THE SECOND SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SEVENTH CONVOCATION HAS STARTED ON FEBRUARY 22
The first plenary meeting of the second session has started at 12.45 p.m.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Rybak informed that according to the results of written registration of people’s deputies, 346 people’s deputies have registered to participate in the meeting.
Volodymyr Rybak announced the second session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine seventh convocation open.
The Ukrainian national anthem was played in the session hall.
Volodymyr Rybak read out the names of absent people’s deputies by factions.
The Chairman informed that on February 17, 2013 the Central Election Commission registered the people’s deputy of Ukraine Ivan Myrnyi, elected by the list of the Party of Regions in a multi-mandate national constituency on 28 October 2012.
The newly-elected people’s deputy swore the oath before the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
The Chairman suggested members of the Parliament consider two issues: draft law on amendments to article 47 of the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and draft resolution of the Statement of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine “On fulfilment of Euro-integrational aspirations of Ukraine and conclusion of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement”.
People’s deputies supported the respective agenda of the meeting by 342.
Volodymyr Rybak informed that since February 5 tense negotiations with leaders of parliamentary factions in regard to organizing the work of the parliamentary were held. "We all came to the conclusion that blocking of the Parliament can not proceed further... Neither people of Ukraine, nor our voters will forgive us this," he stressed.
The Chairman noted that the current Rules of Procedure ensures legislative activity of the Parliament in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine and in full capacity. "We have tested the voting system of Verkhovna Rada, it works. But today we have preceded the specialists of NAS of Ukraine with application to offer a system that will allow voting only in person. Nobody will vote for his neighbour. They will offer their suggestions regarding the new system, its financial cost and timing of production.
I will refer the draft resolution on adopting such system in the Verkhovna Rada,” noted the Chairman.
“All we need is strict implementation of the Rules of Procedure and the Constitution of Ukraine by the people’s deputies. That is why we amended only one article of the Rules of Procedure,” he stressed.
Volodymyr Rybak read out the text of the bill.
The bill stipulates that “Voting is performed by the people’s deputy in person with the help of electronic system by voting “for”, “against” or “restrained” in the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, or in the place predetermined for secret voting near the hall for plenary meetings. In case the people’s deputy violates requirements regarding personal voting by voting for another people’s deputy during the plenary meeting, consideration of the agenda item might be suspended at his request. The chairman of the plenary meeting establishes presence of the respective people’s deputy in the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada, in case of his absence, he entrusts the Counting Commission to withdraw the card of the people’s deputy and pass it to the chairman of the plenary meeting and holds a repeated voting on the suggestion, being the last put to vote”.
The Chairman suggested people’s deputies adopt the bill as a basis and in entirety without discussion.
Members of the Parliament adopted the bill as a law by 339 votes.
Volodymyr Rybak read out the text of the Statement of the Verkhovna Rada “On fulfillment of Euro-integrational aspirations of Ukraine and conclusion of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement”
According to the Statement, “The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, taking into account that the European perspective of Ukraine has to become a unifying factor around which the vast majority of political forces is consolidated; bearing in mind the importance of activity of the European Parliament Mission authorized representatives A. Kwasniewski and P. Koks; and expecting positive results of the next EU-Ukraine Summit, scheduled for February 25, 2013 and the Eastern Partnership Summit, scheduled for November 28-29, 2013;
states that within its authorities:
it will ensure implementation of the recommendations regarding signing of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement set out in the European Parliament resolutions and the EU Council Conclusions, approved on December 10, 2012 at the meeting of foreign ministers of the EU Member States;
promote full implementation of measures agreed with the EU, especially in the framework of the Agenda of the EU-Ukraine Association and the Ukraine Visa Liberalization Action Plan with the European Union and ensure ratification of amendments to the EU-Ukraine Visa Facilitation Agreement;
intensify adoption of laws on adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to the EU legislation, in particular, those provided by the respective National Program of Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to the EU Legislation, approved by the Law of Ukraine of March 18, 2004 No. 1629-IV, as well as those belonging to the reforms of the judicial system, criminal justice system and the electoral legislation, including recommendations contained in the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Final Report and conclusions of the Venice Commission;
The Verkhovna Rada calls on the European Union and its Member States:
as soon as the Ukrainian Party demonstrates decisive actions and significant progress in three spheres determined in the European Council conclusions and performs necessary internal procedures, to provide immediate signing of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement; ensure the possibility of preliminary, before the ratification process is completed by all EU Member States, implementation of some of its provisions, particularly in regard to establishing deepened and comprehensive free trade zone;
ensure strict and full implementation of the EU-Ukraine Agreement on the facilitation of issuance of visas to realize the right of citizens of Ukraine to free movement within the European Union without prejudice to their honor and dignity; adopt the decision to proceed to the final phase of the Implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan with the European Union and to introduce visa free regime for the citizens of Ukraine, as soon as the necessary conditions are fulfilled;
provide adequate expert and financial support to Ukraine in the process of preparation to implementation of the Association Agreement, first and foremost in order to adapt state economy, the regulatory environment, to functioning in circumstances of deepened and comprehensive free trade zone with the EU”.
Volodymyr Rybak suggested adopt the Statement without discussion.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the Statement of the Verkhovna Rada “On fulfillment of Euro-integrational aspirations of Ukraine and conclusion of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement” by 315 out of 349 votes.
The Chairman adjourned the plenary meeting.
Next plenary meeting of the second session will be held on Tuesday, March 5.