Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, meets the
Factions Leaders as to the Observance of Standing Orders of the Verkhovna Rada
of Ukraine by the People's Deputies
On Wednesday, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Lytvyn met member of the European Parliament Marek Sivets and President of the Union of Left Democratic Powers in Sejm of the Republic of Poland G. Napieralsky.
The participants of the meetings discussed inter-parliamentary cooperation between Ukraine and Poland, considering forthcoming presidency of Poland in the European Union and its benefits for Ukraine.
V. Lytvyn stressed the importance of thoughts and proposals of the Polish colleagues, and stated that Ukraine highly appreciated development of the bilateral relations between both states, and the actions aimed at accession to the EU. He reminded that trilateral Assembly Ukraine-Lithuania-Poland is scheduled for March 2011 to discuss whether European identity is being formed by the social factors.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine commented on the critical statements of Polish colleagues who visited plenary meetings of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine last week as regards voting of the Ukrainian colleagues by several cards. He announced that on Monday he would meet the faction leaders to debate observance of Standing Orders of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine by the People´s Deputies of Ukraine. Namely, he deems necessary to take radical measures concerning those deputies who are not attending the plenary sittings. "I take on responsibility and suggest withdrawing of salaries for the days People´s Deputies have not been registered in a written form before the beginning of the sitting", he informed.
According to the Head of the Parliament, this ‘type´ of voting is a matter of "political culture and time requirements alongside with the drawbacks of election system." He admitted, "Deputies are guided by the leaders and do not pay attention to the public moods and needs." "It is necessary to search any opportunities to regulate this problem, since it discredits Ukraine", V. Lytvyn emphasised.
Member of the European Parliament Marek Sivets stated that factions leaders in the Polish Parliament had strong positions and control over the voting, hold faction meetings concerning observance of the Standing Orders norms, etc. Parliamentary behavior, according to him, considerably influences the election to the Sejm.
Discussing reforms in Ukraine, the Polish parliamentarians
stressed, "We are concerned about the reforms in your
state." G. Naleralskyi is convinced that public discussion and elucidation of the ultimate aim of reforms will give positive results, while citizens will understand and support them.
Member of the European Parliament Marek Sivets and President of the Union of Left Democratic Powers in Sejm of the Republic of Poland G. Napieralsky offered their help in the implementation of reforms as regards European integration of Ukraine. They stated, "Today, more than ever, we shall exert efforts and give strong pro-European signals from Ukraine and Poland on further cooperation."
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed that Ukraine is a European state. "Tthe closer we draw to Europe, the stronger our county becomes", he emphasised.