On Wednesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Norbert Lammert, President of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany, in the Framework of the Official Visit to Germany

 The Parties discussed further development of bilateral relations, and European prospects of Ukraine.

According to Mr Lammert, Germany carefully follows the events in Ukraine, being interested in the stability and development of the country. "Your visit is of utter importance for the extension of relations between our states", he stated.

Mr Lytvyn stated that active political dialogue between Ukraine and Germany would be supplemented with a regular work at the parliamentary level. Moreover, the number of corresponding contacts would enlarge in the nearest time.

 He stated: "We rely upon the Bundestag to support Ukraine in a political dimension", which will boost cooperation between the parliamentary committees and groups of friendship, and restore celebration of the Days of Ukraine in Germany, and the Days of Germany in Ukraine. "Our countries have great possibilities for cooperation in the economic and humanitarian sectors. We will definitely use these opportunities", the Head of the Parliament stated.

Mr Lytvyn declared that Ukraine counted upon Germany "as a reliable partner in the realization of its European choice, which numbers 20 years already."  

The Head of the Parliament mentioned that the country "has voluminous home work" to do to attain this aim. Currently, Ukraine focuses on the implementation of domestic reforms on the democratic principles of the European community. "There is a vision of further actions. We need only time, political will and responsible actions", Mr Lytvyn stated.

 The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed that "preservation of democratic objectives that has been attained recently, and realization of long-awaited economic transformations remain key tasks."

The President of the Bundestag stated that the recent changes in the European Union are a golden chance for the countries striving for the EU membership. However, he admitted that these changes caused numerous practical problems. Mr Lammert stated that the current composition of the EU involving 27 countries is not an ultimate one. However, he believes that further enlargement of the EU will not take place in the nearest future. According to Mr Lammert, EU member-states adopted different attitude towards this issue.

The President of the Bundestag expressed his own point of view that Ukraine, similarly as the Balkan countries, belongs to Europe; however, it has to meet numerous requirements to access the EU. "Are they ready to fulfill the requirements for accession?", he stated.  

"We are realistic and understand that the question on Ukraine´s accession to the EU can not be raised shortly", Mr Lytvyn admitted. However, Ukraine and the EU should settle certain issues, conclude the agreements on association and free trade zone, and draft an action plan for the introduction of a visa-free regime. Mr Lytvyn stressed that it is necessary for the free movement of goods, services and capital between Ukraine and the EU member-states. "When people are self-sufficient, they can live outside the community. However, these people have an inherent right for free movement and realization of their potential. The same proves true for the countries", he declared.

Mr Lytvyn declared that Ukraine relied on the support of Germany in the conclusion of these agreements between Ukraine and the European Union. 

Mr Lytvyn also stated that Europe had both geographical and civilization dimensions, which should be considered while ascertaining the affiliation of the country to it. "I am convinced that Europe will continue to suffer hardships, if it is not taken into account", he stated.

The Head of the Parliament believes that the declaration of the Bundestag that Ukraine is a European state with prospects of the EU membership could be of utter importance, encouraging the Ukrainian politicians to move in the direction supported by the Ukrainian people. "Ukraine should be given a chance. It will be positive for the whole European continent", he stated. "It is easier to move towards the aim, when it is clear-cut. Political encouragement is the point."

Mr Lammert stated that the Federal Republic of Germany was interested in the stability of such a large country as Ukraine, although it is not a close neighbour.

He stressed that Ukrainian-Russian relations were of strategic importance both for the EU and Germany. Mr Lytvyn stated that these relations were normalized. He agreed that it was important equally for Ukraine and Russia, and for Europe. He underscored that Europe would not feel stability unless Ukraine were stable.

Mr Lytvyn invited Mr Lammert to visit Ukraune. He stated that the meetings of the President of the Bundestag in Ukraine would result in the conviction that Ukraine should be represented in the European community. Mr Lammert accepted the invitation, declaring that Ukraine should have the prospects of accession to the EU, but specification of the date is too early so far.

As it was reported, on 16-17 June, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, pays an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany.

V.Lytvyn will also meet Gunter Fritsch, President of the Landtag of Brandenburg; Gunther Krichbaum, Chairman of Bundestag Committee on European Affairs, and the Committee members; Ruprecht Polenz, Chairman of Bundestag Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee members; Walter Momper, President of the House of Representatives of the Berlin Parliament; members of the German-Ukrainian Inter-Parliamentary Group of the Bundestag.  

The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will attend the public hearings "Domestic and Foreign Policy of Ukraine after the Change of Authorities" with the participation of deputies of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Bundestag.

The members of the Ukrainian delegation are as follows: People´s Deputies Yurii Serbin (BYuT Faction, deputy chairman of the Committee on Construction, Urban Development, Housing and Communal Services and Regional Policy, co-chairman of the deputy group of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on inter-parliamentary liaison with the Federal Republic of Germany), Leonid Kozhara (Party of Regions Faction, deputy chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, member of the deputy group of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on inter-parliamentary liaison with the Federal Republic of Germany), and Stanislav Dovhyi (Our Ukraine People's Self-Defence Faction, member of the Committee on Budget, deputy co-chairman of the deputy group of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on inter-parliamentary liaison with the Federal Republic of Germany).