On Tuesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Ektor Timerman, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of the Republic of Argentina.
In the beginning
of the meeting, V. Lytvyn laid emphasis on friendly
and cordial
relations between the states, declaring that the Republic
of Argentina had always supported Ukraine
"during the difficult periods
of state-building." According
to him, Argentina
is the only
state of Northern and Southern
America that recognized Ukrainian People's Republic as a free and independent
state in 1921, and
one of the
first world states to recognize Ukraine´s independence
in 1991.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada expressed his gratitude to Argentina for its attention to the needs of the Ukrainian community, confirming that the diaspora has all the opportunities to fulfill their potential in professional sphere and preserve Ukrainian traditions and culture.
According to V. Lytvyn, Ukraine highly appreciates participation of Argentinean delegation, headed by the Minister, in the events dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Chornobyl disaster.
He also mentioned that disaster in Japan "makes Chornobyl issue more essential." The Head of the Parliament stated that completion of construction of a new protective envelope is vital for Ukraine. "I believe that our common efforts will bring the situation under control", declared V. Lytvyn.
According to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, the area around Chornobyl nuclear power plant should become a scientific research center to investigate the influence of radiation on the environment.
The
Parties discussed the state
and perspectives of nuclear energy
development,
taking into consideration possible rejection of this
source of energy.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship discussed the issues of inter-parliamentary cooperation, calling for strengthening of parliamentary relations.
V. Lytvyn also stressed the importance of interaction between the parliamentary friendship groups to draw up a plan of systemic inter-regional cooperation.
On behalf of the National Congress of Argentina E. Timerman invited V. Lytvyn to visit the Republic of Argentine. Volodymyr Lytvyn responded that the Ukrainian Parliament is always ready to accept the Argentinean delegation.