In order to deal with the problem of low attendance of legislators, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, is considering adopting the Knesset’s’’MK attendance board.’’

Almost any parliament worldwide is facing the problem of low attendance during session and debates.

A delegation of senior Ukrainian parliament members visited Israel last week where they received a review of the Knesset's work in general. During this seminar, the MPs were astonished to find the attendance board and the way in which it operates.

The attendance board is displayed in the Knesset house itself, at the entrance of the hall, as well as on the Knesset website. The board shows the photos of all members along with their names. When an MK is attending the house, his or her’s photo and name are lit with colors, while the photo of those absent appear in black and white. The board is being updated using the information given by the Knesset ushers stationed at the entrances and exits of the building.

The Ukrainian delegation included, among others, Ukrainian “Rada” Vice President Vladimir Slishinski and the parliament’s Deputy Director General Vladimir Bondarenko. The delegation was led by Israel’s Honorary Consul in Ukraine, Oleg Vishnyakov, who has been active for the last years in encouraging relations between the two countries.

Last week also saw the state visit in Israel of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

During a meeting with the Ukrainian President, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said : “The history of the Jewish nation and the Ukrainian nation go hand in hand.Many of the founding fathers and the cultural heroes of modern Israel come from the Ukraine; our national poet Bialik was born in the Ukraine as well as Zionist leader Ze’ev Jabotinsky.”

A number of bilateral documents and agreements were signed by the leaders of two countries. A free trade area agreement will be signed in the first half of 2016, Poroshenko said.

Poroshenko concluded his meeting with Netanyahu, saying “I hope that Israeli investments into the Ukrainian economy will grow significantly.”