Within the Official Visit to the Republic of Serbia on Monday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Slavica Dukic Dejanovic, President of the National Assembly of Serbia
04 April 2011, 15:35
Within the official visit to the Republic of Serbia on Monday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Slavica Đukić Dejanović, President of the National Assembly of Serbia.
The Parties discussed the issues of Ukrainian-Serbian cooperation in economic, social, research and cultural spheres. The Parties laid emphasis on strengthening the parliamentary component in bilateral relations on the level of friendship groups, committees and factions, and fostering cooperation in the international parliamentary organizations. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada came forward with an initiative to develop cooperation between the secretariats of supreme legislative bodies in Ukraine and Serbia.
"I expect our agreement on inter-parliamentary cooperation to be implemented", stated V. Lytvyn, adding that inter-parliamentary dialogue shall be systemic. "Next time we will discuss not our plans but our achievements. It is the time for practical work", he added.
The participants of the meeting declared that contractual basis between the states counted 65 documents, while another 25 documents were being scrutinized.
Slavica Đukić Dejanović, President of the National Assembly of Serbia, is convinced that issues of practical economical cooperation shall be solved by the executive power bodies, while the parliaments should facilitate inter-state relations in the social sector.
The Chairperson of the National Assembly of Serbia praised Ukraine on the observance of international agreements and norms of international law in the issues concerning support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia.
V. Lytvyn stated that the dialogue between the heads of the parliaments that had been launched a year ago would continue and "achieve new standards." He agrees to the importance of supporting the issues of bilateral cooperation in the legislative respect, and deems necessary to analyze the essential cooperation issues by the parliamentary groups of friendship and draft the corresponding ‘road maps.´
During the meeting, the Parties called for strengthening cooperation in the sphere of European integration. Slavica Đukić Dejanović expressed willingness to share experience of Serbia´s preparation for accession to the EU expected this year.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine considers Serbian experience in this sphere "didactic" for Ukraine, and stated that Ukraine is "one step behind the Republic of Serbia", especially, in the matter of harmonization of domestic legislation with the EU requirements. "I hope that when Serbia becomes a new European Union member, Ukraine will rely on one more strategic partner and assistant, given our past, future and present."
The Parties admitted that bilateral cooperation in the economic sector is insufficient, and called for its strengthening with the support of parliamentarians.
V. Lytvyn called for determining the areas of economic cooperation which are promising good results. He explained that Ukraine is interested in developing cooperation with Serbia in energy sector, transport industry, culture, education and science. The Parties supported the idea of youth organizations exchange.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also suggested setting up research artistic groups, "using the capacities of Ukraine and Serbia."
V. Lytvyn suggested holding a Social Ukrainian-Serbian Forum with the participation of experts in inter-state cooperation.
V. Lytvyn attaches great importance not only to the inter-parliamentary cooperation, but also to culture and art. "I am convinced that we need to use all the power and potential, and envision the future, considering human factor", he declared. "I am of the opinion that we should never forget about spiritual relations between our nations in the light of economic problems", the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada declared.
According to V. Lytvyn, strengthening of ‘spiritual integrity of European states´ will reinforce the role of Europe as a global player. He believes that all European countries shall become European Union members.
The Parties discussed the visa free regime. According to Slavica Đukić Dejanović, "Serbia has already solved this problem." Draft agreement is being considered by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, while the Ukrainian Parliament shall scrutinize it soon.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also expressed his gratitude to Serbia for supporting the Ukrainian-Ruthenian community, especially, for arranging the conditions to meet their cultural needs.
As it was announced before, on April 4-5, V. Lytvyn as the head of the parliamentary delegation is staying with a working visit in the Republic of Serbia.