The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Rybak hopes to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, including deepened and comprehensive free trade zone during the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November 2013
26 February 2013, 12:28
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Rybak hopes to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, including deepened and comprehensive free trade zone during the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November this year.
On Tuesday, during the meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Great Britain to Ukraine Simon Smith, Volodymyr Rybak highly appreciated the results of the EU-Ukraine Summit on February 25 this year. He noted that the dialogue during this highly important event is useful for all sides.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada emphasized that for the first time since independence all branches of power steadfastly and coordinately work on implementing European aspirations. In this context, he informed that the Verkhovna Rada adopted Statement “On fulfillment of Euro-integrational aspirations of Ukraine and conclusion of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement” on February 22, 2012.
Volodymyr Rybak stated that the Verkhovna Rada intends to consider the bills on fulfilling Ukraine’s obligations before the European Union and the EU-Ukraine Action Plan as top priority ones. He said that deputies are well aware of the importance of introducing European standards in Ukraine which is also the fulfillment of pre-election programs of all parliamentary factions. Thereat, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada expressed confidence that the respective legislative acts will be supported both by the majority and the opposition, for the issue of European integration is the unifying factor for all parliament members.
The Chairman of the Parliament has also expressed his deep gratitude to the European institutions and countries, including the United Kingdom for consistent support of Euro-integrational aspirations of our State and for readiness to assist in conducting the required reforms for the EU membership.
In his turn, Mr. Ambassador stressed that Ukraine has to become the member of the European Union. “We are looking forward to seeing this day,” said Simon Smith. He welcomed adoption of the Statement “On fulfillment of Euro-integrational aspirations of Ukraine and conclusion of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement” by the Ukrainian Parliament.
Mr. Ambassador noted that coordinated work of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Verkhovna Rada on implementing the EU-Ukraine Action Plan is extremely important in the context of decisions adopted on February 25, 2013. Simon Smith believes that Ukraine and the EU should collaborate.