On Wednesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn,
Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Speaker of the Croatian
Parliament Luka Bebić.
The Parties discussed a broad circle of issues of bilateral cooperation in economic and cultural-social spheres. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine declared that our states have great opportunities for strengthening cooperation. He called for making the Ukrainian-Croatian cooperation systemic.
V. Lytvyn also expects intensification of the inter-parliamentary relations to give impetus to further development of relations in other spheres. "The inter-parliamentary dialogue facilitates inter-governmental cooperation as to implementation of agreed plans", he stated. The Head of the Ukrainian Parliament called for extending inter-regional cooperation.
L. Bebić called for strengthening bilateral cooperation in part of realization of infrastructure projects in Ukraine, namely, building of autobahns and ship-building. V. Lytvyn considers further cooperation to be promising, especially in light of preparation and holding of the final part of European Football Championship 2012 in Ukraine.
The Parties discussed the expediency of visa regime reconsideration between our states up to its abolishment to facilitate tourist business development.
The Parties shared their experience in the accession to the European Union. V. Lytvyn stated that Ukraine is interested in Croatia as an EU member: "It will make Europe more integral, so Ukraine will have one more adherent in the EU." The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada demonstrated his interest in Croatia´s experience in part of legislation harmonization with the European standards.
L. Bebić informed that the National Committee had been set up within the Sabor out of representatives of the President of Croatia, the political powers of the Parliament, higher education establishments, united trade unions, and employers to discuss the pressing issues of the state, accession to the European Union in particular. According to him, this Committee can act on behalf of the Sabor and convey the Parliament´s stance. "We try to avoid constant discussions in the Parliament. People in this Committee are well educated, experienced, able to express their own opinion, which simplifies the parliamentary work. If required to scrutinize the essential issues, the National Committee convenes an extended session, attracts public representatives to learn advantages of joining the EU, and monitors the public opinion", the President of Croatian Parliament explained.
V. Lytvyn commented on the coming formation of a similar Committee under the Verkhovna Rada to be in charge of the tasks related to the accession to the EU, namely, in part of harmonization of the domestic law with the EU requirements.
The Parties discussed the demands of the national minorities in both states. Sabor President considers such communities to be "bridges of cooperation between the states." He emphasized, "National minorities are not a burden but a kind of an advantage."
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada emphasized, "Stability of the national minorities is the country´s stability." He expressed his gratitude to the Croatian part for the fact that "Ukrainians and Ruthenians feel natural in this state."
After the meeting, L. Bebić mentioned Ukraine as "a great European state which is extremely influential in Europe", adding that Croatia highly appreciates cooperation with our state.
V. Lytvyn stated, "We had a fruitful and useful conversation, as we have managed to comprehend our past, discuss the present time, and tried to predict the future." According to him, the present visit of the Ukrainian parliamentary delegation will have "a strict social character." The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed that it is rather symbolic to celebrate anniversary of T. Shevchenko´s birthday that day.
As it was announced, on March 9-10, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, makes a working visit to the Republic of Croatia.
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, is to meet President of Croatia Ivo Josipović, Prime Minister of Croatia Jadranka Kosor, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordan Jandroković.
V.Lytvyn is to visit the faculty of philosophy of the University of Zagreb to attend the grand opening of the exhibition "Ukrainian Embroidery and Folk Art" dedicated to the celebration of Shevchenko Days. The Head of the Ukrainian Parliament is to deliver a speech to the students.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is also to meet the members of the Ukrainian community in Croatia, and attend the ceremony of opening the monument to I.Franko in the town of Lipik.