“Ukraine is fully prepared to enhance and intensify inter-parliamentary cooperation with Switzerland,” – D. Razumkov
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov met with President of the Swiss Confederation Simonetta Sommaruga.
Dmytro Razumkov rated the cooperation between Ukraine and Switzerland very high and then underlined that he did look forward to a continued collaboration in the future.
The Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada also thanked Switzerland for the humanitarian support to people living in the conflict zone in the east of the country and for the support to Ukraine at the international level.
Dmytro Razumkov referred to Ukraine’s success in its adopting the unique experience of Switzerland in some areas and then notified that the Parliament is presently considering a referendum law, which is just a starter in the sequence of legislative acts aimed to expand democracy and the rule of people in Ukraine.
The Speaker then stressed that it is utterly significant and even vital for Ukraine to carry out reforms, in particular in the field of decentralization, and it is equally important to support business and attract investments. In his opinion, this will also be vastly facilitated by productive cooperation between parliaments of both countries, in particular, at the level of parliamentary friendship groups.
"The Ukrainian Parliament is ready and open to cooperation, and we will do our utmost to move forward. By our concerted efforts we will be able to do a lot for the benefit of our states," the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada emphasized.
In turn, President of the Swiss Confederation Simonetta Sommaruga underscored it as a matter of fact that Ukraine is positively combating corruption and establishing an independent judiciary system, and she then assured of her readiness to help find avenues to attract further investments. She also offered assistance in drafting democracy-building legislation.
Simonetta Sommaruga stressed that the Swiss Confederation has advocated and continues to advocate a peaceful solution of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and has always condemned Russia's abrupt actions towards occupying the Crimea.
She also expressed the hope for the development of contacts between the parliamentary friendship groups of the two countries and assured Ukraine of further humanitarian assistance to both sides astride the demarcation line through the agency of the OSCE.
"Reforms can only be accomplished through joint efforts and synergy, and the Parliament is a good tool for implementing this policy," Swiss President highlighted in conclusion.