Annual Leadership Conference of the Association of Ukrainian-American Professionals - The Washington Group (TWG) was held on February 19th, 2011 in Washington D.C. TWG is a well-known civil organization in the United States, which was established as a network of experts of different fields in order to use their potential for strengthening of Ukraine-U.S. relationship.

The conference gathered together the representatives of the U.S. Department of State, analysts and experts on Ukraine and Ukraine-U.S. relations, leaders of Ukrainian Diaspora organizations, and Ukrainian diplomats accredited in the U.S.

The discussion was focused on the developments in Ukraine, current state of affairs and the prospects of the Ukraine-U.S. cooperation in light of the Third session of the Ukraine-U.S. Strategic Partnership Commission, which took place on February 15th, 2011 in Washington D.C.

In his opening address, the Ambassador of Ukraine Olexander Motsyk informed the audience on initiated by President Yanukovych ongoing systemic reforms aimed at Ukraine’s modernization and European integration, as well as on Ukraine’s foreign policy priorities. Ambassador Motsyk underlined that strengthening democracy and the rule of law is indispensable part of the Ukrainian statehood, what makes democratic course of Ukraine irreversible.

Ambassador also mentioned successful efforts of Ukraine’s President and Government aimed at stabilization of economic and financial situation, improvement of living standards and investment climate in Ukraine.