Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine met on Wednesday in Saint Petersburg Serhei Mironov, Chairman of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
The Meeting was held in the framework of the Interparliamentary Assembly of CIS member-countries.
In the course of the meeting the parties discussed the issues on cooperation in the framework of IPA CIS. V. Lytvyn expressed sincere gratitude to S. Mironov for the organization of the events that are held in the framework of the Assembly and emphasised the significance of IPA CIS as it is dedicated to the 65th anniversary of Great Patriotic War Victory.
The Head of the Ukrainian Parliament stated that not less important problem to be discussed in the course of IPA CIS meeting is the issue on European security. "We are supposed to think about the integrity of our world", he stated.
S. Mironov in his turn declared that there are constructive relations between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
Asked by the journalists during the press conference regarding the perspectives of Ukrainian joining union country of Belarus and Russia, V. Lytvyn declared: "I deem it utopian."
"Ukraine and Russia should leave ritual dances and give direct answers to the direct questions. I am convinced that we are supposed to develop bilateral relations", the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasised.
V. Lytvyn also announced that the Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Boris Batura in the course of their today´s meeting invited Ukrainian parliamentarians to take part in the work of the parliamentary council of union state of Russia and Belarus. The Leader of the Ukrainian Parliament declared that this question would be investigated, adding that the Ukrainian Part may play a part of the supervisor.
According to his words, Ukraine should have the opportunity to observe the processes on post soviet space and be present where there is our national interest. V. Lytvyn also declared that there is great outstanding potential of Ukraine in CIS.
Asked on the perspectives of entrance of Ukraine the Custom Union, V. Lytvyn declared that before answering the question it is necessary to take into the consideration three important factors: first of all, Custom Union has been already existing, second of all, Ukraine is WTO member that excludes entrance other economic unions, and third of all, Ukraine today is on the final stage of preparation of the treaties with EU regarding the association and free trade zone.
Thus, according to V. Lytvyn the issue can be scrutinized also taking into the consideration these three factors.
As it was briefed before, Volodymyr Lytvyn, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stays Russian Federation on 6-8 April (Saint Petersburg City) and takes part in 34th Plenary Meeting of Interparliamentary Assembly of CIS Countries-Participants.