On Wednesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met President of the National Council of Switzerland Jean-René Germanier.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Parties laid emphasis on strengthening of relations between Ukraine and Switzerland, and launch of extended multi-faceted cooperation.
Mr Jean-René Germanier declared that Ukraine is the second principal partner of Switzerland in export, and the third one in import. He also noted effective activity of Ukrainian Embassy in Switzerland.
The President of the National Council of Switzerland informed that ‘historic debates on the change of energy sources´ were held at the Parliament that day. It is a concern of entire Swiss community. The debates are also broadcast live, as Switzerland intends to refuse from the nuclear power stations, introducing alternative energy sources.
In his turn, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated that Ukrainian parliamentary delegation had a chance to watch the debates. "Suffering the consequences of Chornobyl disaster, we realize the significance of this resolution," he stated. V.Lytvyn informed that Ukraine has 15 nuclear units, which supply 52% of total electrical energy. "However, we suppose that nuclear safety is not a matter of concern of one country: even a non-nuclear state can not overlook the issues of nuclear safety," the Head of the Ukrainian Parliament stressed.
V.Lytvyn declared that experience of Ukraine contributes to the fruitful cooperation on closure of nuclear power units. He thanked the Swiss Party for participation in the Chornobyl Donor conference in Kyiv and its donation to Chornobyl recovery projects. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine informed that Ukraine accumulated EUR 600 million for Chornobyl recovery projects, while the total of UAH 740 million is required.
The Parties noted a high level of inter-parliamentary cooperation. "We welcome setting up of the Ukrainian-Swiss friendship group, which includes 68 Ukrainian deputies," V.Lytvyn stated. He expects that this group will work actively to develop a road map of cooperation between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the National Council of Switzerland.
V.Lytvyn invited the President of the National Council of Switzerland to make an official visit to Ukraine at his convenience.