10 May 2011, 14:09
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, highly appreciates the outcome of the sitting of the Bureau of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Sejm and Senate of the Republic of Poland in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
"I am glad that we have talked about Ukraine, not Ukrainian politicians," V.Lytvyn summed up.
Along these lines, the Head of the Parliament admitted that the viewpoint of certain deputies of the European Parliament who "are watching Ukraine through the lens of particular Ukrainian political forces" impedes successful development of relations between Ukraine and the EU. "This is a poor approach," he admitted, stressing that "Ukraine passed the Rubicon in its democratic development."
According to V.Lytvyn, democratic processes in Ukraine are irreversible due to several factors.
The first factor is the Ukrainian youth who "grew up in different conditions, and is open, flexible and curious." The Head of the Parliament believes that establishment of the Eastern European University might foster the relations between Ukraine and the European Union, which was discussed at length at the meetings with the Polish colleagues.
The second factor of further democratic development of Ukraine is the domestic capital, which "is interested in transparent and stable rules, and strives for the European integration."
According to the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada, the third factor is development of the middle class concerned with sustainable and predictable state development.
The fourth factor is the active development of civil society institutes.
V.Lytvyn also stressed, "We can not, will not, and do not want to counter the European Union with Russia." "It is not for the benefit of the European states," he declared. "We need pragmatic relations with Russia in line with the national interests. It is a delicate and meticulous work."
Today, V.Lytvyn is also to meet Kristian Vigenin, Co-Chair of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, Head of the European Parliament Delegation to the Euronest PA.