On Wednesday, in the framework of the official visit to the Republic of Croatia, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met representatives of the Ukrainian and Ruthenian diasporas.
V. Lytvyn informed about the meetings held in the framework of the visit, emphasizing that Europe "shall be integral, play the role of a global player, and provide counterbalance, which is impossible without Ukraine." "Ukraine will always be in the European community, though we shall make a lot of homework now", he explained.
Representatives of the Ukrainian and Ruthenian diaspora deem necessary to arrange the conditions for studying modern Ukrainian language, improve its teaching, and set up creative unions. According to the diaspora representatives, one of the most essential tasks is building of the Ukrainian Center in Croatia that would become a heart of the Ukrainian culture, education and art.
V. Lytvyn agreed with the necessity to solve the said problems. The Head of the Parliament emphasized that on the present stage of Ukrainian independence history, when "we have managed to achieve a lot though failed to preserve necessary speed, it is necessary to focus on the internal decoration of the state." "Attitude towards the diaspora will depend upon the level of Ukraine. The supreme level of its development will strengthen the importance of diaspora", the Head of the Parliament believes.
V. Lytvyn also stated that to build a powerful state, we need "conciliation within the state", vision of principal problems solution, such as pension reform, land inventory and social reformation to protect the citizens.
The Head of the Verkhovna Rada emphasized that politicians shall also act "in line with one direction, performing the best model of our state development, and considering the opinion of the minority." He is convinced that it is inadmissible to "foul one´s own nest and discuss inertial problems of the state on the global level. Conversation shall be held within the state", he stressed.
"We failed to comprehend Ukraine but we need to learn it, its traditions and customs, we shall be aware of the Ukrainian role in global processes, in Europe, in particular", V. Lytvyn declared. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada called for promoting the history of Ukraine, and translating it into European languages with relevant comments and references. "It will facilitate understanding of the European heart of Ukraine, its role, mission and perspectives", he believes.
Discussing the problem of Ukrainian language preservation, V. Lytvyn emphasized, "The language should be competitive to survive." "It should be the language of informatics, culture, high technologies and literature", he stated.