The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Press Secretary of the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Report for Mass Media
16 June 2008
Arseniy Yatseniuk, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met the NATO Secretary General and attended the meeting of the North Atlantic Council delegation with the chairmen of profile parliamentary committees and leaders of deputy factions.
At the bilateral meeting Arseniy Yatseniuk, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary-General, discussed a number of issues. They dwelled upon political situation in Ukraine. The leader of Ukrainian parliament assured Jaap de Hoop Scheffer that "Ukraine is deeply interested in an open dialogue with the NATO".
«Present structure of Ukrainian parliament reflects the structure of Ukrainian nation. You can hear diverse opinions. And this is democracy, as we call it", - stated Arseniy Yatseniuk. He believes that Ukraine has already passed the stage of a rather complicated situation at the Parliament that concerned Ukraine´s membership in the NATO.
«Ukrainian parliament adopted a Resolution, pursuant to which a referendum has to be held in case Ukraine should adopt a decision concerning signing the Agreement with the NATO», - explained Arseniy Yatseniuk.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expressed his hopes that the meeting of North Atlantic Council delegation with the chairmen of profile parliamentary committees and leaders of deputy factions will bear positive influence on the bilateral relations between Ukraine and the NATO.
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary-General, recalled the history of relations between Ukraine and the NATO that embraces more than 10 years of partnership. He also commented on the democratic processes at the Ukrainian parliament.
According to Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, after Bucharest Summit, Ukraine and the NATO are entering into the period of intensified dialogue and cooperation. «Still, I would like to underscore that Ukraine can become a member of the NATO only with assent of the Ukrainian nation. I believe that the visit of the representatives of the North Atlantic Council will be mutually beneficial", -stated Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.