V.M.Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, sent his greetings to the participants of the Board of Directors meeting of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions.
The greeting reads:
"Dear Ladies and Gentlemen!
I would like to send my sincere greetings to the foreign participants of this grand meeting, as they are in majority in this hall today.
I hope that those of you who have been to Ukraine before, have already noticed the changes in our state. I also welcome those who are in Kyiv for the first time, and I wish you only pleasant impressions from the visit.
The greatest value of such meetings is the opportunity to conduct an open dialogue, share the ideas and experience, define the ways to settle the complicated problems.
It is one of the advantages of the Association of Ukrainian Cities that supports great traditions of the dialogue among the representatives of the local self-government, and guarantees their sustainable activity.
I hope the forces to assume the local authorities after the elections on 31 October will justify hopes and expectations of the voters. There is a distinct possibility of it, as the local elections will be held under the new election legislation that returns, at least partially, majority system of local elections.
Still, I hope that newly-elected local authorities will always follow a great example of coordinated and harmonized work of all branches of power demonstrated on the central level.
Thus, in summer, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a new Budget Code of Ukraine that strengthens the resource base of the local self-government. At the present moment, a new Tax Code of Ukraine is being worked upon. The tax legislation is expected to be adopted by the Parliament of Ukraine after a thorough public discussion.
Undoubtedly, it is only the first steps on the way towards reforms. Today serious and effective changes and reformation of the public utility service sphere, cities infrastructure, and land relations, system of public health and social security are necessary.
Ukraine feels a great need in the implementation of the administrative and territorial reform to form self-sufficient territorial communities by providing equal access to the fundamental services guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine and the Laws of Ukraine to the citizens of more than 30 000 townships in Ukraine.
We have shared the experience of the European neighbors and community in this sphere, as the majority of the European Union member states have come to the efficient regional management with the help of such reforms without extra difficulties and problems for the citizens.
All the dignitaries (central or local) shall first of all consider the needs of the citizens, however, the local self-government should enjoy more opportunities.
I would like to wish efficient work and decisions, warm memories about visiting the capital of Ukraine Kyiv city to all the participants of this event.
V. LYTVYN