Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine,
recommends the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation to initiate
strengthening of cooperation between the Black Sea Region countries, the European
Union and the Council of Europe.
V.Lytvyn delivered a speech at the 36th Plenary Session of the General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation in Trabzon (the Republic of Turkey). During the Plenary Session, Ukraine took over chairmanship in PABSEC from Turkey. V.Lytvyn focused on the importance of the inter-cultural and inter-civilization dialogue for the Black Sea Region countries.
V.Lytvyn stated that PABSEC understood "the role of inter-cultural dialogue as the essential impetus for the political, social, economic and cultural integration of our multi-cultural societies with the population exceeding 350 million people." He believes that globalization and inter-dependence of countries led to the transformation of the world of XXI century to a single body without ‘iron curtains´ and almost without borders.
The Head of the Parliament admitted that the Black Sea Region countries "are, unfortunately, not devoid of conflicts and threats: the sword of Damocles of lasting ‘frozen conflicts´, international terrorism, international and religious conflicts, struggle for markets in the Black Sea basin is hanging over the region."
In this context, V.Lytvyn attaches
great importance to the inter-cultural and inter-civilization dialogue. He underscored
the leading role of the Parliaments "and the parliamentary dimension of the inter-cultural
and inter-civilization dialogue" in the consolidation of the universal
principles of political diversity common democratic values, human rights and
freedoms, rule of law, pluralism, tolerance, non-discrimination and mutual
respect. "Chairing PABSEC, Ukraine
will develop an action plan to give incentives to the parliamentary dimension
of the inter-cultural dialogue according to the recommendations of the White
Book on the inter-cultural dialogue of the Council of Europe," the Chairman of
the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
declared.
V.Lytvyn also dwelled upon the rapprochement of national cultures of PABSEC members states in the all-European multi-cultural dimension, especially, in relations with the European Union. He is afraid lest most PABSEC member states and the Parliamentary Assembly itself should be driven out to the margin of attention of the all-European multi-cultural process in view of the current situation in the EU, becoming ‘a younger partner´ of inter-cultural and international dialogue of a Great Europe.
"PABSEC should analyze such a possibility and offer more active long-lasting partnership to the programs and subdivisions of the Council of Europe and the European Union within the inter-cultural and inter-civilization dialogue," V.Lytvyn stated. "It would also meet the guidelines of the White Book of the Council of Europe."
The Head of the Parliament announced that The Verkhovna Rada adopted several legislative acts, incorporating fundamental international standards of tolerance, respect and mutual understanding into the national legislation. It allows Ukraine to participate in the dialogue of cultures and civilizations. "Activity of the Parliament in a modern democratic state should be a platform for extension of the inter-cultural and inter-civilization dialogue, which is a pledge of success and progress of humanity," he summed up.