09 September 2013, 12:06
On September 6, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Rybak paid a working visit to the Republic of Lithuania at the invitation of the Speaker of Lithuanian Seimas. During the visit, Ukrainian Speaker met with the Speaker of Lithuanian Seimas Vidas Gedvilas, the President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite and with the Vice-President of the European Commission/the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule, at the initiative of the Lithuanian Party.
During the meeting with Vidas Gedvilas, Parties discussed the issue of inter-parliamentary cooperation, particularly, within the Trilateral Assembly of the Parliaments of Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland and in the line of inter-parliamentary friendship groups. Parties have also discussed the state of preparation for signing the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. Chairmen of both parliaments supported the wish of Moldova’s parliament to join the work of the Trilateral Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, which, Vidas Gedvilas believes, could first be held at the level of observer status.
The Lithuanian Party assured Ukraine in their support of our European way and expressed conviction that the Association Agreement will be signed during the EU Summit in Vilnius in November.
Volodymyr Rybak informed Vidas Gedvilas on the results of the law-making work of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine within the framework of adherence to the EU requirements, necessary for signing the Association Agreement. He noted that all branches of power in Ukraine work over it. Volodymyr Rybak reassured his interlocutor that Ukraine shall fulfill all the commitments to the EU in September-October. He expressed hope that the abovementioned document will be signed during the Lithuanian presidency.
Commenting on relations with Russia, at the initiative of Lithuanian Party, Volodymyr Rybak noted that they have been and will remain important to Ukraine, for we are closely related to Russia. There is a big market there and Ukraine is interested in deepening such relations.
During the meeting with the Lithuanian President, the Parties mainly discussed the state of Ukraine’s preparation for signing the EU-Ukraine Association. She stressed importance of adopting the laws required for positive decision of a number of legislative acts on the part of the EU and necessity of tight cooperation of Ukraine with the Venice Commission. She expressed hope for signing the Agreement during the Vilnius Summit and emphasized the necessity to continue the process of reforms after this event.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine informed of adoption of seven laws of Ukraine during the past four days that are necessary for signing the Agreement. He spoke about the work done over adoption of other important legislative acts, particularly, the Law on Prosecutor’s Office, noting thereat that the President of Ukraine has formed a clear stand for all branches of power, i.e. the necessity to sign the Association Agreement. Speaking on the relations with Russia, raised by the President, Volodymyr Rybak noted that Russia is our strategic partner and Ukraine is interested in active cooperation with this country for the benefit of both sides.
Responding to the issue of selective justice, raised by Dalia Grybauskaite, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine reassured that all the necessary moves to solve the situation are being taken. Thereat, he noted that the issue is being elaborated in the judicial dimension.
In the course of discussing bilateral cooperation, the President of Lithuania informed about her readiness to visit Ukraine on September 19-22 in order to participate in the 10th Yalta European Strategy annual meeting.
During the meeting with Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative appreciated the work done during the latter period by the Ukrainian Parliament in the European dimension. She expressed her gratitude to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada for his personal contribution.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada informed that the Parliament fulfills its “home task”, noting that only during the last week seven laws on European integration were adopted.
He stressed that the stand of all branches of power and leading parliamentary forces in regard to development of relations with the EU, coincides. He emphasized that this is the issue that consolidates Ukrainian society, willing to live according to the European standards.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada appreciated important role of the President of Ukraine in activation of the law-making activity regarding European integration. He told about the meeting of the President with the people’s deputies – representatives of the Party of Regions, dedicated to this issue. Addressing people’s deputies, representatives of the diplomatic corps, chairmen of the regions and numerous guests during the opening of the Verkhovna Rada session, the President of Ukraine stressed important role of the Parliament in ensuring implementation of the Euro-integrational course of the state.
Volodymyr Rybak expressed confidence in completing main, in view of our commitments, law-making activity in the nearest time – the end of September - beginning of October. The Chairman stressed that Ukraine experiences historic moment of its development, connected with signing of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
In her turn, Catherine Ashton noted that adoption of legislation is a positive signal for all EU member states and institutions, the support of which is that important to Ukraine today.
She stressed that personally for her, the issue of selective justice, without referring to any individuals, is especially important.
Catherine Ashton noted that the pressure Moscow has lately exerted on Ukraine is inadmissible. She supported Ukraine in exercising its right to choose Euro-integrational aspirations. At the same time, the problem that arose with Russia was, to certain extent, useful for Ukraine by putting it at the center of international events.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada stressed that the case should not be dramatized within the relations of both countries that have lots of common historic, cultural, economic and organizational moments. Russia is Ukraine’s strategic partner and, as of today, market of economic cooperation amounts to USD 63 billion.
Ukraine carefully watches development of cooperation within the Customs Union, and has sent an observer to the Union. Our country wants to develop cooperation with this economic union in the “three plus one” format.
He noted that settlement of specific aspects of selective justice is beyond the Parliament today.
During the meeting with Stefan Fule, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada stressed an important role of the President of Ukraine in activating the EU integrational law-making activity.
He informed his interlocutor on the results of the law-making activity of the Ukrainian Parliament pertaining to fulfillment of the EU requirements in order to sign the Association Agreement. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada expressed hope that the document will be signed during the EU Vilnius Summit in November this year.
In his turn, Stefan Fule drew attention to the fact that Ukraine has to do its best for fruitful cooperation of political forces in the process of signing the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, could continue after its signing.
Stressing that he makes his best for the majority and opposition to hear each other and reach an agreement, the Chairman expressed confidence that the culture of meetings brought by the new deputies, will be substituted by the effective law-making activity.
Parties exchanged ideas regarding certain aspects of cooperation of Ukraine with the EU and the Customs Union, as well as possible cooperation of the European Union and the Customs Union.
Stefan Fule informed of his possible participation in the National round table discussion on matters of European integration that will be held on October 10-11 this year in Kyiv.