USAID RADA: Next Generation Program facilitated the study visit of the Ukrainian Parliament’s delegation to the parliament of Austria. During the visit, the Secretary-General of the Ukrainian Parliament, Viacheslav Shtuchnyi, met with his counterpart Harald Dossi, Secretary-General of the Austrian Parliament. Their meeting resulted in tightening cooperation between the parliaments.
“I want to stress how we appreciate such a welcome. I see great potential for deepening our cooperation in many areas, including EU integration, parliamentary education and parliamentary oversight mechanisms. I am looking forward to continued fruitful cooperation for the realization of our common goals", Viacheslav Shtuchnyi said.
In particular, the parties discussed initiatives in the field of European integration, such as joint exchange programs and expert support at the level of parliamentary committees. As the head of the Apparatus of the Verkhovna Rada noted, "Ukraine is actively integrating into the EU, and we believe that Austria, as an EU member state, can provide valuable support and guidance in this process."
It was also about revitalizing the cooperation of parliamentary research services and educational centers, sharing experiences between members and employees of parliaments, as well as studying best practices and mechanisms of parliamentary oversight and digital tools that helped the Ukrainian parliament maintain stable work during martial law.
The meeting between the heads of parliaments' secretariats took place within the framework of the familiarization visit of the delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the parliaments of Austria and the Czech Republic, which was organized by the USAID Program "RADA: Next Generation". The program helps the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine strengthen partnerships with foreign parliaments, enhance their cooperation at the administrative level, and bring the procedures of the Ukrainian parliament closer to EU standards.