30 November 2009, 20:28
On Monday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Jerzy Buzek, European Parliament President
During the meeting, the Parties discussed the essential issues concerning cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union, focusing attention on the interparliamentary component of the bilateral relations.
The European Parliament President declared that the European Union highly appreciated the strengthening of the development of relations with Ukraine that is considered as a reliable partner. "We consider Ukraine as an European country", - Jerzy Buzek declared.
Special attention was paid to the issues concerning cooperation in the energy saving and coordination of actions aimed at the overcoming of financial-economic crisis.
V. Lytvyn also briefed on the political-economic situation in Ukraine, as well as on the presidential campaign. The European Parliament President expects that the presidential election 2010 will be held transparently and in a democratic way. He also stressed that the present-day democratic standards "resembled European ones." In this context, Jerzy Buzek considered the decision of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to take the vacation for the presidential campaign period as a positive sign.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated that despite the upcoming elections, the European integration of Ukraine remained the topic to unite Ukrainian politicians and the public. According to V.Lytvyn, this consolidating factor needs to be developed and strengthened. "My personal position envisages the practical resolutions regarding relations between Ukraine and the European Union. I understand the complexity of the negotiations, esp. regarding the simplification of visa regime for the Ukrainian citizens; still, if certain progress is achieved, it should be immediately fixed at the legislative level", - he proclaimed, adding that "it would be a consolidating factor for the Ukrainian society and politicians."
Jerzy Buzek, European Parliament President, accepted the invitation of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to visit Ukraine on 20-21 December 2009.
Speaking with the journalists, Volodymyr Lytvyn informed that it was the second time he met Jerzy Buzek, European Parliament President, for the current year. The visit of Jerzy Buzek to Ukraine in December would be the second one. "It proves that the dialogue between Ukraine and the European Parliament is being transferred onto a new level, at least on the parliamentary one."
Jerzy Buzek declared that the elections in Ukraine would traditionally be supervised by the observers from the whole Europe.
The President of European Parliament also declared that Europe was ready to assist Ukraine in fighting influenza epidemic.
V. Lytvyn and Jerzy Buzek characterized the meeting as a successful and constructive one.
As it was reported, on 30 November-1 December, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, stays with a working visit in Brussels (the Kingdom of Belgium). Today, the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine shall meet Pavlo Koval, Head of the European Parliament Delegation for Liaison with Ukraine.
On Tuesday, V.Lytvyn shall meet Kristian Vigenin, European Parliament Chairman of Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, Patrick Deval, President of the Belgium House of Representatives, and other political groups of the European Parliament.