On Tuesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn,
Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met President of the European
Parliament Jerzy Buzek in
Strasbourg.
In the beginning of the meeting, V.Lytvyn informed about the festivities dedicated to the celebration of the World Day of Polonia and Poles living abroad held in Ukraine. The President of the European Parliament stated, "Our nations are closely connected, and your account bears witness to it."
Ukrainian-Polish relations are at the highest point of practical effectiveness, V.Lytvyn stated. He stressed that celebration of the World Day of Polonia was a real holiday. "I have seen a lot of holidays, but they were rather formal. However, the latest festivities were a joyful communication," stated the Head of the Parliament.
The Parties discussed launch of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, which held its constitutive assembly on May 2-3, 2011. V.Lytvyn expressed his gratitude to the European Parliament President for his efforts aimed at the launch of the Eastern Partnership parliamentary component. In his turn, J.Buzek credited both parties.
J.Buzek expressed his content with the cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union on liberalization of the visa regime, and negotiations concerning the association and free trade zone agreements. He expects positive results at least in form of the association agreement by the end of the year. The European Parliament President highly appreciated the fact that Ukraine understands the importance of coordinating actions in the process of integration into the European institutions. However, he questioned the possibility of Ukraine´s accession to the Customs Union. "Undoubtedly, it will be your decision, but EU would like to be closer to Ukraine," stated J.Buzek.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine declared that Ukrainian authorities have a clear goal European integration, which was confirmed in the President´s address on the Victory Day. However, V.Lytvyn stated that it was a political choice of Ukraine, whereas Russia offered economic benefits within the Customs Union.
"This year is critical for Ukraine: either the mentioned documents that fix the European prospects of Ukraine are signed, or political enthusiasm will slow down," stressed V.Lytvyn. "Feasible results of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU will prevent any hesitations in the foreign policy."
According to J. Buzek, Ukraine "shall find its place, so economic element is utterly important." He assured Volodymyr Lytvyn that Ukraine may expect full assistance of its European integration on the part of the European Parliament. J. Buzek admitted that despite certain problems, Ukraine managed to reach stability. He greeted V. Lytvyn with the recent achievements, and emphasized that they are "quite feasible."
During the meeting of Volodymyr Lytvyn
with Martin Schulz, President of the Political Group of the Progressive
Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, the Parties
also discussed European perspectives of Ukraine.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada hopes that Ukraine-EU relations will yield practical results. He expects the action plan on visa-free regime between Ukraine and the EU to be implemented this year.
In his turn, M. Schulz declared that the European Parliament "has been closely watching the east and south of Europe, although recently it has set its eyes on the east." He expects the Polish Chair of the Committee of Ministers to the Parliamentary Assembly to facilitate integration of Ukraine into the European community. M. Schultz considers sitting of the trilateral Parliamentary Assembly of Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland with participation of Jerzy Buzek to be "a milestone event."
The Parties also discussed perspectives of the Euronest PA. V. Lytvyn declared that Ukraine considers the Eastern Partnership as an additional advantage to the contacts between Ukraine and the EU. "We are perfectly aware of our domestic problems, but if Ukraine-EU cooperation is turned into the reminder of these problems, there will be no dynamics", declared V. Lytvyn.
According to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukrainian authorities are trying to change situation in different social spheres. However, the resolutions on essential issues such as land matters and pension reform shall be passed by the end of the year, since the parliamentary elections shall be held next year. He stressed that the situation requires dialogue within the state and between Ukraine and the EU.
As it was reported before, the Sitting of the Bureau of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Sejm and Senate of the Republic of Poland is being held in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.