Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Lytvyn: Parliaments of Ukraine and Malaysia should develop a Contractual Basis to boost Bilateral Cooperation
On Thursday, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Lytvyn met Chuah Teong Ban, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malaysia to Ukraine, who had presented credentials to the president of Ukraine in April 2011.
The Parties discussed inter-parliamentary cooperation between Ukraine and Malaysia and cooperation between the groups of friendship, development of political and economic dialogue, and interaction on the international arena.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine called for "restoring inter-parliamentary groups of friendship" to boost inter-parliamentary political dialogue between Ukraine and Malaysia. He believes that the parliaments should update and strengthen the legislative base of cooperation. He recommends signing the agreement on promotion and mutual protection of investments, concluding the convention on prevention of double tax, and arranging free movement of visitors to Ukraine and Malaysia.
The head of the Ukrainian parliament called for boosting cooperation in the sphere of science, culture, and education. To cooperate in the economic sector, V. Lytvyn suggested setting up "a business council and a trade-economic cooperation committee." It will extend the area of cooperation in the sphere of aircraft construction, aerospace sector, power engineering, and agricultural sphere.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malaysia to Ukraine stated that his country, which occupies the 18th place in trade, is interested in developing commercial, economic, and tourist relations with Ukraine. He called for creating a legal framework to prevent double tax, protect investments, and introduce a visa-free regime for Malaysian citizens.
Among the factors impeding development of trade-economic relations Mr Chuah Teong Ban singled out low promotion of Ukraine in the foreign markets, lack of a direct flight route between the countries, and a visa regime. However, he informed that Ukrainians are subject to a thirty-day visa-free regime in Malaysia. Malaysian government is considering prolongation of this period.
Mr Chuah Teong Ban highly appreciated the level of technological equipment of Ukraine which allows cooperation in various economic spheres, especially in biotechnologies. He stated that it is development of biotechnologies that made Malaysia one of the developed countries. The Ambassador believes that this area offers great opportunities for cooperation, particularly on the basis of the agricultural sector of Zhytomyr region.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malaysia to Ukraine invited the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to make an official visit to Malaysia.
V. Lytvyn accepted the invitation, having stated, "there is a cooperation action plan which should be implemented." "Ukrainian parliament and I personally are oriented at the practical approach," he stressed.