"Ukraine is a European country. Europe is incomplete without Ukraine. Ukraine should join the European community", Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, stated in the interview to the European Union Information Website EurActiv, summarizing the official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany on June 16-17, 2010.
Asked whether orientation of Ukraine was aimed towards the European Union or Russia, V.Lytvyn responded that these orientations were not alternative. "They should be complementary to find the way in this globalized and controversial world", he stated.
The Head of the Parliament stressed that Ukraine should establish sustainable relations with Russia, as it is met the national interests, expectations of the EU and historical development of the country. "Friendly relations with the neighbours are the most important guarantee of security. I am convinced that Ukraine can be a secure sovereign State, provided confidential relations with Russia are established. Other countries are also concerned with it, since sustainable relations presuppose sustainability in the EU", he stated.
V.Lytvyn stated that absolute majority of the Ukrainian citizens supported the idea of European integration.
The Head of the Parliament believes that Ukraine´s membership in the EU will help overcome the economic crisis. "The complicated situation in the EU proves that Europe should be unanimous and integral. We should also act in the actual economic sector, although its capabilities are not enormous. I suppose that our membership in the EU could alleviate the impact sustained by Europe", V.Lytvyn stated. "On the contrary, the impact of the crisis on Ukraine would be less dramatic, if it were an EU member state."
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated that the date of accession to the EU was insignificant for Ukraine, while implementation of European standards and provisions in the country was more important. However, he admitted that "conclusion of the Association Agreement, formation of a free trade zone and visa-free regime action plan are on the agenda. Other issues will be discussed later."
Among the priority objectives, V.Lytvyn singled out the provision of the sustainable economic development and growth of Ukrainian economy to minimize corruption. The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine called for the shaping of a transparent authority system in Ukraine "with the state interests preceding the party concerns." He also supposes that the citizens should treat election processes carefully, "assuming responsibility for their destiny and realizing that their own efforts determine further achievements."
Asked about the Ukraine´s refusal from the Euro-Atlantic course, V.Lytvyn stated that the majority of Ukrainian citizens objected to the accession to NATO. He believes that policy should represent public moods and concerns. Moreover, the Head of the Parliament made it a point that although several EU member states did not join NATO, they "do not feel as minor states."
On the other hand, V.Lytvyn mentioned that Ukraine closely cooperated with NATO in the framework of the Annual Partnership Program and at the parliamentary level. "I believe that we should be present wherever our national interests are concerned", he summed up.