Hans-Gert Pottering, President of the European Parliament, delivered a Speech at the Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
06 April 2009, 17:15
The official visit of Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament, was in progress on 6 April 2009.
Within the scope of the visit, Hans-Gert Pöttering delivered a speech at the extraordinary plenary meeting of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov, First Vice-Prime-Minister of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, Head of the Party of Regions Deputy Faction. Hans-Gert Pöttering also met representatives of European business associations and took part in a round table discussion with the participation of the representatives of non-governmental organizations.
Speaking
before Ukrainian parliament members, Hans-Gert Pöttering stated that the
European Union considered Ukraine as a strategically important neighbour, as
"Ukraine´s population, size, resources and geographical position
turned the country into a significant regional factor".
The President of the European Parliament deems necessary to strengthen political and commercial connections between the European Union and Ukraine, discover new opportunities for cooperation in the fields of power engineering, transport, customs matters, etc.
According to the President of the European Parliament, Ukraine is the first country in the region involved in the negotiations with the European Union concerning the Association Agreement, which not only extends economic integration, envisages creation of a free trade zone and visa-free regime, but also grants considerable privileges for Ukrainian citizens. Moreover, the Agreement substantially strengthens political association between Ukraine and the European Union.
The President of the European Parliament drew special attention to the growing importance of the European Parliament and The Verkhovna Rada in the development of closer relations between the European Union and Ukraine. He appreciated activity of the Committee on Cooperation between the European Union and Ukrainian Parliament, and stated that a new Parliamentary Assembly for Relations between Neighbouring States (EURONEST) would be set up after the elections to the European Parliament in June.
The President of the European Parliament dwelled upon the issues concerning stability and security at the European continent and noted that "the global financial crisis has greatly affected Ukraine".
According to the reporter, at the recent meeting of the Group of Twenty (G-20) in London, stabilization of the international financial system and implementation of reforms to reduce the possibility of further instability were determined as a common task of the members of international community.
The President of the European Parliament drew attention of the participants to the fact that the gas conflict between Ukraine and Russia became a matter of concern of the European Union and led to the revision of entire energy policy of the European Union.
Hans-Gert Pöttering deems necessary that the European Union and Ukraine elaborate a common strategy concerning energy security in compliance with the Energy Charter, i.e. securing openness and transparency in the access to the markets, infrastructure and investments. On 23 April 2009, the European Commission and Ukrainian Government will hold a conference on investments to the restoration and modernization of Ukrainian gas-transport system.
The reporter also deems necessary that Ukraine "holds a constitutional reform to distribute competence between the branches of authority in compliance with the guidelines of the Venetian Commission", as well as strengthen supremacy of Law, implement judicial reform and secure independence of judges.
The President of the European Parliament deems necessary to commemorate the anniversary of Holodomor and stated that the European Parliament adopted a relevant Resolution in the end of October 2008.
Concluding his speech, the President of the European Parliament stressed that Ukrainians "are not alone, we all live in a single Europe, we are united by a single vision, we have common roots, values and principles of solidarity".