On Wednesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Martin Schulz, President of the Political Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament
16 March 2011, 15:52
On Wednesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Martin Schulz, President of the Political Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament.
The Parties expressed their opinions, and discussed the state and prospects of Ukraine´s accession to the European institutions, especially in the light of visa regime simplification, and signing of the agreements on association and free trade zone.
"We appreciate the impartial vision of the situation in Ukraine of the European representatives, as well as active involvement of Ukraine in the European affairs," stressed the Head of the Parliament. "Europe will not be holistic without Ukraine." Having agreed to the claim that the year 2011 will be critical for relations between Ukraine and the European Union, V.Lytvyn added, "This year should also be of critical importance for these relations."
In his turn, M. Schulz informed that the group in his charge included 186 deputies
of the European Parliament who represented 27 countries and different political
factions of the national parliaments. He declared that the group considered
Ukrainian Parliament "very lively and viable." Last month, the Group of the
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats signed the agreement on cooperation with the Party of Regions. "Ukraine
is a key partner for us, so we pay great attention to the relations with it,"
stressed the member of the European Parliament.
V.Lytvyn stated that he welcomed establishment of cooperation between the parties and political factions of Ukraine and the EU, yet warned lest this cooperation "should become closed and corporate, when the interests of politicians and political forces are protected, while the state interests are neglected."
M. Schulz called on the Ukrainian Parliament to arrange "a reliable legislative framework" to fulfill the agreement on the free trade zone with the EU member states. "As a socialist, I understand both the intentions of any state to protect itself from ‘wild capitalism´, and the measures taken against exploitation of its economy," he stated. However, the member of the European Parliament believes that Ukraine should arrange sustainable economic conditions to attract European investors. Mutual trust was said to be a key element of the forthcoming agreement on the free trade zone between Ukraine and the EU.
M. Schulz also called for simplifying the visa regime for Ukraine, as the effective visa system is "discriminatory." "Ukraine is open for us, while we are closed for Ukraine," he explained.
The Group President also called for strengthening the inter-parliamentary dialogue, so that Europe would learn of the development of democratic values in Ukraine.
V.Lytvyn stated that the dialogue should be established within the country, so that the domestic issues "would not be brought on the carpet of the European community." "Today is the moment of truth for Ukraine. It is essential whether we will be able to reform the country given the lost time and momentum and the lack of strength," he stated. The Head of the Parliament attaches great importance to the will and political courage in the implementation of reforms. "The reforms will be painful today, but the conditions for them will even worsen tomorrow," he admitted.
V.Lytvyn called for setting "clear-cut permanent rules" in the relations between Ukraine and the European Union. Having signed the agreements on political association, free trade zone and simplification of the visa regime, we will confirm progress of the relations, he stated. However, the Head of the Parliament admitted to numerous unsettled issues, especially concerning the free trade zone. He expects a sound compromise to be reached in this respect, as these documents will fix the European prospects of Ukraine.