08 June 2011, 12:25
On Wednesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Parties declared that Ukraine and Switzerland have strong bilateral relations.
The President of the Swiss Confederation informed that she has met President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych twice this year: in Davos in February, and at the events dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Chornobyl disaster in Kyiv in April. Ms Micheline Calmy-Rey reminded of her speech at the Chornobyl Donor Conference in Kyiv, when Switzerland donated to the implementation of Chornobyl recovery projects.
In his turn, V.Lytvyn expressed his gratitude for Switzerland´s support of Ukraine.
The President of the Swiss Confederation briefed on the situation in Switzerland. That day, debates concerning closure of five nuclear power stations in the territory of Switzerland were held in the Swiss Parliament. "Although the Government resolved to close the nuclear power stations, the ways of compensation should be found in the form of both financial support and alternative energy sources," Ms Micheline Calmy-Rey stated.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed, "Ukraine understands the issues of nuclear safety, as it suffered Chornobyl disaster, so it can cooperate with Switzerland in this respect." He also stated that Ukraine realizes the significance of issues connected with the closure of nuclear power stations. "Such a decision has far-reaching consequences, such as expanses for the closure or environmental problems," he stated.
The Parties agreed to the importance of the International Atomic Energy Agency as a coordinator of nuclear energy use and safety, and initiator of new projects in the energy sector.
V.Lytvyn expressed his gratitude to the President of the Swiss Confederation for supporting several humanitarian projects in Ukraine.
As reported, on June 7-9, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, is staying with an official visit in the Swiss Confederation.