turkey, the Czech Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Austria, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Israel, Spain, Lebanon, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Cyprus, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Serbia, Argentina, Norway, Iran and Bahrain."

Other issues covered in today's session included the negotiation of a five-year partnership framework to strengthen the delivery of health services and treatment for Ukrainians living with HIV/AIDS. "We're launching a five-year, $20 million program to strengthen Ukraine's agricultural sector and help build its potential as a major contributor to global food security," Clinton stated.

"Ukraine is well positioned to realize its own citizens' hope for a genuine democracy and a prosperous economy. It has an educated, innovative population, deep foundations of democracy, including a vibrant civil society, the potential to become energy independent, and the capacity to lead on key regional and global issues."

Representatives from the Ukraine at the meeting included Presidential Adviser Akimova, Justice Minister Lavrynovych, Energy Minister Boyko, Ambassador Tefft, Assistant Secretary Gordon, Ambassador Verveer, and Ambassador CdeBaca.