Within the official visit to Croatia, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Gordan Jandrokovic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia.
Minister of Foreign Affairs highly appreciated the level of bilateral relations and stated that this year the 20th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Croatia would be celebrated. He announced that today the Croatian Government passed the resolution on temporary cancellation of the visa regime for Ukrainians from April 1 till October 31 201. He expects it to increase the tourist flow from Ukraine.
V. Lytvyn stated that inter-state relations "are friendly and stable." He hopes that ongoing inter-parliamentary dialogue will be supported by the executive power. The Head of the Parliament expressed gratitude to the Croatian Party for the support of Ukraine, and called for the further development of relations to promote mutual understanding.
Discussing the visa regime, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine suggested further working in this direction "to make such decisions systemic."
V. Lytvyn hopes that inter-governmental Ukrainian-Croatian Commission on Trade-Economic Cooperation will focus on cooperation in military-technical sphere. Volodymyr Lytvyn also deems strengthening of the inter-regional cooperation quite perspective.
Minister of Foreign Affairs agreed with the necessity to strengthen the relations in economic sphere and stated that mutual sales turnover does not meet the full potential of both states.
The Head of the Parliament also called for further development of relations in cultural and social spheres, namely, extending connections between the youth and artistic unions. "It is impossible in the period of global information that all the issues are being discussed exclusively by the authorities. It is necessary to engage citizens in development of inter-state relations", he stressed.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada hopes that Croatia will participate in the events under the aegis of the United Nations dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Chornobyl Disaster that would be held in Ukraine. "I hope that it will become a matter of the serious discussion of conditions of human existence and the actions to continue it", he stated. Gordan Jandroković declared that Croatia would take part in the said events, stating "this event shall be held on the supreme level."
G. Jandroković stated that Croatia is ready to render partner assistance to Ukraine in the matters of European integration.
V. Lytvyn also informed on the preparation for the European Football Championship 2012, stating "organized holding of this championship will give a perfect opportunity for Europeans to understand Ukraine better."
The Head of the Parliament expressed his gratitude to the Croatian Party for the policy concerning Ukrainian community, and appealed to the Minister with a request to facilitate building of the Ukrainian Center in Vukovar.