The Fourth meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission on cooperation between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus was held in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
12 November 2013, 14:56
The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, the Co-Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission on cooperation Ihor Kalyetnik, opening the meeting, stressed bilateral trade and economic relations between our countries, and development of inter-regional and cross-border cooperation.
The Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, the Co-Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission on cooperation Anatoly Rusetsky claimed that great opportunities exist for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation. He thinks that parliamentary cooperation will allow to develop economic cooperation and cultural contacts. 'Issues of inter-regional and cross-border cooperation are also topical,’ he noted.
The participants of the meeting discussed the issues of Ukrainian-Belarusian trade and economic cooperation in the context of integration processes.
The Government Commissioner for European Integration Valeriy Pyatnytskiy, particularly noted that ‘Ukraine’s Government creates all the opportunities for business, conditions for attracting foreign investments, promotes development of trade and economic relations. Relations with Belarus are of high priority for us. For the last ten years, the volume of trade between our countries has increased by ten times, which is one the most dynamic indices in the world.’ V. Pyatnytskiy also noted the decrease of over 20% in the volume of trade between the two countries as compared with the same period of the last year. According to him, for the last years, an unfavourable balance could have been observed in trade between the countries. Thus, as V. Pyatnytskiy stressed 'achieving a favourable balance should be an important part of our cooperation.’
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus Valentin Velichko stated that ‘a free trade area actually exists between the two countries, as there are practically no withdrawals of any positions in bilateral relations.’ He also stressed that supply of agricultural products occupies the first place in volume of trade between the two countries, and electricity supply from Ukraine has increased to 2,5 bln. hours. He added that earlier the first place was occupied by metallurgical and mechanical products.
It was noted during the meeting that issues of Ukrainian-Belarusian trade and economic cooperation do not require additional legislative regulation. It was stressed that there are all legislative and negotiated means for further development of mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Parties spoke about further strengthening of Ukrainian-Belarusian inter-country relations, improving mechanism of addressing legal issues, creating favourable conditions for mutual promotion of goods, capital and work force to domestic markets.
The Parties also discussed the issues of inter-regional and cross-border cooperation of Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus, their legislative support, status, problems and prospects of development.
The First Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Construction and Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine Hryhorii Semchuk noted a significant role of regions in this sphere. According to him, there can be seen an activisation of inter-regional and cross-border cooperation. Representatives from regions started meeting more, exchanging experience and conducting joint inter-regional events.
H. Semchuk stressed that potential in strengthening inter-regional and cross-border cooperation of Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus is far from being exhausted.
Participants of the meeting emphasized the necessity of strengthening and improving efficiency of Ukrainian-Belarusian relations, improving mechanism of resolving legal and administrative problems, enhancing support of regions’ initiatives of both countries.
The issue of Ukrainian-Belarusian inter-parliamentary cooperation and ways of its efficiency was also discussed.
The Chairman of the subcommittee of the Committee on the Rule of Law and Justice Viktor Tykhonov appreciated successful work of the Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Belarusian Joint Commission.
Co-Chairmen of the Fourth meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission on cooperation between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus I.Kalyetnik and A. Rusetsky, summing up the meeting, stressed the necessity to prepare for consideration at future meeting of the Commission more specific issues in the spheres of mutual interest.