On Wednesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Tadateru Konoé, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Mr V.Lytvyn expressed his gratitude to Mr T.Konoé for the self-sacrificing activity for the sake of social public support and healthcare. "Today, humanitarian and charity programs are becoming strongly sought-for, so we are looking forward to extending our cooperation," V.Lytvyn stated. He stressed that "The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will become an ally of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, supporting its legislative framework."
Mr T.Konoé emphasized that the Ukrainian Red Cross Society
set a good example for the societies of the former USSR. He drew attention to the
importance of the governmental support of its activity. "Humanitarian issues
arising in the societies require governmental support, as the lack of sustainable
support on the part of the Government impedes realization of the humanitarian
projects," he admitted. Mr Tadateru Konoé informed that the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies would continue the project of humanitarian
support to the victims of Chornobyl disaster till 2015. He reminded that
cooperation in this area has lasted since 1986.
The President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies expressed his gratitude to the Ukrainian Party for its assistance in holding the International Council with the leaders of 12 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. Its attendants will discuss strengthening of the capacities of the national societies, and cooperation with the governmental organizations to settle the pressing humanitarian issues.
Mr V.Lytvyn believes that such non-political non-governmental organizations as the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will be in-demand. He admitted that becoming more perfect, the world also faces new challenges: the number of people with disabilities grows; the number of the pensioners and the employed in Ukraine is almost equal. "We face the necessity of establishing foster services," V.Lytvyn claimed. He expects that cooperation between such non-governmental organizations and governmental institutions will develop.