By invitation of Vladimir Litvin, Chairman of the Verkhovny Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) of the Republic of Ukraine (RU) the delegation headed by RA NA Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan on November 21 was hosted in Kiev.

During the meeting with Vladimir Litvin, Speaker of Verkhovny Rada of the Republic of Ukraine, in which participated also Armen Khachatryan, Ambassador of Armenia to Ukraine and Oleksandr Bozhko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Armenia, problems of deepening the Armenian-Ukrainian parliamentary relations between parliamentary friendship groups, parties. Mr. Litvin presented in detail the process of the reforms taken place already in passed one year after the revolution in Ukraine, elaborated the political and economic moves: this week in the Verkhovny Rada the 2006 draft budget is being discussed, from January 1 next year the constitutional amendments will take into force. The establishment of inter-regional direct ties between Armenia and Ukraine was also highlighted.

At the end of the meeting an inter-parliamentary cooperation memorandum was signed, which ensures that attaching great importance to bilateral relations based on friendship, understanding and confidence, the sides pledge to develop the inter-parliamentary cooperation for the experience exchange in the social, economic, scientific, cultural and humanitarian spheres. The sides will promote the ratification of the signed treaties and agreements between Ukraine and Armenia, consultations will be held, and they will assist during the discussions of the issues of mutual interest in international structures. It is envisaged by the memorandum to establish relations between the standing committees of the parliaments, friendship groups, and parliamentary factions. The sides reached an agreement on information and legislative experience, and exchange of staffs’ training.

RA NA Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan and Vladimir Litvin, Speaker of Verkhovny Rada of the Republic of Ukraine had a briefing with the journalists.

Then the delegation laid wreaths on the monument to the Unknown Soldier.

During the meeting with Yuri Yekhanurov, Prime Minister of Ukraine, where the Ambassadors of two countries also participated they discussed problems of deepening the trade-economic ties of two countries. RA NA Speaker highlighted the effective work of the inter-governmental committee, the strengthening of regional ties, the increase of the goods turnover, the opportunities of which the two countries have.

Mr. Yekhanurov expressed his satisfaction for the visit of such high-ranking delegation from Armenia, told about the political and economic reforms in Ukraine and the discussions of the next year budget.

On November 22 Boris Tarasyuk, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine received the delegation headed by RA NA Speaker. During the meeting both sides highlighted the deepening of political cooperation within the framework of establishing democratic values and Euro-Integration processes. RA NA President highlighted the constructive position of Ukraine in the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Mr. Tarasyuk expressed readiness of the Ukrainian side in the aspect of assisting Armenia in the European processes, noting that summing up the first year of the three-year action plan Ukraine can submit the claim of EU membership. By request of the Foreign Minister of Ukraine RA NA Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan informed about the ongoing reforms in Armenia and, in particular constitutional amendments. During the meeting they also discussed the problems of deepening trade-economic and scientific-educational cooperation.

During the meeting with Viktor Yushchenko, President of the Republic of Ukraine, a wide framework of the Armenian-Ukrainian relations was discussed. It was noted that after the Ukrainian revolution this was the first visit of the official delegation from Armenia, which puts the beginning of new cooperation with the Ukrainian new authorities. Agreements were reached on the development of relations in different spheres, including the inter-state and inter-parliamentary relations. They discussed the regional developments, issues related to bilateral relations, the upcoming elections of Ukraine, development of democracy and cooperation in international structures.

By invitation of Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine, NA official delegation participated at the one-year celebration of the revolution, Liberty Day, at Kiev Maydan Square. The delegation headed by RA NA Speaker left for Tirana, capital of Albania from Kiev.