30 June 2011, 18:23
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: Ukraine is ready to fulfill the Tasks connected with OSCE Presidency in 2013
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met Petros Eftimiu, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
The participants of the meeting discussed strengthening of the role of parliaments in the European states and institutions, such as the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and in the development of global democracy and security.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized that Ukraine is ready to fulfill the tasks connected with the future presidency in OSCE in 2013, especially considering the recommendations of the summit in Astana on the strengthening of dialogue on security of energy supply, development of the harmonized principles of the international cooperation in this sphere, improvement of the tools of common response to the new challenges and threats of the modern world, and prevention of negative consequences of the global financial-economic crisis.
P. Eftimiu is convinced that presidency of Ukraine in OSCE "shall be one of the signs of its leadership." "I consider Ukraine to be a working and developing state, and appreciate its achievements on the way to a confident leadership", he stated and promised the assistance on the part of OSCE Assembly.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine regards OSCE as "one of the most influential instruments to solve security and cooperation problems in the states, develop democracy and support progress." He stated that issues of humanitarian policy, democracy and human rights are no longer matters of separate states, but bear a global impact.
V. Lytvyn stressed that Ukraine attaches great importance to the support of its democratic achievements. "The role of the parliament and inter-parliamentary organizations is of special significance in this respect. The Parliament shall consider public moods and reflect them in respective decisions," he stated. However, the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament called for observing the previously adopted documents rather then drafting new laws.
P. Eftimiu called for improving and developing democracy since, "it can never be perfect." "Legislators shall assist authorities in the implementation of their decisions. The primary goal is to observe the supremacy of law, and divide the branches of power", he emphasized. He admitted that OSCE is in decline to some extent, as it lacks working efficiency. Thus, according to the President of the Organisation, its activity should be strengthened on the political level, namely, on the part of the parliaments which are "more flexible and more connected with the public."
The Parties appreciated active work of the Ukrainian parliamentarians in OSCE PA on the issues of national minorities´ rights and restoration of rights of deportees. The Head of the Ukrainian Parliament invited the OSCE PA President to deliver a keynote speech during the plenary meeting of the PABSEC General Assembly tomorrow.