On Thursday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and Luka Bebić, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, attended the ceremony of opening the monument to Ivan Franko in the town of Lipik.
V.Lytvyn considers that humanitarian aspect is the key one in the official visit of the Ukrainian parliamentary delegation to Croatia. "It confirms the obvious fact that international and inter-state dialogue should last on all levels," he stated. "In the modern world, where every person has an unlimited access to information, it is the civil society that has the last word in the settlement of the complex issues."
The Head of the Parliament considers the opening of the monument to Ivan Franko to be not merely a token gesture, but "confirmation of the European identity of our nations, and reassurance that humanism shall play a key role in the solution of all challenges facing the humanity and the European community." V.Lytvyn also added, "Ivan Franko was a great European and a big humanist."
"I believe that such prominent figures as Ivan Franko will inspire us for reflection and actions on the principles of spirituality, culture, and vocation to the service to people and nations, which means peace and prosperity," the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated.
He stated that the ceremony confirmed that Europe should be united. "We were reassured in this, seeing the consequences of the conflict in the Balkans destroyed and abandoned houses, on our way to Lipik," V.Lytvyn stated.
V.Lytvyn expressed his gratitude to the people who assisted in the opening of the monument, "contributing to this noble deed," namely, to the President of the Sabor of the Croatian Republic "for understanding of the issues of common interest for the states"; to the mayors of twin towns Lipik and Drohobych that concluded agreements on cooperation; representatives of the Ukrainian community "for remembering their roots and being active citizens of Croatia."
The Head of the Parliament expects other counties of Croatia and regions of Ukraine to follow the example and foster regional cooperation.
In 2007, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Croatia initiated building the monument to Ivan Franko in Lipik. The author of the design and the monument is Kostiantyn Dobrianskyi, Ukrainian sculptor and member of the Artists´ Union of Ukraine.