Bern (Switzerland), June 8 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn and President of the National Council of Switzerland Jean-René Germanier have signed a memorandum on inter-parliamentary cooperation.
The signing ceremony took place in Bern (Switzerland) on June 8 during Lytvyn’s official visit to Switzerland.
The document stipulates that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the National Council of Switzerland agreed to hold consultations on mutual support and assistance in inter-parliamentary bodies and international organizations. In addition, the parliaments agreed on the exchange of information about their activities and cooperation between parliamentary committees and commissions, as well as on the exchange of parliamentary delegations.
Germanier said that Ukraine and Switzerland "have built good relations."
"Our mutual relations have especially strengthened in the last few years, and we count on further steps to strengthen relations in the economic, political, humanitarian and cultural spheres… Ukraine is the second largest partner for Switzerland in terms of exports and third in terms of imports," he said.
Germanier also told Lytvyn that on Wednesday the Swiss parliament was holding a "historic debate" on issues of nuclear energy and alternative energy sources. He also said that today the Swiss Parliament also planned to decide on abandoning the use of nuclear energy.
Lytvyn, in turn, said that Ukraine understood the importance of a crucial decision to be taken in Switzerland concerning its rejection of nuclear energy.
"Today we’re living with the consequences of the Chornobyl accident," Lytvyn said.
He noted that Ukraine had 15 nuclear reactors and that the country’s nuclear power plants provided 50% of its electrical energy.
Lytvyn said that the problem of nuclear safety was a problem not only for Ukraine, but also for the whole world.
"I am confident that we can fruitfully cooperate in this area and exchange our experience," he said, adding that Ukraine has gained experience in the decommissioning of nuclear reactors.
Lytvyn said that Ukraine was pleased that there were "great dynamics" in Ukrainian-Swiss cooperation.
"I hope that the parliaments will play an active role in this issue," he said.
The sides also discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation with the European Union. Lytvyn said that cooperation between Ukraine and the EU did not cause criticism inside the country and that this issue was supported by most Ukrainian citizens. He noted that Ukraine was currently working on an association agreement with the EU and that the creation of a free trade area should be its basis.
"We look forward to completing this work by the end of this year," Lytvyn said, adding that Ukraine and the EU are also working on the issue of introducing a visa-free regime for Ukraine with EU countries.
The Federal Assembly, Switzerland’s parliament, consists of the 46-seat Council of States and the 200-seat National Council. It meets in Bern in the Federal Palace.
