Deputy Chairperson of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk Initiates Preparation of the Memorandum of Strategic Partnership between the Verkhovna Rada and the US Congress. She stated this during her speech at the Kyiv Security Forum ‘12 points of the strategic partnership between the United States and Ukraine.’
According to her, Ukraine's relations with the United States should acquire and carry the status of exclusively strategic. She noted that 2021 is the year of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, proclaimed in the Verkhovna Rada, as well as the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the United States.
“Therefore, it would be deeply symbolic for 2021 to be a year of active implementation of our strategic partnership, in particular, the inter-parliamentary relations. And today, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence and Ukrainian-American relations, I want to initiate the preparation of a Memorandum of Strategic Partnership between the Verkhovna Rada and the US Congress,” Olena Kondratiuk said.
According to her, such a document will strengthen the Memorandum of Cooperation signed on June 15, 2017 in Washington between the highest legislative bodies of Ukraine and the United States and will give new impetus and outline the real steps of inter-parliamentary cooperation.
According to the Vice Speaker, the Verkhovna Rada of this convocation is able to take very serious steps in the systemic development of Ukrainian-American inter-parliamentary cooperation, which can become an example for the entire system of Ukrainian-American bilateral relations.
“The Verkhovna Rada and the US Congress must play a key role in countering the Russian aggressor, implementing an effective and strict sanctions policy until the complete liberation of Ukrainian land from the occupiers, including Crimea and part of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In providing Ukraine with a real Action Plan for NATO membership in the near future,” convinced Olena Kondratiuk.
According to the Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, it is very important to consolidate and synchronize joint efforts in order to implement and expand sanctions against the Russian Federation and support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state.
“It is also ensuring maximum consideration of Ukraine's interests in the process of agreeing by both chambers of the Congress on estimates and directions of assistance to Ukraine. Joint opposition to the construction of the Russian Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline and the adoption of legislation on targeted sanctions against companies involved in the implementation of this geopolitical rather than economic project,” said Olena Kondratiuk.
Taking the opportunity, the Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada also thanked the American partners for their consistent support in establishing Ukraine's independence, building democracy and anti-corruption bodies, and forming civil society.
She expressed special gratitude on behalf of the Parliament and the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada for the joint successful implementation of USAID RADA programs and projects on parliamentary reform.