On Monday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament.
The President of the European Parliament stays in Ukraine with an official visit on invitation of the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
H-G. Pöttering stated that he felt "strong leaning" towards Ukraine. "It is a great honour for me to deliver a speech at The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, - he stated. The 6th of April will become a memorable date in the relations between our Parliament and The Verkhovna Rada". The President of the European Parliament expressed his certitude that negotiations within the scope of his official visit would facilitate further development of relations between Ukraine and the European Union.
The Parties discussed a number of issues appertaining to the Euro-integration pursuits of Ukraine, drafting of the Agreement of Associated Membership, launching a free trade zone with the EU and prospects of introducing visa-free regime.
The participants devoted special attention to the "Eastern Partnership" initiative of the European Union that should cover six countries-EU neighbours: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus and was ratified by the European Council. Thus, according to H-G. Pöttering, the Constituent Summit of the "Eastern Partnership" with the participation of the leaders of EU member-countries and partner States will be held on 7 May in Prague
V.Lytvyn deems necessary for Ukraine and the EU to work jointly over the settlement of crucial issues, especially, concerning simplification of visa regime.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed the importance of "filling the idea of the "Eastern Partnership" with pragmatic sense". Thus, representatives of parliamentary profile Committees of the "Eastern Partnership" participating States will be held on 13 April 2009 in Kyiv in order "to boost the activity in such a pursuit".
In his turn, H-G. Pöttering expressed his hopes that Ukraine would be of primary importance in the "Eastern Partnership". He also stated that Europe wished that Ukraine and Russia were on good terms based "on the principles of self-determination, democracy and supremacy of Law".