Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Sergei
Mironov, Chairman of the Federation
Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian
Federation, in Saint-Petersburg on Sunday.
The Parties discussed the state and prospects of Ukrainian-Russian cooperation. The Parties paid special attention to the inter-parliamentary component of bilateral relations. "We have ample reasons to be satisfied with our inter-parliamentary cooperation," V.Lytvyn stated.
The Chairman of the Federation Council attaches great importance to the inter-parliamentary cooperation in the humanitarian sector. In particular, he singled out events dedicated to the 150th anniversary of T.H. Shevchenko's reburial held in Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
He believes that these events do not only have political significance, but also demonstrate common historical and cultural roots, as well as joint responsibility for the past, the present and the future.
In his turn, V.Lytvyn informed that Ukrainian parliamentary delegation laid flowers to the monument to T.H.Shevchenko in Saint-Petersburg, having started the program of events dedicated to the 150th anniversary of T.H. Shevchenko's reburial.
The Parties also discussed bilateral cooperation within international organizations. The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine informed that Ukraine boosted its participation in the Commonwealth of Independent States. By the order of the President of Ukraine, Ukrainian party consolidated approaches of all subject ministries and departments to the development of cooperation with CIS and CIS member states.
V.Lytvyn stressed that Ukraine was interested in bilateral and multilateral cooperation with CIS member states. Still, it supports equal opportunities and rights of every CIS member state during the adoption of key decisions.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine considers trade-economic cooperation to be the basis of relations between Ukraine and CIS member states. By results of 2010, CIS member states account for 40,2% of the external turnover of Ukraine.
Another important area of cooperation within CIS is collaboration on innovations.
The Parties also mentioned successful cooperation between PABSEC member states.
As reported, on May 15-16, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, stays with a working visit in Saint-Petersburg to participate in the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member Nations, International Scientific Conference dedicated to the 65th anniversary of Nuremberg Trials, IV Environmental Congress and events dedicated to the 150th anniversary of T.H. Shevchenko's reburial.