Volodymyr
Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: The Goal
of Ukraine's Presidency over the OSCE is not
to lobby its Interests but
to strengthen Security and guarantee
Predictable Development of our Countries.
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Dimitris Christofias, President of the Republic of Cyprus.
The Head of the Ukrainian Parliament stated that Ukraine highly appreciates development of friendly and fruitful relations with the Republic of Cyprus. He hopes that traditions of friendship and cooperation between the states will strengthen and develop.
V. Lytvyn is convinced that the visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus will boost development of inter-state relations. "Establishment of contacts with the newly-elected parliament of Cyprus will improve friendly relations between the states," the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized. "Development of inter-parliamentary relations with the Republic of Cyprus is of special significance for the Ukrainian parliament."
Mr Dimitris Christofias informed that Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus opened in Kyiv, which "will improve understanding between our nations and develop relations with Ukraine in a new dimension." He also briefed on five general agreements which were signed and two agreements which are being drafted. He stated that the Republic of Cyprus supports Ukraine´s orientation towards European integration and will develop mutually profitable relations in the spheres of economy, culture and tourism. He suggested initiating the days of culture in Cyprus and Ukraine, and invited the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to visit the Republic of
Cyprus.
V. Lytvyn thanked Mr Christofias for the invitation and his appreciation of inter-parliamentary cooperation. He emphasized that groups of friendship shall develop new programs on inter-parliamentary cooperation. He also stressed that activity of the Ukrainian-Cyprian intergovernmental commission on economic, research, technical and humanitarian cooperation will facilitate development of economic cooperation.
The Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament called for enlarging the contractual basis of trade-economic relations, concluding the intergovernmental Convention on Prevention of Double Taxation of Income and Property and strengthening cooperation between the twin towns. He expressed contentment with the rate of cooperation in the humanitarian and culture spheres and supported the idea of holding the weeks of culture on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cyprus.
V. Lytvyn highly appreciated Cyprus´s support of Ukraine´s orientation
towards European integration.
According to him, our states need to discuss development of cooperation with
the European institutions. He assured the President of the Republic of Cyprus
that in 2013 Ukraine will use its Presidency over the OSCE not to lobby its interests
but to strengthen security and guarantee predictable development of our
countries.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine assured Mr. President in the willingness of Ukraine to assist Cyprus in regulation of any issues on the international level.