“We are here to support democratic development in Ukraine, bearing in mind next year’s elections,” said President of the Storting Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen, who led the Storting’s delegation on its official visit to Ukraine 18 to 20 September.

Second Vice President of the Storting Morten Wold (Progress Party) and Storting representatives Liv Signe Navarsete (Centre Party) and Olemic Thommessen (Conservative Party) are also part of the delegation.

Political meetings

On the visit’s first day, the delegation met the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament), Andriy Parubiy, as well as Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, President Petro Poroshenko and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin.

A recurring topic in all meetings was the ongoing and difficult conflict with Russia.

“I am deeply impressed to see Ukrainian politicians pressing on with their important reform efforts – reforms crucial to the country’s democratic development and Euro-Atlantic integration – even as they describe how challenging the conflict with Russia is,” said Ms Trøen.

She hopes and expects that the fight against corruption and the reinforcement of due process principles will continue before and after the parliamentary and presidential elections.

Applause during the plenary session

The Storting, along with the other Nordic and Baltic parliaments, has worked closely with the Ukrainian parliament in recent years. Ukrainian parliamentarians have been on three study visits with the Storting, among other interactions.

In the political meetings, the Ukrainians expressed great gratitude for the Storting’s support in the difficult years since the Maidan revolution in 2014.

“It is great to hear that Ukrainian politicians are now working to improve the efficiency of the parliament and have put children and young people on the agenda in connection with guided tours,” said Ms Trøen.

The Norwegian delegation was also given an opportunity to observe the Rada in session, and received a resounding round of applause while in the guests’ area.

Wreath on Maidan square

On the second day of the visit, Ms Trøen placed a wreath in memory of the people who died in 2014 on Maidan square. The delegation also visited a school project about democracy organised by the European Wergeland Centre, and had a meeting with the Council of Europe’s office in Kiev.

Prior to its departure, the delegation visited Shevchenko University.

“In my speech I addressed the importance of young people taking action to promote the development of democracy in Ukraine. It is the young people who will lead their country into the future,” said Ms Trøen.