06 April 2009, 17:21
ON MONDAY, THE 6TH OF APRIL, THE EXTRAODRDINARY PLENARY MEETING OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE WAS HELD
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Volodymyr Lytvyn at the beginning of the meeting announced on the decision of the Conciliation Council to held the extraordinary plenary meeting.
The Chairman announced that on 11 a.m., the President of European Parliament Hans Gert Pöttering would take floor in the Verkhovna Rada.
The Chairman has informed that the Delegation of the European Parliament, Rapporteurs of the PACE and NATO PA.
Because of the meetings of V. Lytvyn with the Heads of the Delegations, the plenary meeting was held by O. Lavrynovych, First Vice-Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
The People´s Deputies have scrutinized the Resolution "On Address of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the Congress of the United States of America".
On the Resolution informed Ivan Kyrylenko. The document reads that "the said Address was approved and forwarded due to extraordinary circumstances surrounding the final stage of a long-lasting process launched by the conclusion of the Agreement between Ukraine and the United States concerning assistance rendered to Ukraine to eliminate strategic nuclear weapon and prevent the spread of mass-destruction weapons of 25 October 1993".
The document reads that "the said Address was approved and forwarded due to extraordinary circumstances surrounding the final stage of a long-lasting process launched by the conclusion of the Agreement between Ukraine and the United States concerning assistance rendered to Ukraine to eliminate strategic nuclear weapon and prevent the spread of mass-destruction weapons of 25 October 1993".
"Ukrainian-American cooperation was productive and responsible. However, in May 2003, notwithstanding the validity of the Agreement of 25 October 1993, the American Party unilaterally declared suspension of financial support", - reads the Address.
Under current conditions, The Verkhovna Rada states that "the USA still fails to fund the process of propellant utilization".
The Parliament members believe that satisfaction of the said need will correspond to the principles of strategic partnership between Ukraine and the USA and secure full-fledged realization of commitments concerning elimination of nuclear weapon in Ukraine.
Hence, The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine addresses the Congress of the United States of America with a request to settle the matter concerning funding in order to secure completion of propellant utilization and realization of all actions aimed at elimination of nuclear weapon in Ukraine, in compliance with the Agreement of 25 October 1993.
Verkhovna Rada has adopted the Address by 379 votes.
Next, Parliamentarians have scrutinized the issues on the pre-termed local elections and adopted corresponding decisions.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the Resolution "On Guidelines of the Parliamentary Hearings "Current Conditions and Prospects of Development of Agriculture and Food Industry of Ukraine" (379 votes).
Next, the floor was given to the President of European Parliament, Hans Gert Pöttering.
H-G. Pöttering stated that he felt "strong leaning" towards Ukraine. "It is a great honour for me to deliver a speech at The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, - he stated. The 6th of April will become a memorable date in the relations between our Parliament and The Verkhovna Rada".
The President of the European Parliament expressed his certitude that negotiations within the scope of his official visit would facilitate further development of relations between Ukraine and the European Union.
He discussed a number of issues appertaining to the Euro-integration pursuits of Ukraine, drafting of the Agreement of Associated Membership, launching a free trade zone with the EU and prospects of introducing visa-free regime.
The Special attention was devoted special attention to the "Eastern Partnership" initiative of the European Union that should cover six countries-EU neighbours: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus and was ratified by the European Council. Thus, according to H-G. Pöttering, the Constituent Summit of the "Eastern Partnership" with the participation of the leaders of EU member-countries and partner States will be held on 7 May in Prague
EP President deems necessary for Ukraine and the EU to work jointly over the settlement of crucial issues, especially, concerning simplification of visa regime.
H-G. Pöttering expressed his hopes that Ukraine would be of primary importance in the "Eastern Partnership". He also stated that Europe wished that Ukraine and Russia were on good terms based "on the principles of self-determination, democracy and supremacy of Law".
The people´s Deputies have greeted the address of the European Parliament President with the Applause.
Next, 4 Laws with the President motions were discussed and rejected: "On State Property Fund", "On Amendments to certain legislative Acts of Ukraine re the Lease", "On Compulsory State Insurance", "On National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting".
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the Resolution "On Awarding the Reward of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Contribution of the Youth into the Development of Parliamentarism and Local Self-Government in Year 2008"
As a result of the discussion the Bill of the Law on Amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine on Administrative Violation of the Taxation Code was rejected.
The morning meeting was closed.
Within 7-10 April, the People´s Deputies will work in Factions and Committees.
Next Plenary Meeting will be held on the 14th of April.