27 September 2012, 12:04
The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Adam Martyniuk greeted the participants of the meeting of the PA Parliamentary Dimension of the Central European Initiative (CEI) "Improvement of transport infrastructure as an effective instrument to activate cooperation of CEI countries. Legislative support: experience, cooperation, challenges and problems"
(September 27, 2012, Kyiv)
Distinguished Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished parliamentarians of the Central European Initiative member states.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
Let me greet you all here in Ukraine on the part of the Verkhovna Rada as the Parliament of the state presiding at the Central European Initiative.
As a forum of regional cooperation that unites 18 states of Central, South Eastern and Eastern Europe the CEI has long ago became the stable platform for exchanging experience and uniting efforts in the cause of building democracy.
Ukraine is for the first time presiding at the CEI and treats its mission with full responsibility.
The fact that such a high level forum takes place in Kyiv, especially on the eve of parliamentary elections, is an important event both for us, Ukrainian deputies, and for the whole Ukraine. I believe it has a symbolic meaning and stresses active role of our country as a European state in the cause of regional cooperation development and strengthening democracy.
Parliamentary Dimension of CEI together with governmental and business dimensions are the three pillars the Organization leans on. Effective activity planning and implementation of CEI plans is impossible without legislative support, active and initiative participation of parliamentarians of all CEI member states.
Participating in the inter parliamentary cooperation within CEI, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine strives to play an active role in the operation of the Organization.
In connection to this, I would like to specially emphasize the activities of three general committees of the Parliamentary Dimension On Political and Home Affairs, On Economic Affairs and On Cultural Affairs. The members of the Permanent Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada in the PA CEI actively participate in the operation of these committees on permanent basis.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Establishment of fruitful relations between the parliaments of the CEI member states is one of the top priority tasks of the Parliamentary Dimension.
I would like to stress the importance of eurointegrational component of such cooperation. In this context special attention should be paid to horizontal development of relations between the parliaments of the EU member states and non-member states.
Particularly, it would be useful to hold outdoor sessions of special committees of the Parliamentary Dimension to exchange eurointegrational experience and study the best parliamentary practices. Such meetings could launch deputies? initiatives on particular issues that are of interest to all member states.
It is important to strengthen cooperation between the CEI Parliamentary and Governmental dimensions. This is especially topical given the fact of preparation of the next three-year Action Plan Initiatives for 2013-2015.
Dear colleagues,
The year of Ukrainian presidency at the CEI comes to an end. I believe that it was successful both for Ukraine and all of us.
I would like to express my gratitude to national delegations for active participation and cooperation that contributed to the achievement of goals of our presidency.
Let me take this opportunity to stress the important political role and organizational support of MFA of Ukraine to maintain Ukraine?s effective presidency at the CEI Parliamentary Dimension.
I would also like to assure that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is ready for active cooperation within CEI Parliamentary Dimension in the following year and wish our Hungarian colleagues, taking over presidency, inspiration and success in this important issue.
I wish the forum fruitful work and significant results.
Thank you for attention.