Chairman A.Parubiy meets Sri Lanka friendship delegation headed by Ashu Marasinghe
27 September 2018, 13:00
“Parliamentary diplomacy paves the way for much closer ties between the countries,” – Andriy Parubiy at a meeting of the Sri Lanka parliamentary friendship group
The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy met on Thursday with a delegation of the Sri Lanka parliamentary friendship group with Ukraine, headed by the Head of the Delegation, a Member of the Parliament, and Deputy Governmental Representative at the Sri Lankan Parliament Hon. (Prof.) Ashu Marasinghe.
At the beginning of the meeting, the head of the Ukrainian parliament stressed that the cooperation between the two countries has significantly intensified in recent years. He also reminded that during a recent - "very warm" - meeting with the speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament, it was agreed to establish a friendship group between the parliaments of both countries.
Greeting the newly formed Sri Lankan friendship group, headed by Oksana Bilozir, MP, A.Parubiy emphasized that the Verkhovna Rada has been making great efforts to develop parliamentary diplomacy. "I am confident that parliamentary diplomacy drives closer relations between the countries," he said.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada marked it quite positively this summer friendship group’s visit to Sri Lanka, seeing the local petroleum refineries and the processes of gas extraction. "I am convinced that we do have prospects of cooperation both in the energy and industrial spheres," he said, adding: "We also expect that Sri Lanka’s position in supporting Ukraine will become far solider".
A.Parubiy noted that Ukraine is forced to repel the Russian aggression and defend Ukraine's independence fighting every day. He expressed confidence that the visit of the Sri Lankan delegation to Ukraine would lead to better understanding of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people: "Our common stand in international organizations will be firmer and solider against the Russian aggressor".
In turn, Ashu Marasinghe also hopes for closer cooperation with both the Parliament and the Government of Ukraine, in particular in the areas of modernizing oil refining capacities and developing deposits in Sri Lanka. He also offered to share experience in fighting against corruption and re-adaptation of war-torn regions to peaceful life. As regards the occupied territories of Ukraine, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada noted that they must be adapted to normal life, therefore "this experience will be very valuable, as well as for Ukraine, cooperation in the energy sphere is also important”.
A.Parubiy said that the possibility of introducing a peacekeeping mission to the east of the country, which could return peace to the occupied territories, is now under consideration.
The head of the parliament is convinced that "the mutual discussion seems to be able to obtain a more goal-oriented character, which will become stronger between the two countries," thanks, in particular, to the efforts of the head of the Sri Lanka friendship group Oksana Bilozir, who "has strong contacts for cooperation with the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, as well as with the Presidential Administration".
The Ukrainian politician also wished the delegates to get further acquaintance with Ukraine and its people.