Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: Territorial Structure of Ukraine should be optimized as Soon as Possible.
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of theVerkhovna Rada of Ukraine, called for a serious discussion of the territorial structure optimization of Ukraine. In the interview to the "Holos Ukrainy" newspaper, he emphasised that several conditions are needed to start the debate.
Firstly, "a scientifically verified thesaurus of the territorial structure (with the definitions of the terms of space, territory, region, regionalization, administrative-territorial unit etc.) is required," he stated.
Secondly, " the units of territorial division should be systematized (with the characteristic of the status of each administrative-territorial unit, their hierarchy, data on territory and population)." It is also essential "to thoroughly investigate the evolution of the administrative-territorial subdivision of different periods and planned reforms."
It is no less important "to have not only the organized system of monitoring public mood regarding the direction and rates of the reform, but also the predictable models."
"I am deeply convinced that there are opportunities for proper organization of the thorough investigations of the obstacles for the rational organization and implementation of several variants of territorial structure optimization. It is possible to settle the urgent problems. The situation of the national regionalistics seems to provide a chance to accomplish this work on the modern level close to the European standards. "
According to the Head of the Parliament, "the frameworks of the political dimension can not be regulated, unless the social topology considers the public orientations."
V. Lytvyn is aware of the fact that the smallest danger of deterioration of the welfare standards can provoke a protest. Thus, he deems necessary to provide a theoretical and information support of the reforms before launching them. "It is absolutely necessary to explain the motivations of the reforms. Optimization of the territorial structure of a large state is impossible, unless the measures seemingly infringing the public rights are taken."
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expects a serious work on the legislative level. In particular, coordination of the principle of irremovability of the territorial borders of local powers (clause 5 of the European Charter) with the legislative indefiniteness of the Ukrainian territory of the local self-government. "There is a great number of bills to be amended. Thus, the work should start as soon as possible", he declared.