19 October 2009, 21:12
Involvement of Ukraine in the European Affairs would comply with the Interests of both Ukraine and Europe, - Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, is convinced
V.Lytvyn made the above-mentioned statement on Monday, meeting Chris Bryant, Minister of State for Europe, in London.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated that Ukraine shall be involved in the European processes. He highly appraised the standpoint of Great Britain and its Government on this matter. "We rely on your support in the matter concerning signing of the Agreement on Association with the European Union, and regarding Ukraine´s accession to the single European dimension", - he stated.
The Head of the Ukrainian Parliament stated that the talks concerning the Agreement of Association had been conducted for a long time, and "should have yielded the practical results". "I wish it took place before the presidential elections, as it would be of great stabilization importance for Ukraine, - stated V.Lytvyn. Despite the unsettled matters, all the issues can be solved if there is a goal".
V.Lytvyn objects against waiting for the conclusion of the presidential campaign in Ukraine before launching cooperation with the EU. Signing of the Agreement on Association "will make Ukrainian authorities more disciplined, restricting foreign political manoeuvres of Ukrainian politicians". Signing of the Agreement on Ukraine´s accession to the free trade zone with the EU "will boost the development of the country".
"It is understandable that Ukraine has no grounds to lay claims to the membership in the European Union. However, participation of Ukraine in the European affairs will meet the interests of both Ukraine, and Europe", - stressed the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
V.Lytvyn stated that significance of Europe in the world would further increase. "The world will be more unstable, new centers of influence will appear, hence, no country will be able to meet the challenges on its own. Therefore, Ukraine must be involved in the European community. Let us determine the destination and fulfill the tasks meeting the interests of both Ukraine, and the European community", - he stated.
The Parties also discussed a number of issues concerning energy safety and bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Great Britain.
V.Lytvyn believes that energy sphere "has always been marked with political flavour". "When Ukraine will start to buy gas at the world prices, it will no longer be a political commodity", - stated the Head of the Ukrainian Parliament.
Ukraine is a leader in the amount of gas used for the manufacture of a production unit. Hence, it shall develop energy-saving technologies and extraction of its own energy resources to overcome the energy dependence.
V.Lytvyn stressed that the issue concerning energy supply shall be settled with the participation of Europe, Ukraine and Russia. "The policy in this branch shall be transparent and open", - he stated.
Dwelling upon the cooperation between Ukraine and Great Britain, V.Lytvyn stressed that the election campaign in Ukraine shall not suspend the bilateral relations and relations between Ukraine and the EU. V.Lytvyn expressed his hopes for the Great Britain´s support of European pursuits of Ukraine, as "the Great Britain is of crucial significance in the European processes".
In his turn, Chris Bryant stated that his country supported Ukraine´s pursuits towards democracy, and was interested in the opening of target markets for Ukrainian production.
As it was reported, on 19-20 October, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, stays with an official visit in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.