On Friday 11 January, The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Arseniy Yatseniuk, received Jacek Kluczkowski, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Poland to Ukraine
At the start of the Meeting, J. Kluczkowski offered his congratulations and those of the Leaders of The Sejm of The Polish Republic to A. Yatseniuk, on his election to Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and assured him of the aspirations of the Polish Party to strengthen and develop Ukrainian/Polish Inter-parliamentary cooperation.
The Parties discussed a wide range of topics related to Ukrainian/Polish cooperation, among them participation of Ukraine and The Republic of Poland in the workings of The Ukrainian/Polish/Lithuanian Inter-parliamentary Assembly.
A. Yatseniuk upheld the furthering of Inter-parliamentary contacts between the two countries and replied to questions on the prospects of the workings of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the 6th Convocation, the political situation within Ukraine, and the further advance of Euro-integration in this country, etc.
Inter alia, both Parties briefly touched on the matter of Constitutional Reform and Local Government Reform in Ukraine. The Polish Delegates suggested that Ukraine should draw on its experiences in effecting corresponding reforms.
Elaborating on the prospects for Local Government reform in Ukraine, The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized that this cannot be fulfilled unless relevant amendments are made to The Constitution of Ukraine.
He stated that a National Constitutional Council, pursuant to an Edict by The President of Ukraine, has been set up to elaborate on the relevant proposals. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine upholds the formation of this Council. At the same time, A. Yatseniuk stressed that Amendments to the Principal Law ‘are a very complex and difficult process´. He expressed scepticism in assessing the prospects of amending The Constitution in 2008. ‘Let some time first pass. This Parliament has five years ahead of it´, said The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Before the new Constitution of Ukraine is adopted, ‘We have all the necessary tools to work within the legal field´.
During their conversations, The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine advised the Polish Representatives that the Action Plan will be presented to Parliament by the new Government on 17 January. He also emphasized that Parliament will use ' all Parliamentary control tools to control the Government activities'.
He also said that the Second Session of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the 6th Convocation will commence its proceedings with The President's Message to Parliament.
A. Yatseniuk also noted that the political forces in Parliament, and the Democratic Coalition and Opposition in particular, presently are seeking to achieve a compromise. To date, this process is still proving complex since 'The Opposition has not yet found its niche'. He said that he is against 'crossing The Power with The Opposition'. Nevertheless, he does not exclude 'a situational growth of a Majority during votings, provided that the Government is successful in its working'.
A. Yatseniuk assured the Polish Representatives that the situation in Ukraine will remain stable, and that the World Community 'has no reasons for concern as to this'. He also said that the idea of Euro-integration does not divide today's Ukraine. He said that he has recently discussed this matter with The President of Ukraine and added: ' I believe that Euro-integration functions will be centralized in the near future.'
Returning to the topic of Ukrainian/Polish cooperation, The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine enquired as to the progress in the preparation of an Agreement on Small Trans-Frontier Movements, and noted that 'it is important that we cement our relations at the level of Presidents'. He said that a visit by The Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Donald Tusk, to Ukraine, scheduled for this year will, in his opinion, contribute to the development of relations between the two neighbouring countries. A. Yatseniuk suggested that a Joint Task Force is set up 'to provide for full an comprehensive tools for our cooperation'.
A. Yatseniuk reiterated his invitation to The Marshal of the Sejm of The Republic of Poland, Bronislaw Komorowski, to visit Ukraine in the spring.