Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: All the Documents with the European Union should envisage European Prospects
On Wednesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, took part in the 35th Meeting of the Economic, Commercial, Technological and Environmental Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation.
Addressing the participants of the meeting, V.Lytvyn stated that political situation in Ukraine is determinate: "The President, the Parliament and the executive power (the Cabinet of Ministers) have established cooperation." It facilitates normalization of relations with the neighbouring countries, especially the Russian Federation.
The Head of the Parliament admitted that every country "pursuits its pragmatic aims." "However, the issue of cooperation can not be reduced to the talks about ever-lasting brotherly friendship," he stated. "Every country has its own interests, but wisdom and responsibility should prevail. Mentality, history and traditions are definitely taken into account and underlie our policy."
He claimed that Ukraine was engaged in an active dialogue with the European Union, "three documents being worked upon: the agreement on political association, the agreement of a free trade zone and the visa-free regime action plan." The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine objects to using the principle "to reach any agreements on any terms." "It is quality, not quantity that matters. We insist that all the documents should envisage European prospects," he declared.
A full version of the speech is available at http://chairman.rada.gov.ua/chairman7/control/uk/index