Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, believes that implementation of the administrative and territorial reform requires clear vision and strategic thinking.
In the interview to Interfax-Ukraine news agency, V.Lytvyn stated that the applicable Laws should be harmonized with the restored Constitution of 1996. "Thus, I would rather talk not about the administrative reform in itself, but about harmonization of the legislative base with the effective Fundamental Law," he stressed.
The Head of the Parliament believes that implementation of the administrative and territorial reform requires clear vision and strategic thinking. It is necessary to fix the functions of ministries and departments, and form a multi-faceted state administration system. A perfunctory approach to this problem will provoke protests. "Moreover, traditions and customs should be considered," V.Lytvyn claimed.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supposes that the number of districts may be cut down, provided "there is a walking distance to a pharmacy, post office, social security office, food store, etc." "Services should be accessible. Limits of the district will be unimportant then," V.Lytvyn stated. "However, implementation of the reforms needs substantial financial support."
"We should not forget about the local patriotism. It is a sensitive issue to be kept in mind," he stressed.
The Head of the Parliament deems necessary to preserve the town and townships that "keep the monuments and museums of local history with unique exhibits."