On Wednesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Gunter Fritsch, President of the Landtag of Brandenburg, in the Framework of the Official Visit to the Federal Republic of Germany
Leaders of two factions of the Landtag and the Head of the Landtag Committee on European affairs attended the meeting.
Mr Lytvyn greeted the participants of the meeting on the 20th anniversary of restoration of Brandenburg as a federal land, appreciating achievements of the region in the field of economic and social reforms. He also expressed his gratitude "for support and attention granted to the Ukrainian football team during the World Cup-2006."
Mr Lytvyn stated that Ukraine and Germany "could and must be interested in each other", calling for boosting the cooperation in the format "Weimar triangle plus Ukraine", including the regional dimension.
The Parties discussed cooperation between the German lands and Ukrainian regions. Mr Lytvyn declared that Ukraine and it regions were interested in the experience of Brandenburg in the development of transport and telecommunications systems, organization of public utility services, growth of small and mid-sized business, environmental protection, introduction of energy-saving energy and security of energy supply.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine dwelled upon the extension and development of cooperation in the agricultural sector. "This is a key topic for us, as Ukraine has enormous capabilities in this aspect, which is insufficiently realized so far", he stated. He also called for further exchange of experience in the personnel training for this sector. Mr Lytvyn focused his attention on the cooperation in the transfer of Ukrainian agriculture onto a new technological base, and investments into this sector.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine called for boosting cooperation in the field on renewable energy sources. "Large land plots in Ukraine are covered with rape, while there is no respective processing industry. However, Ukraine is not willing to act as a plantation and feedstock base for Europe, so we should collaborate also in this field", he stated.
The Head of the Parliament declared his willingness to determine Ukrainian regions to establish regional cooperation wit Germany. "The results should be palpable", he emphasized. Mr Lytvyn calls for attracting investment projects developed by several Ukrainian regions and discussed at the sitting of the Council of Regions to this cooperation.
The President of the Landtag stressed that cooperation between Ukraine and Germany in these fields lay on a sufficient foundation. Mr Fritsch considers collaboration in the science prospective, as well.
The Parties agreed to exert every effort to implement the intentions as soon as possible. They declared their willingness to foster establishment of connections between the respective institutions, entrepreneurs and experts. "Your benevolence and willingness to cooperate appeal to us", Mr Lytvyn stated.
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.