Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko discussed the issues of parliamentary cooperation and bilateral relations with Swedish Parliament Speaker Per Westerberg at a meeting in Kyiv on Friday, the presidential press service has reported.
The parties also touched upon EU integration plans of Ukraine and the implementation of the Eastern Partnership program, which was initiated jointly by Sweden and Poland.
In this regard Yuschenko mentioned the official visit of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia of Sweden to Ukraine late in September - early in October 2008 and the Ukrainian-Sweden Business Forum, which was successfully hosted during their visit.
Westerberg in turn said that development of relations with East European countries is very important to Sweden.
The president said that second half of 2009, when Sweden is to chair the European Union, would be a positive period for further deepening of Ukraine-EU relations. Ukraine hopes that the upcoming Ukraine-EU Summit, which will be held in Kyiv in late 2009 while Sweden still chairs the union, would be no less successful than the previous one in Paris (September 9, 2008).
According to the president, it is important to include all the political agreements reached during the Paris Summit in the future Association Agreement.
Yuschenko added that Ukraine insists that the Association Agreement must clearly state all the requirements needed for the termination of visa regime between Ukraine and the EU. Ukraine also expects to get support from the Swedish presidency in including clear membership prospects into the agreement.
According to Yuschenko, Ukraine is well aware that large-scale and versatile preparation for holding the EU presidency is carried out by Sweden. He said it is important that the priorities of the presidency include the creation of a free trade zone between Ukraine and the EU.
The Ukrainian party also consisted of Acting Foreign Minister Volodymyr Khandohiy, Deputy Head of the Presidential Secretariat Andriy Honcharuk, and Head of the Parliament Secretariat Valentyn Zaichuk.
