Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko at a meeting in the President of the Storting’s office. Photo: Storting.
Reform efforts on the agenda
The reform process and the challenging situation in Ukraine were on the agenda during both meetings that President Petro Poroshenko had at the Storting on 18 October.
See pictures of the visit on Flickr. The pictures may be used freely if credited.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met both the President of the Storting, Olemic Thommessen, and the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, led by Anniken Huitfeldt, when he visited the Storting on Tuesday 18 October.
Poroshenko’s visit to Norway is the first-ever Ukrainian presidential visit to Norway.
“Continue to show support”
“President Poroshenko’s visit is historic,” said President of the Storting Olemic Thommessen. “It is important that we continue to show our support for Ukraine, both in terms of the reform effort and our defence of international law and justice. We are especially happy to be able to contribute by cooperating with the Ukrainian parliament.”
During the meeting, the Storting’s president invited Ukrainian parliamentarians to come once again to the Storting on a study visit, an invitation that was well received.
In his meeting with the President of the Storting and his subsequent meeting with the committee, Poroshenko expressed gratitude to Norway, calling it an important partner for Ukraine at a difficult time.
Despite the hostilities in eastern Ukraine and the Russian annexation of Crimea, President Poroshenko said, the reform process continues with undiminished vigour. He pointed to positive results in efforts to reform such Ukrainian institutions as the court system, the police and the tax authority as well as the energy sector.
Cooperation appreciated
In the meetings, President Poroshenko said he greatly appreciated the cooperation between Norwegian and Ukrainian authorities in a number of areas, and highlighted in particular the cooperation between the Storting and the Verkhovna Rada as an important factor in constitutional reforms of the Ukrainian parliament.
“In the difficult situation Ukraine finds itself in, it is important that Norway continue to be an active supporter of Ukraine,” said Anniken Huitfeldt, Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, after the meeting with the Ukrainian leader. “At the same time we have to express our expectations for the reform process in the country. It is important for this work to continue, despite the illegal annexation of Crimea and Russia’s continuing destabilisation policies in eastern Ukraine.”
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko meeting the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. Photo: Storting.
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Last updated: 19.10.2016 09:05