Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland
20 April 2011, 19:00
Volodymyr
Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Council
of Europe Secretary General
Thorbjørn Jagland.
In the beginning of the meeting, V. Lytvyn expressed his gratitude to T. Jagland for his participation in the events dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Chornobyl disaster. He is convinced that such events, held on the supreme level, confirm common understanding of responsibility for our states and security.
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland stated that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the action plan of Ukraine´s chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and coordinate further efforts. He appreciated priorities of the acting Ukrainian authorities regarding bilateral cooperation, further reforms of the Council of Europe, and activity of the European Court of Human Rights. He believes that Ukraine´s chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers is not only a great challenge, but also an opportunity to duly represent the state in Europe to facilitate further development and reforms.
T. Jagland informed on the appointment of a Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine. He stated that the Council of Europe would focus on the reforms of judicial power, constitutional process in Ukraine, and the draft Electoral Code.
Asked about the constitutional process, V. Lytvyn responded that it was a subject for discussion. "The President supports the initiative to set up the Constitutional Assembly. This problem should be worked out," he stated.
The Chairman of
the Verkhovna Rada declared,
"The experts should analyze weaknesses of the
Constitution and find out which
provisions are not effective or
contradictory." "We
shall develop a clear-cut concept
of Ukraine´s development and its place in
the changing world", he declared. "It is necessary to
prepare the motions to the
Fundamental Law to be discussed
and reviewed by the European
organizations. It should be the
way of our
development", he summed up.
Asked about the changes in the distribution of authorities, V. Lytvyn mentioned that he was against focusing attention on the redistribution of authorities. "We should start from the provisions on civil rights and liberties, discussing the authorities as a tool of their protection", believes Volodymyr Lytvyn.
According to the Head of the Ukrainian Parliament, the authorities should be based on the efficient checks and balances system of power branches. As Ukraine is oriented towards the European integration, it shall follow the standards of the European community.