Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn and Swedish Parliament (Riksdag) Speaker Per Westerberg met in Kyiv on Thursday to discuss cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union, as well as the priorities of Sweden linked to its upcoming presidency of the European Union from July 1, 2009.
Westerberg said at a briefing that the goal of the Swedish parliamentary delegation's visit to the country was the "improvement of good neighborly relations with Ukraine."
He said that during its presidency of the European Union, Sweden would focus on global climate change and the improvement of free trade with the union.
He expressed hope that with the support of all of seven parties represented in the Swedish parliament, the idea of the E'sU extension would become an impetus to all non-member states of the European Union.
Westerberg said that the fight against corruption, ensuring the rule of law, and the improvement of the law enforcement system were required for Ukraine's development.
He also said that the Eastern Partnership initiative currently being debated in the European Union foresaw the need for a mutual understanding and a common perception on the part of the EU's non-member states.
Lytvyn, in turn, said that he had had an "interesting and extremely fruitful talk" with his Swedish colleague.
"We're united by our mutual aspiration to deepen our cooperation and our joint position on how Europe and the world should be developed," he said.
