“Today Ukraine, as a post-Soviet country, walks the way of modernization of the system of local self-government. I am convinced that only through qualitative and modern local self-government of European style Ukraine can become a prospering country with a developed local democracy,” claimed Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Koshulynskyi in the course of negotiations with delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe headed by President of the Congress Herwig van Staa.
However, Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine noted that reforming of
local self-government, as well as territorial organization of authority
requires significant amending of the Constitution of Ukraine. R.Koshulynskyi reminded that on June 26, this year, the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko referred the draft Law of Ukraine “On amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine” for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The majority of changes pertain to decentralization of public authority and reinforcing the constitutional and legal status of local self-government.
Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada noted that these suggestions are being actively discussed by the people’s deputies. He specified the essence of the suggested amendments for his European interlocutors. The politician explained that “amendments to the Main Law can be divided into three parts: the first part – amending powers of the President, the second – electoral legislation, and the third – local self-government.”
He stressed that “main debates in the Parliament today pertain to the authorities of the representative of the President; his/her election and withdrawal; and partial proposals as to adoption of additional legislative acts and laws of Ukraine that would supplement these changes,” said R.Koshulynskyi.
Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada told his interlocutors that after the Opinion of the Venice Commission is received, the Parliament will be ready to consider this issue substantially.
“I hope that the Venice Commission will prepare its Opinion in the short term, since this is important for amending the Constitution of Ukraine during the current session of the Verkhovna Rada,” stressed R.Koshulynskyi.
Within the framework of negotiations, President of the Congress Herwig van Staa noted that the European Alliance “extremely positively treats Ukraine’s intention to carry out the constitutional reform and is ready for cooperation with the Ukrainian state on many issues.” However, he said that “local self-government cannot develop unless there is peace and stability in Ukraine.” “Respect to the Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of its borders will always remain the top priority for Europe,” said Herwig van Staa.
The Parties expressed hope for further cooperation in the issue of carrying out reforms in Ukraine by simultaneously continuing expert dialogue at all levels.
Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on State Building and Local Self-Government Davyd Zhvania was in attendance at the meeting.