The VII Meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Ukraine and the Republic of Poland was held in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
05 November 2013, 09:23
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Rybak addressed participants of the meting with an opening speech.
Co-Chairmen of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Ukraine and the Republic of Poland – the Chairman of the Ukrainian Party-the Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R.Koshulynskyi and the Chairman of the Polish Party of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Ukraine and the Republic of Poland-Deputy Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Cezary Grabarczyk addressed Ukrainian and Polish parliament members.
Participants of the meeting considered prospects of Ukraine’s European integration and Ukrainian-Polish parliamentary cooperation in this sphere.
It was noted that the parliaments of both countries have initiated all the existing forms of cooperation in the inter-parliamentary dimension, i.e. cooperation at the level of inter-parliamentary assembly that sets strategic directions. It is natural that during the past several years cooperation on Ukraine’s European integration was in the focus of attention of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly. Establishment of the respective bodies – the Commission in the Sejm of the Republic of Poland and the Committee on European Integration in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine testify to this fact.
Participants of the meeting named bilateral Inter-Parliamentary Assembly to be the most efficient and regulatory mechanism of inter-parliamentary cooperation. Cooperation at the level of friendship groups of both parliaments was also positively appreciated.
It was noted that due to cooperation between Ukrainian and Polish MPs, cooperation between the Ukrainian and European parliaments is being implemented. Polish parliament members assisted Ukraine in forming its stand concerning European integration.
The participants of the meeting expressed their hopes that such cooperation will further bring only positive results.
The initiative of Polish parliamentarians regarding broadening the scope of activities was mentioned among the most promising areas of cooperation. Particularly, it deals with forming regional Carpathian groups in national parliaments of Carpathian countries, including Ukraine and Poland, which in perspective will allow to create Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Carpathian region.
Expanding the range of issues on inter-parliamentary cooperation, introducing the issues on energy cooperation and energy security into the agenda, exchange of experience of national legislation adaptation, etc. are also of great importance.
Participants of the meeting stressed the necessity of widening the scope of work activities of Ukrainian and Polish deputies in the framework of international organizations, particularly PA of the Council of Europe and OSCE.
Ukrainian and Polish parliamentarians also noted that in the near-term prospect special stress should be made on continuing the work of two parliaments in overcoming negative stereotypes of difficult historical past of Ukrainian and Polish peoples and the process of their historical reconciliation.
“Cooperation on inter-parliamentary level has been receiving special attention lately. Ukraine has come right up to the most important event since the declaration of Ukraine’s independence, which will have not only historic but also civilization meaning – signing the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in Vilnius,” participants of the meeting stressed.
The deputies of two parliaments expressed their hopes that Poland will become the first country in Europe to ratify the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
Participants of the meeting discussed prospects of bilateral cooperation in cultural and humanitarian sphere. According to them, the core in this sphere is implementation of joint projects, introducing mechanism of constant consultations.
It was noted that the cultural relations between the two countries have good prospects.
Following the results of the meeting, a joint statement was adopted.