Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: Ukraine has passed the Turbulence Zone, Current Stability and Determinacy in the Country allow for outlining Domestic and Foreign Policy

THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE

PRESS SERVICE

Mass Media Report

Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: Ukraine has passed the Turbulence Zone, Current Stability and Determinacy in the Country allow for outlining Domestic and Foreign Policy

On Thursday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Walid al-Mouallem, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic.

V.Lytvyn laid emphasis on the traditionally friendly character of relations between the countries. He stated that consolidation of bilateral relations would benefit further relations between the nations. "We expect that your visit will enhance our historical relations", he stressed.

The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expressed his hopes that the President of the Syrian Arab Republic would visit Ukraine in the nearest time. He stated that "it would be a great honour if B.Al-Asad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, visited the Parliament and met the representatives of the Ukrainian people."  

V.Lytvyn called for consolidating the inter-parliamentary relations between the countries. He reminded that the latest visit of Dr. Mahmoud al-Abrash, Speaker of the People´s Council of the Syrian Arab Republic, to Ukraine in 2007 was the only high-level visit since Ukrainian President L.D.Kuchma visited Syria in 2002. "I am convinced that we will bridge this gap, enhancing our relations", the Head of the Parliament stated, inviting the leader of the Syrian Parliament to visit Ukraine. 

Walid al-Mouallem, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic, stated that the Parliaments of both countries shall support the intentions to enhance the relations. He declared that the President of Syria "had a political will to support and develop relations with Ukraine." However, Walid al-Mouallem underscored that Ukraine "also has a political will to develop relations between the countries." He reported that turnover between Ukraine and Syria in 2008 exceeded USD 1 billion. He declared the intention "to double this figure in the nearest time."  

The Minister of Foreign Affairs called for diversification of cooperation between the countries, increasing the number of projects in the constriction and investments sector.  

He considers transformation of bilateral relations into multilateral to be an important aspect of cooperation. "Ukraine is a window to Belarus and the Baltic states," he stated. "In its turn, Syria is a window to the Arabic states and Gulf countries."  He supposes that development of a navigable waterway to connect the Port of Latakia with the sea port of Odesa will be a priority direction of cooperation, as well as the use of the powerful railway network of Ukraine.

Walid al-Mouallem, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic, stressed that Syria played a crucial role in the establishment of security and stability in the Middle East. "The country has always been loyal to its national pursuits, protecting the interests of the Arabic world," he stressed. Thus, Syria takes a dominant lead in the stabilization of Iran and Iraq, and regulation of the Arab-Israeli confrontation. "We develop the policy to represent the interests of our people and resist foreign pressure", he declared.  

On behalf of the Speaker of the People´s Council of the Syrian Arab Republic, Walid al-Mouallem invited V.Lytvyn to visit Syria.

The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expressed his gratitude for "a promising vision of Ukrainian-Syrian relations." He stressed that those proposals "are utterly interesting, and should provide for a new level of cooperation." He supposes that "Ukraine can not afford living on the principle of "life by achievements." "Ukraine has passed the turbulence zone, current stability and determinacy in the country allow for outlining domestic and foreign policy," he declared.

V.Lytvyn stated that the regulatory framework was sufficient to develop the relations. However, he believes that it should be extended with account for the new opportunities. He called for boosting the activity of inter-parliamentary institutions, parliamentary committees and international organizations.

V.Lytvyn reminded that in November 2009, The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the Agreement between Ukraine and Syria on the Legal Relations and Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil and Criminal Cases. V.Lytvyn expects that the Syrian party will facilitate ratification of this Agreement on its part. He also called for immediate scrutiny of the Convention on Consular Relations. "Connections grow rapidly, so the issues in this field shall be regulated", he stated.

V.Lytvyn believes that turnover between Ukraine and Syria may double "due to the rapid development of trade-economic relations." He deems necessary to pay special attention to the cultural and humanitarian cooperation, extension of contacts between the young people, collaboration in education, science and tourism.   

The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed that Ukraine considered Syria as one of the most authoritative and influential states both in the Middle East, and in the whole Arab and Islamic world. "We treat Syria as a pivotal figure in the Middle East pacification. We closely watch the development of events in the Middle East and feel concern about you," he stated. "Ukraine keeps a principled stand on this issue. Peace and stability in the Middle East shall be restored through strict observance of relevant resolutions. I acclaim the success of Syria in the international arena, and hope that it will consolidate its stand in the world."