“Ukraine considers Spain one of the key partners in Europe and is interested in the development of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in all spheres of mutual interest,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed during the meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Spain to Ukraine Jose Rodriguez Moyano on Thursday.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada deems that after the parliamentary elections and forming of new Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine it is high time to activate bilateral political dialogue on the all levels.
Volodymyr Rybak said that the determination the dates of the official visit of the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych to Spain is very important, as it would give new impetus to further development of cooperation between our countries. “As we know, this visit was postponed twice by the Spanish side during 2011 for objective reasons,” he said.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada stated also that the Ukrainian side is interested in further development of inter-parliamentary component of bilateral relations, speaking on the restoring of full operation of the respective friendship groups in parliaments of our countries. Volodymyr Rybak informed that the people’s deputies of Ukraine submitted already 21 applications for membership in the group of friendship with Spain.
“As the newly-elected Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine I am ready to contribute personally to the bringing of inter-parliamentary dialogue between the two countries on a new level, which would correspond to the interests of both Ukraine and Spain,” Volodymyr Rybak stated.
Volodymyr Rybak noted that for Ukraine Spanish experience of bringing national legislation in line with European standards, anti-corruption experience and reforming of social sphere are very interesting.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada expressed also his gratitude to Spanish diplomats, parliamentarians and deputies of the European Parliament for their participations in observing the elections to the Ukrainian Parliament last year.
Volodymyr Rybak expressed his satisfaction with the positive trend of increase of bilateral trade in 2012 and emphasized on the existence of potential for the development of trade and economic cooperation.
In his turn, Ambassador stated that there is a considerable potential for the development of bilateral relations in the economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres. The Leader of the diplomatic mission stated also that Spanish deputies are interested in activation of inter-parliamentary component of Ukrainian-Spanish relations, and broadening of cooperation with Ukrainian colleges.
Speaking on the issues of European integration, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada stressed that Ukraine is interested in maintaining high dynamics of political dialogue with the European Union and is making consistent efforts to ensure further progress in the reforming process, particularly in areas where the EU attention is focused.
“We are interested in earliest signing of the Association Agreement and its coming into force. Conclusion of the Association Agreement will be the best incentive for Ukraine from the point of view of further comprehensive reforms, strengthening of democratic development and the rule of law,” Volodymyr Rybak said. “We would be grateful to the Spanish side for the support of Ukraine's rapprochement with the European Union and the simplification of the visa regime for Ukrainian citizens”
Ambassador stated that Spain "is interested in a strong democratic Ukraine." According to him, Ukraine is a "great European state" and "Europe can not be imagined without Ukraine." Jose Rodriguez Moyano noted that Spain supports the European aspirations of our country.