PLENARY MEETINGS OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SEVENTH CONVOCATION WERE HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Turchynov gave the floor to people’s deputy Serhii Hrynevetskyi who informed that the Committee on National Security and Defence had refined the draft law on amendments to article 36 of the Law “On pensions for persons discharged from military service and certain other persons” (Reg. No. 2124), and asked to include it into the agenda and adopt the respective decision.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the bill in the second reading and in entirety with 237 votes.
On the demand of the Party of Regions and CPU factions, a break was announced.
After the break, representative of the Party of Regions faction Valerii Pysarenko informed that leaders of factions agreed to refine the Memorandum of Peace and Consent, and expressed belief that until 12 o’clock they would be able to agree on the Memorandum’s text.
People’s deputies considered in the second reading the draft law on amendments to several laws of Ukraine re improvement of defense and mobilization issues during mobilization (Reg. No. 4785).
Chairman of the Committee on National Security and Defence Oleksandr Kuzmuk reported on amendments introduced during elaboration of the draft law for the second reading. In his words, 24 suggestions were received, among which 17 were took into consideration entirely.
Following the voting results, 2 votes lacked for adopting the bill in entirety (224 in favour).
After a detailed discussion of some controversial provisions and adopting suggestions regarding them, the bill was adopted in entirety with 250 votes.
MPs included to the agenda and considered the draft law on amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine (re strengthening responsibility for violating citizens’ electoral rights) under Reg. No. 4741.
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Serhii Chebotar reported on the bill. He claimed this law is aimed at protecting citizens’ electoral rights, strengthening responsibility for their violation, introducing international experience into the national legislation, etc.
Chair of the Committee on Legislative Support of Law Enforcement Andrii Kozhemiakin said the Committee recommends that the Verkhovna Rada adopt the bill as a basis and in entirety.
During the discussion, MPs stressed the importance of this law, adoption of which will allow hold presidential elections responsibly.
The coalition factions upheld the suggested amendments.
People’s deputies did not uphold the bill (223 in favour).
Chair of the Committee on State Building and Local Self-Government Davyd Zhvania informed about the draft law on amendments to the Law “On elections of the President of Ukraine”. Particularly, he informed about three technical amendments.
D. Zhvania claimed the Committee recommends that the Verkhovna Rada adopt the bill as a basis and in entirety.
People’s deputies upheld the bill under Reg. No. 4905 as a basis and in entirety with 241 votes.
The Verkhovna Rada ratified the Memorandum of Understanding between Ukraine as the Borrower and the European Union as the Lender, and the Loan Agreement between Ukraine as the Borrower, National Bank of Ukraine as an Agent of the borrower and the European Union as the Creditor on providing Ukraine with the EU macro-financial assistance amounting to EUR 1 billion (Reg. No. 0085).
The Chairman announced a break.
After the break, Oleksandr Turchynov said that the Memorandum of Peace and Consent is still being agreed upon, as soon as leaders of factions reach an agreement, the document will be put to vote.
People’s deputies repeatedly considered the draft law metrology and metrological activity in the first reading (Reg. No. 4583). Representative of the Committee on Industrial and Investment Policy Serhii Matviienkov informed that the Committee suggests adopt the bill in the first reading.
MPs did not uphold the bill (207 in favour).
After a short discussion, people’s deputies adopted the bill as a basis with 239 votes.
The draft law on standardization was adopted as a basis with 237 votes (Reg. No. 4585).
MPs considered the issue on including draft laws and resolutions to the agenda. Only the bill on amendments to several legislative acts of Ukraine (re functioning of the State Land Bank) under Reg. No. 4784 was included to the agenda.
The Chairman informed that according to article 131 of the Constitution of Ukraine, the Minister of Justice is ex officio member of the High Council of Justice. According to article 17 of the Law “On the High Council of Justice” and article 217 of the Law “On Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada”, before accession to an office a member of the High Council of Justice takes an oath to the Verkhovna Rada.
Minister of Justice Pavlo Petrenko took an oath of a High Council of Justice member to the Verkhovna Rada.
The Chairman adjourned the morning meeting.
At the beginning of an evening meeting, Oleksandr Turchynov informed about the Conciliatory Council meeting held during the break. Following its results, leaders of deputies’ factions and groups agreed upon the Memorandum of Peace and Consent. Oleksandr Turchynov read out the Memorandum’s text.
People’s deputies expressed remarks to the Memorandum and made their suggestions to its text.
The draft resolution on the Memorandum of Peace and Consent (Reg. No. 4904) was included to agenda with 249 votes, and adopted as a basis and in entirety with 252 votes.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Turchynov gave the order to ensure unhampered political campaigning for future elections.
Oleksandr Turchynov informed that leaders of deputies’ factions and groups suggest that people’s deputies should work with voters instead of holding plenary meeting on May 21-23.
The Chairman adjourned the evening meeting.
The next plenary meeting of the Verkhovna Rada will be held on Thursday, May 29.