Lytvyn asking Russia to support Ukrainian community

KYIV, November 23 /UKRINFORM/. Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Lytvyn has called for the speediest consideration and signing of the agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the field of ensuring the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, and asked Russia to support the Ukrainian community.

This Speaker made a statement to this effect at a meeting with the leadership of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Thursday, during his official visit to St. Petersburg, the parliamentary press service reported.

According to Lytvyn, the signing of this document will further expand cultural and humanitarian relations between the two countries.

The Verkhovna Rada Chairman also stressed the importance of Russia's support for the Ukrainian community. He reminded that the second stage of the constituent congress of the all-Russian NGO Ukrainian Congress of Russia will be held in Moscow on November 24 to approve the charter of the organization and to finalize preparation of the documents required for its registration at Russia's Ministry of Justice.

The head of the Ukrainian Parliament thanked his Russian counterparts for fruitful cooperation with the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the sixth convocation and expressed the belief that its new composition will be set to further development of the strategic partnership with Russia.

Lytvyn went to St. Petersburg to participate in activities of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States.