19 March 2013, 17:32
The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ihor Kalyetnik met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Ukraine Alain Remy.
Ihor Kalyetnik stressed that the French Republic is one of the most important partners of Ukraine, and inter-parliamentary cooperation is an important constituent of bilateral Ukrainian-French relations. He informed that as of today, formation of the composition of the Friendship Group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Parliament of the French Republic is practically completed. “This shall promote deepening of cooperation between legislative bodies of both countries, establishing regular relations at the level of committees and commissions of both parliaments, and expanding bilateral relations at regional level,” said I.Kalyetnik, noting thereat, affirmative approach of French parliamentary members to the issues of bilateral cooperation. He stressed high level of mutual understanding between the delegations of Ukrainian and France at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and expressed willingness for this “positive dynamics is not only preserved but strengthened in the future”.
The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine underlined that the Ukrainian Party is interested in continuing active cooperation on looking for ways to further activate our trade and economic cooperation. He noted that the turnover between Ukraine and France amounted to USD 2,2 billion in 2012 and the amount of investments reached USD 2,5 billion for the whole period of investing.
Thereat, the Parties expressed an idea that potential of trade and economic relations between the both countries “is far from being exhausted”. Particularly, there is mutual interest in cooperation in the agricultural sector and in aircraft manufacturing.
Both Parties believe that fruitful work of parliamentary members can give a significant impetus to deepening of bilateral Ukrainian-French cooperation.
Participants of the meeting discussed current situation in the Parliament and expressed hope that the political dialogue between Ukraine and France shall continue this year.