The meeting addressed the course of reforms in Ukraine, the situation in the east of our country, and coordination of efforts of parliamentary delegations at international parliamentary forums.

"We are following with regret the developments in the east of Ukraine and we want the soonest settlement of the conflict," said Ms. Speaker. - You have our comprehensive support regarding the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine."

The Parties were united in the question of necessity to realize the Minsk agreements by all sides. Volodymyr Groysman thanked Finland for persistent support of Ukraine in these extremely hard times and described the current developments in the east of Ukraine as "controlled escalation of the conflict by the Russian Federation." "Ukraine is committed to realization of the Minsk agreements and it is necessary that all sides meet their commitments in the frames of the Minsk process," said the head of the Ukrainian Parliament.

"It is impossible to realize the Minsk agreements without a constructive position of Russia, we have to be persistent to get Russia respect the international law," said Volodymyr Groysman. Verkhovna Rada chairperson called for coordination of efforts in international parliamentary institutions, including in matters related to the settlement of the conflict in the east of Ukraine.

Ms. Speaker highly praised Ukraine's efforts in realization of the Minsk agreements.

The Parties exchanged opinions on the course of the reforms in Ukraine and European aspirations of our State and advocated acceleration and enhancement of the parliamentary element in the bilateral relations.

Volodymyr Groysman said Ukraine expected a visit of Ms. Speaker in February 2016 for participation in the meeting of heads of parliaments of the Baltic States and countries of Northern Europe in Kyiv.

Following the meeting Ms. Maria Lohela in her interview with journalists support to "Ukraine, its people, the Minsk process." "We also want to support Ukraine on the way of its reforms," she said and expressed a hope for soon peace in Ukraine.

Ms. Speaker said deputies of all factions of the Parliament of Finland are interested in developing cooperation with Ukraine.

Verkhovna Rada Chairperson Volodymyr Groysman thanked Finland and Ms. Speaker personally for persistent support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, the position of our State on the international arena, and for supporting the domestic reforms.

He expressed confidence that an important step toward deeper mutually beneficial cooperation will be creation in the Parliament of Finland of the Group of Friendship with the Verkhovna Rada in the near future. Volodymyr Groysman also noted that experience of Finland in carrying out the reforms is valuable for Ukraine.

In response to questions from journalists Volodymyr Groysman stressed that Finland is "unbiased in assessing the developments in the east of Ukraine and shows comprehensive support, respect of the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine." He also highlighted the high level of cooperation at the level of parliamentary delegations of Ukraine and Finland in international parliamentary organizations.

In her turn, Ms. Speaker said Finland "strives to do what it can to make fair share of contribution" in the settlement of the conflict in the east of Ukraine.

In response to questions from journalists, Verkhovna Rada Chairperson Volodymyr Groysman said the developments in the east of Ukraine should remain in the focus of attention of the international community. "The events in Ukraine cannot be moved to the background," he said. He noted that Russia continues "to boldly disrespect the international norms, infringe on the territorial integrity of the sovereign country, military aggression against Ukraine."

In the opinion of Groysman the terrorist attacks in France are similar to attacks in Volnovakha and Mariupol, as they represent "signs of terrorism, killing of people and this requires a reaction from the side of the international community."

Today there was a meeting of Verkhovna Rada Chairperson Volodymyr Groysman with President of Republic of Finland Sauli Niinisto.

Volodymyr Groysman told the press in an interview that the meeting was very pithy and addressed the developments in the east of Ukraine, including in the context of implementation of the Minsk agreements. "The position of the President of Finland is persistent and principled, he fully supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine," he said.

http://rada.gov.ua/en/news/top_news/119454.html