On Thursday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met President of Croatia Ivo Josipović.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated that the visit of the Ukrainian parliamentary delegation "confirms the willingness and intention to develop the multi-faceted relations."
The Parties discussed a wide range of issues concerning bilateral economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
The Head of the Parliament declared that Ukraine was willing to develop bilateral cooperation within "The Strategy of the European Union for the Danube Region" that includes Croatia. "Every country of the Danube Region should raise above its own interests, and think about the common responsibility," he stated.
Croatia is reported to express its interest in the development of the comprehensive single policy regarding the Danube Region to enhance efficient use of the Danube River as one of the main arteries of Europe. Croatia is trying to become a link between the Danube and the Adriatic Regions. The Croatian Party initiated holding of the international conference dedicated to "The Strategy of the European Union for the Danube Region" in the town of Vukovar in April, 2011.
The Parties also discussed the issue of European integration. The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine informed that Ukraine had fostered the dialogue at all the levels, and expects conclusion of the agreements on association and the free trade zone, and implementation of the Visa-Free Regime Action Plan with the EU member nations.
V.Lytvyn appreciates the experience of Croatia in the harmonization of domestic laws with the EU standards. He declared that the Ukrainian Party was willing to establish an active inter-parliamentary cooperation.
In his turn, the President of Croatia stated that the Croatians aimed not only at the accession to the EU, but also at the development of friendly relations with other states, including Ukraine. I.Josipović called for boosting bilateral trade-economic relations, stating that commodity circulation between the countries totaled EUR 66 million last year. He also called for developing cooperation in the tourist sector, and extending cultural and scientific ties. "Trust and friendship is the foundation of good cooperation," he stressed.
The Head of the Parliament believes that cooperation in the transport, energy, and construction sectors is promising. He also sees a wide field for cooperation in the military-technical sphere. "I expect the Ukrainian-Croatian Inter-Governmental Panel to pass the resolution concerning actions in this area," he stated.
The Parties believe that sittings of the Ukrainian-Croatian Inter-Governmental Panel on trade-economic cooperation will boost bilateral cooperation, fostering economic, cultural and academic contacts. V.Lytvyn deems necessary to fix the date for the fifth sitting of the Inter-Governmental Panel, and appoint a co-chairman from the Croatian Party.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine attaches great importance to the development of inter-regional cooperation. He informed that the agreement on cooperation is going to be signed between 8 regions of Ukraine and counties (županija) of Croatia.
I. Josipović and V.Lytvyn called for revising the visa regime. According to the Head of the Parliament, "our common resolution on a visa-free regime for the period of summer holidays only is not sufficient." He believes that introduction of a visa-free regime "will lift the barriers and improve communication between the nations."
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine calls for boosting bilateral relations in the humanitarian sector. He suggested holding the Days of Culture in Croatia and Ukraine. "It will enrich the roots of our relations," he stated.
V.Lytvyn requested the President of Croatia to support construction of the Ukrainian House in the town of Vukovar "a center of Ukrainian culture, and a place of communication of the Ukrainian community." In his turn, I. Josipović reassured that policy aimed at public assistance is one of the most important aspects of governance. He promised to assist in this matter.
V.Lytvyn invited the President of the Republic of Croatia to visit Ukraine and attend the events under the aegis of the United Nations on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Chornobyl disaster. "These events will help us understand that political battles and debates may be important, although protection of the environment is the key issue," he stressed.
The parliamentary delegation staying in Croatia includes People´s Deputies Oksana Bilozir, Serhii Hrynevetskyi, Petro Melnyk, and rector of Kyiv Taras Shevchenko National University Leonid Huberskyi.