UKRAINIANS COMMEMORATE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE REVOLUTION OF DIGNITY
Honoring the bravery of the Revolution of Dignity Heroes, on the first day of plenary the agenda of the Verkhovna Rada was filled with respective legislative proposals. The proposals focused on the social security of the Maidan protesters, allocation of land plot for the Heavenly Hundred Heroes Memorial and encouraging higher awareness about the Heroes of Ukraine.
VERKHOVNA RADA ADDRESSES OSCE REGARDING OSCE/ODIHR FINAL REPORT ON ELECTIONS IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION-2016
Appealing to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe/ Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and Parliaments of the OSCE member states, Ukrainian MPs resolved to bring to the attention the following. The cases of illegal voting on the annexed territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol must not be disregarded in the final report of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission the results of the elections to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russian Federation in 2016.
“DAY OF CRIMEA” IN THE VERKHOVNA RADA
On February 23, the cultural event “Day of the Crimea” was celebrated as a reminder that regardless of the invasion of the Russian Federation of the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, it still belongs to Ukraine. This day the visitors of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine enjoyed photo exhibitions, devoted to the people of Crimea, dances and songs, performed by young Crimean Tatar girls. A strong position was emphasized as an idea behind the event as the Chairman of Verkhovna Rada, Andriy Parubiy, stated: “No one has a right to trade Ukraine. We will bring Crimea back because Crimea is Ukraine”.
UKRAINIAN MPs APPROVE AN AGENDA OF THE 6-TH SESSION
2327 drafts to be reviewed by the end of July 2017 as the Verkhovna Rada adopts its agenda. Taking into account that the consideration capacity of the legislative proposals is limited to 100 – 150 bills per session at the most, some initiatives by the parliamentarians would have to be passed over. The previous session was an example of finding a balance between quantity and quality with 116 laws adopted, the State Budget being one of them.
SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES ARE TO INCREASE THEIR COMPETITIVENESS
Ukrainian Parliament ratified the agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on participation in the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). It runs from 2014 to 2020 with a planned budget of EUR 2.3 bln. In the framework of the programme Ukrainian SMEs have the opportunity to benefit in various ways, including the ones that would help businesses to enter the EU market, ensure the inflow of investments, encourage an entrepreneurial culture and strengthen Ukraine-EU trade relations.
CRIMINAL LAW IMPROVED
In the first reading, the Verkhovna Rada has adopted a set of amendments to the rules of judicial procedure and execution of the punishment. The most significant ones are the clarification of trial in absentia procedure, toughening the responsibility for arms smuggling, adding to the norms of pre-trial detention etc. The adoption of these and other amendments will guarantee and adhere to the provisions of human rights and inevitable punishment under the criminal procedures.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TWITTER LAUNCHED
English Twitter account of the Parliament is one of the steps to international communications development. Together with the Ukrainian Twitter account, it covers the work of the daily work of the Parliament. Have a look following this link and don’t forget to subscribe.