24 November 2010, 13:31
On Wednesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Semjen Zsolt, Deputy Prime-Minister of the Republic of Hungary.
In the beginning of the meeting, the Parties declared that the visit of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to Hungary would strengthen friendly bilateral relations.
V. Lytvyn underscored a high level of the Ukrainian-Hungarian cooperation and a lack of pressing issues in the bilateral relations. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also declared that the visit of Pál Schmitt, President of the Republic of Hungary, was highly expected in Ukraine. "We are looking forward to the mutually profitable cooperation and practical results", he stated.
V. Lytvyn stated that Ukraine expected effective cooperation with Hungary on the European matters. Ukraine hopes that during its presidency in the European Union, the Hungarian Party will pay attention to the European integration goals of Ukraine, which would strengthen the Ukrainian-Hungarian bilateral relations.
The Deputy Prime-Minister of Hungary agreed to the statements of V. Lytvyn. "The European Union states bordering Hungary in the West look with caution on the states on our Esatern border, however, Hungary together with Poland that would preside over the EU in the second half of 2011understand the Eastern world and hope that Hungary will play a special role in the relations between the Eastern and Western Europe", he stated.
Thus, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, Hungary is ready to assess achievment of the European integration goals of Ukraine. Hungary is also willing to assist Ukraine in this respect.
Zsolt Semjen declared that Hungary is ready to facilitate fulfillment of the EU requirements by Ukraine, and exert efforts to make these requirements pragmatic, irrespective of the passing problems in the EU.
"We appreciate such a stance", the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament responded. He hopes that the EU "has the same understanding of the European identity of Ukraine, which should facilitate the proceedings."
V. Lytvyn emphasised that Europe faced challenges to be solved only in the conditions of integrity. He hopes that agreements on free trade zone and association will be signed during the presidency of Hungary in the EU. "We have a common understanding of the essential problems, which is essential", the Head of the Ukrainian Parliament stressed.
The Parties also discussed implementation of the Law of the Republic of Hungary "On Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Hungary 1993 LV. On Hungarian Citizenship", whereby the Hungary-born citizens permanently residing in the countries bordering on Hungary can acquire the citizenship of the Hungarian Republic according to the streamlined procedure (the Law comes into effect on 01.01.2011). According to V. Lytvyn, it requires thorough analysis and consultations, as the domestic law and the Constitution of Ukraine do not envisage the double citizenship. One should renounce Ukrainian citizenship before acquiring another nationality. The Head of the Ukrainian Parliament emphasised importance of the issue to "prevent separatism in our state."
The Parties discussed satisfaction of cultural and social needs of the Ukrainian national minority in Hungary and Hungary-born citizens in Ukraine.