29 December 2008, 10:56
On Monday, within the scope of the working visit to the Russian Federation, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Boris Gryzlov, Speaker of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russia Federation.
At the beginning of the meeting, B.Gryzlov congratulated V.Lytvyn on his election to the post of a Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
The Speaker of the State Duma stated that current Ukrainian-Russian relations, including those at the inter-parliamentary level, "failed to be in the best condition". "At present we should restore and extend such relations", - said B.Gryzlov.
The Speaker of the State Duma considers the following issues as problematic: prospects of Ukraine's accession to the NATO, Ukraine's support of Georgia in the Russian-Georgian conflict, the issues of Holodomor, stay of the Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine, and a number of economic issues.
In his turn, the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine suggested that all the issues be practically settled. V.Lytvyn stated that Ukrainian society was greatly concerned with Ukrainian-Russian relations.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated that restoration of activity of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission on Liaison between The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation should become a starting point in activization of bilateral relations. V.Lytvyn stated that the Commission had not held its meetings for two years, and suggested that its eighth meeting be held in the middle of January in 2009. The Russian Party upheld the motion of the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and suggested that the meeting be held in Moscow.
V.Lytvyn dwelled upon the issues concerning Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. He stated that Ukraine's accession to the NATO failed to be urgent and of priority for Ukrainian citizens. The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine believes that Ukraine should support its neutral stand. "I am convinced that security of the country is first of all presupposed by relations with its neighbours. If they are effective, it will presuppose country's security, - he stated. - Under the conditions of the recession, our countries should demonstrate sincere friendship and support".
The Parties also exchanged their experience concerning fighting financial and economic crisis at the legislative level, and discussed a wide range of humanitarian issues.
As far as the issue concerning Ukraine's delivery of weapon to Georgia was concerned, V.Lytvyn stated that The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine set up a corresponding Panel that presented a public report concerning investigation of the situation. The report was forwarded to the law-enforcement bodies, so that the situation was properly investigated.