On Thursday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine,
met Shimon Peres, President
of Israel.
"It is a great honour for us that you made time to visit the Ukrainian Parliament," V.Lytvyn declared. "Ukraine has always followed your speeches and your stance, as it is full of political and worldly wisdom."
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine believes that the past and the present force the countries to extend the relations in different branches.
V.Lytvyn stated that the Ukrainian Party was willing to foster fruitful sustainable inter-parliamentary relations with Israel. He supposed that the exchange of visits between
the Heads of the Parliament would be an important element of the
inter-parliamentary cooperation. He also asked to convey the invitation to Knesset
Speaker Reuven Rivlin on
his behalf.
The President of the State of Israel declared that Ukraine "has a great future", and "there is a collective will for Ukraine to become a part of a new democratic world."
"We consider Ukraine as our actual place of birth," he stated, expressing gratitude to the Ukrainian people, who gave the opportunity for the Jews residing in Ukraine "to lead their lifestyle and speak their native language." "A visit to Ukraine is a visit to the chapters of our history," Shimon Peres stated.
Sh. Peres informed that 400 thousand Ukrainian-born people were residing in Israel.
"We consider Ukraine as a friendly country," the President of the State of Israel declared. "The meetings held during the visit confirm its friendly stance."
The Parties discussed the development of the trade-economic relations, and further cooperation in the cultural-humanitarian sector.
The Parties focused on the cooperation in the scientific and technological sector. "We share your opinion that the world should develop due to the science, "the economy of knowledge"," V.Lytvyn stated. The Parties also attach great importance to the restoration of such universal values as conscience, morality and responsibility.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine declared that the Ukrainian people kept memory of the Babi Yar tragedy. He calls for preparing a common program of commemorating the 70th anniversary of the tragedy.
The Parties also raised the question of pensions to be paid to the citizens of Ukraine permanently residing in Israel. V.Lytvyn stated that although the issue "has only economic implications", the financial and economic recession impeded its settlement. He assured that this matter would be analyzed in the light of the present-day situation.