"Today, to represent local and regional power is not easy, because, first of all, you have to communicate with people, to inform the truth regarding certain acts of the authorities, to solve the daily problems of citizens. Therefore, I am honored to speak with you in Kiev ", - said Iryna Gerashchenko at the meeting with heads of district state administrations and heads of district and village councils, deputies of local councils who took part in the meeting.

In particular, referring to the topic of visa free regime Gerashchenko stressed that Ukraine fully fulfilled action plan for visa liberalization. "Now we expect from the EU performance their commitments as soon as possible to provide Ukraine visa-free regime. Two procedures remained in this area. The first - the debate in the European Parliament which has to give a permission to cancel visas. Second – following debate the meeting of the EU Council shall be held, which will determine the final term of visa-free regime introduction. After editing a decision in the European Journal it will take effect, "- she said.

Gerashchenko said that despite of the war in the East, a record number of internal migrants Ukraine has not created any migration risk for the EU and Europe acknowledges it. But despite this, she said, the European Union conducts very complicated discussion regarding migration, the economic situation in general and the situation in the EU. "There is a vision of several EU countries to tie the issue of visa-free of Ukraine, Georgia and Turkey to the protocol on preventing measures in terms of intensification of migration risks. Ukraine has fulfilled all, that is why we believe that these processes must go in parallel: to consider the issue of visa-free regime for our country and the issue protection of European borders from migration risks. They are not interrelated issues,” - Gerashchenko said. "This is a very serious challenge, and we share concerns facing European countries. But we should not apply double standards to Ukraine and do Ukrainian hostages of problems that are not related to our country. We are doing our best that debate would be held in the European Parliament as soon as possible” - said the first deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada. She said that members of parliament in June, plans to meet with major political groups, committees of the European Parliament and discuss the consideration for providing  Ukraine with visa-free regime.

 Gerashchenko also informed of the situation in the east of the country. In particular, she emphasized the importance of extension of sanctions against the Russian Federation to full implementation of the Minsk agreements. "Today we have a significant aggravation at the front. After the May holidays attacks increased. But namely Minsk agreements stopped full-scale offensive. Every saved life is worth to negotiate. But not with gunmen. We demand from the country-aggressor RF the performance of the Minsk agreements, "- she said.

She also noted that Ukraine requires the performance of security package of Minsk agreements - the ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy equipment, weapons and the withdrawal of foreign arms and mercenaries. Then all hostages must be released. According to her, in the occupied territories there are staying 112 Ukrainian and gunmen do not give clear information on the detention of many of them.

"Russia is trying to tie the release of the hostages to the question of amnesty. But this is quite different points of the Minsk agreements.", - said Gerashchenko.

She also noted that for Ukraine the elections in the Donbas are important but must be carried out only if the safety of all participants in line with standards of OSCE, Ukrainian legislation, with participation of Ukrainian parties. Then we get a legitimate government with which Kyiv is ready to be engaged in dialogue.

Gerashchenko reminded that on June 27 the EU should decide on the extension of sanctions against Russia. Ukraine has to loudly speak about the events in the East, abuse of the Minsk by RF and gunmen and together defend our national interests - said the First deputy Chairpeson of the Verkhovna Rada.

Also during the meeting, representatives of regions raised the question of imperfection of the law on elections to local bodies. Gerashchenko stressed the need to adopt an electoral code. Said that she is opposed to the mixed electoral system in local government but in favor of open lists and gender quota, that stimulates entering of women into power at all levels.

As for the criticism of the Ukrainian Parliament by representatives of the regions, Gerashchenko said that the Regulations of the Verkhovna Rada need changes in the framework of realization of separate Recommendations of the European Parliament mission on assess of the needs to improve the institutional capacity of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. According to her, the project provides for the systematic study of draft laws, exclusively professional approach to the agenda of the session, the schedule of plenary sessions, weekly agenda of the plenary. In addition, it is planned to change the scheduling principles of Parliament that will allow more effectively combine work in committees, temporary special and temporary investigatory commissions and deputy factions (groups). I. Gerashchenko hopes that at the Conciliatory council of factions and groups on June 13 the draft law will be submitted for consideration at the next session week.