05 April 2011, 16:27
Within the official visit to the Republic of Serbia on Tuesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Prime Minister, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Serbia Mirko Cvetković.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia highly appreciated the level of bilateral relations. He is convinced in the positive effect of the current visit of Ukrainian parliamentary delegation to Serbia. "We appreciate that the inter-governmental Ukrainian-Serbian Commission on Trade-Economic Cooperation has resumed its work", he stated.
It was mentioned that Ukraine belongs to top 20 trade partners of Serbia. Last year our state occupied 17th place by to the goods turnover, while in 2010 the scope of foreign trade between Ukraine and Serbia increased by 47,2%.
The Parties commented on the great capacities of improving bilateral trade-economic relations.
According to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine expects new standards of Ukrainian-Serbian relations. "We have all reasons for it, both common history and future challenges", he is convinced.
V. Lytvyn reminded that in 2010 Ukrainian and Serbian Parliaments signed the agreement on cooperation, whereby "connections between the friendship groups, committees, factions and leaders of legislative bodies are growing."
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Volodymyr Lytvyn for a sensible and firm position of Ukraine regarding situation with Kosovo. He considers adoption UN Draft Resolution on Kosovo in 2010 to be a momentous event. The document is coauthored by Serbia and all EU member countries. The Resolution was also supported by Ukraine.
V. Lytvyn agreed with M. Cvetković that all problems shall be solved peacefully by means of a dialogue. He stressed the Ukrainian position regarding Kosovo meets the international legal standards.
Going back to the issue of bilateral cooperation, V. Lytvyn admitted that Ukraine is interested in the bilateral cooperation with Serbia in energy sector and education, modernization of underground gas storages and development of transport corridors.
He reminded that The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is scrutinizing 25 bilateral documents, conclusion of which will strengthen the normative legal base of bilateral cooperation.
The Parties discussed cooperation in European integration matters.
V. Lytvyn expressed gratitude to the Serbian authorities for their assistance in protecting the rights of Ukrainian-Ruthenian community in Serbia.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also met President of Serbia Boris Tadić.