15 June 2016, 12:00
At the meeting with President of the Senate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Ankie Broekers-Knol, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Andrii Parubii expressed hope that even the views of the skeptics would change in favor of Ukraine after deeper understanding of the current situation in the country and the fact that the Ukrainians do strive for the free world.
The participants in the meeting discussed the process of Ukraine's reformation, the issues of deepening of the interparliamentary cooperation, and the mechanisms to combine efforts to tackle the issue of the Ukraine - European Union Association Agreement.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada noted that recently, the relations with the Kingdom of the Netherlands have become closer. According to him, the European integration is the most important issue, the basic issue for our independence. Andrii Parubii noted that the tragedy that happened to the Dutch jetliner two years ago was a manifestation of the comprehensiveness of the threat posed by the Russian Federation not only to Ukraine but also to the whole free world.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada thanked Ukraine's European partners for their support since the times of the Revolution of Dignity.
Andrii Parubii highlighted the considerable importance of the Association Agreement for Ukraine. He said the signature of the Document was a symbolic action that helped Ukraine express its civilized choice. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada added that the stand of the Netherlands is also very important for Ukraine.
Andrii Parubii thanked the Dutch parliamentarians for their support in the issue of introduction of visa-free regime for Ukraine, and for the fact that the Parliament did not let putting the topic of the Association Agreement into question. He noted that Ukraine needs to feel the support of the world community.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada said that the Ukrainian people have carried the idea of the joining the European Union through all the challenges they have faced. He said that about 70% of the Ukrainian citizens support that choice and 95% express their support to the idea of independent Ukraine. He added that over 300 people's deputies are also eager to lead the country to Europe.
Andrii Parubii addressed the representatives of the Senate requesting to support the Association Agreement taking in consideration all the challenges the Ukrainians had passed the on their way to the European future.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada also noted that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is actively working on the draft laws required for further cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and reformation of Ukraine. He said that of the total of 14 top-priority draft laws, nine were adopted in first reading and four — in principle. "This gives ground to be optimistic," he said.
In turn, President of the Senate of the Netherlands Ankie Broekers-Knol expressed her support to the Ukrainians and noted that her visit would facilitate mutual respect and understanding. She also said that the Senate of the Netherlands condemns the actions of the Russian Federation that violates sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Speaking about the Association Agreement, she noted that the Document would facilitate the cooperation and relations between the two parliaments. Ankie Broekers-Knol assured that despite existing disagreement between the Dutch political parties, the Association Agreement will be supported.