Volodymyr Lytvyn: Development of Mutually Beneficial Partner Relations with Germany is one of the Foreign Political Priorities of Ukraine
15 June 2010, 14:05
Volodymyr Lytvyn: Development of Mutually Beneficial Partner Relations with Germany is one of the Foreign Political Priorities of Ukraine
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine,
made this statement in the interview to German newspaper "Parlament"
on the eve of the official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany.
The Head of the Ukrainian Parliament believes that the visit is organized in a special period in view of the events in the political environment of both countries. "As to Ukraine, it is actual implementation of reforms, discussion of the important bill "On Fundamentals of Domestic and Foreign Policy", which shall set the priorities of the internal and foreign development of the country. As to the Federal Republic of Germany, elections of the Federal President are definitely in the limelight, as well as the reforms of the social sphere", V.Lytvyn stated. Moreover, "we witness active search of the efficient ways for overcoming the economic and financial crisis, as well as discussion of the models of the European security architecture."
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine believes that these issues require a continuous inter-governmental dialogue. It is also important to combine the efforts to meet the modern challenges. "Common efforts can let Ukraine and Germany as two large European countries make a substantial contribution into the settlement of the global, European and regional issues. On the one hand, there is Ukraine with its unique industrial, agricultural and intellectual resources and capabilities, on the other hand, our partner is the European State powerful in political and economic sense, one of the driving forces of European integration", V.Lytvyn stated.
He believes that development of mutually beneficial partner relations with Germany is one of the foreign political priorities of Ukraine. "It is not a coincidence, as the Federal Republic of Germany remains one of the driving forces of the EU and a key player in the international arena", V.Lytvyn supposes.
As to the inter-parliamentary cooperation between Ukraine and Germany, the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine highly appreciated assistance of the German MPs in the strengthening of democracy and state building. He expressed his gratitude to the European colleagues for recommendations and practical help in the harmonization of the Ukrainian legislation with the EU regulations. "We are interested in the enhancement of immediate contacts between the parliamentary committees, especially on foreign and European affairs, and defence. Immediate contacts between the committees on economic reforms and local self-government are equally important to study the German experience in economic reforms in the agricultural sector, which is topical in view of negotiations between Ukraine and the EU concerning formation of a comprehensive free trade zone. German experience is also of great importance in the context of preparation for EURO-2012", V.Lytvyn stated.
He believes that activity of the deputy group on German-Ukrainian cooperation and The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Group on Inter-Parliamentary Liaison with the Federal Republic of Germany is a positive factor. Out of the events initiated by the groups to extend bilateral cooperation, V.Lytvyn singled out the Days of Ukraine at the Bundestag and the parliamentary hearings at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine dedicated to the German-Ukrainian cooperation. The Head of the Ukrainian Parliament expects that "the agreements concerning regular holding of such useful and important events will be reached during the negotiations."