Volodymyr Lytvyn: The Visit of Pal Schmitt, President of the Republic of Hungary, to Ukraine will strengthen our Fruitful Relations
On Friday, Volodymyr Lytvyn,
Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Pal
Schmitt, President of the Republic
of Hungary.
The participants of the meeting discussed bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Hungary, strengthening of cooperation between the groups of friendship, and organization of the summit of the Eastern Europe states in May, 2011.
V.Lytvyn supposes that visit of P. Schmitt "will foster our fruitful relations." He admits that "different problems are not the point it is necessary to understand and settle them."
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine declared that the Parliament was working upon the state budget for 2011 to be adopted by 24 December. It is necessary to consider several complicated issues, such as the pension reform. V.Lytvyn stressed, "The Parliament´s work is stable despite the unpleasant outbreak of political activity on Thursday."
The Head of the Parliament stated that a great number of populist laws was another problem of Ukraine, as their implementation required two budgets of the country. He called for regulating the social basis. Thus, Chernivtsi region is going to hold the experiment, monetizing the privileges in the form of a free travel in public transport. The state is allocating target-oriented subsidies to the budgets of the local councils, which "gives rise to parasitic companies." "Support shall become targeted," he emphasized.
In his turn, P. Schmitt declared his support of the Ukrainian Parliament "that is under enormous pressure due to the governmental
reforms, especially in the judicial branch, on the eve of adoption of the budget." He laid emphasis on the improvement of economic
situation in Ukraine.
Commenting upon the political confrontations in the parliaments of different countries, the President of the Republic of Hungary suggested drafting the code of conduct and the protocol to regulate similar cases. On returning to Hungary, he will initiate adoption of a similar code in the Hungarian Parliament to prevent the conflicts.
P. Schmitt reminded that Hungary was taking over the chairmanship in the European Union in 14 days. He stated, "Since that moment, actions should replace words." "We must demonstrate a serious attitude towards cooperation with Ukraine within the Eastern Partnership, good neighbourliness and the European community," he declared. "We expect liberalization of the visa regime and are looking forward towards signing of the free trade zone agreement." The President of the Republic of Hungary lays hopes on the Summit to be held in Budapest on 26 May, with the participation of all the Eastern Europe countries, the EU member states and the USA. P. Schmitt invited V.M.Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, to attend this high level meeting.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine hopes that "the summit will yield expected results." He stated, "Key points of political and psychological importance should be determined." He singled out the matters of culture and spirituality of the national minorities. The President of the Republic of Hungary requested that the representatives of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, which counts 120 thousand people, could use the Hungarian language to enroll to the Ukrainian higher education establishments. V.Lytvyn informed that the request had ben referred to the Committee on Culture and Spirituality.
The Head of the Parliament is concerned with "xenophobic and racist moods in the society, which requires surgical intervention to settle the national matters." He also expects the Hungarians to master the Ukrainian language. "There should be a language of interethnic communication," he stressed.
V.Lytvyn hopes that energy supply issue will be settled during the chairmanship
of Hungary in the EU. As a country of transit, Ukraine
should participate in the negotiations.
P. Schmitt stressed, "Ukraine is more progressive than some European states in the use of alternative energy sources solar, wind and atomic power." He believes that Ukraine should no longer be looked upon as "a country with a big gas pipe." "Europe should get energy from your sources," P. Schmitt stated. "Europe should review its relations with Ukraine. The areas of cooperation in the atomic power engineering include education, professional trainings, etc."
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine reminded of the potential use of land to produce biofuel, windpower and waste conversion. "A step-by-step action plan should be developed," he stated.