PLENARY MEETINGS OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SEVENTH CONVOCATION WERE HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19.
At the beginning of the morning session, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Rybak informed that the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov, the Head of the Constitutional Court Vyacheslav Ovcharenko, the Head of the Supreme Court Yaroslav Romaniuk and other officials are present at the meeting.
The Presiding over the meeting noted that on September 17, this year, the President of Ukraine appointed Kasminin Oleksandr Volodymyrovych the judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine by his Decree.
O.Kasminin took an oath before the Verkhovna Rada.
The people’s deputies considered the issue of ratification.
The Defence Minister Pavlo Lebediev reported on the draft law on ratification of the Agreement (in the form of letter exchange) between Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Ukraine’s participation in the Ocean Shield Operation.
He noted that participation of Ukrainian Armed Forces participate in the UN counter-piracy Ocean Shield Operation since September 24, 2013 and January 2, 2014 and in the EU Operation Atlanta since January 3 till March 5, 2014 corresponds to foreign policy interests of our state and military aspects of its implementation.
Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Yuriy Miroshnychenko reported the decision of the Committee to recommend the Verkhovna Rada adopt the bill in entirety.
The Verkhovna Rada ratified the Agreement by 331 votes.
The draft law on ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society was reported by the Minister of Culture Leonid Novokhatko. He noted that adoption of this Convention will allow make respective amendments in the Ukrainian legislation.
L.Novokhatko informed that the Convention was signed by 21 countries of 47. 15 countries have already ratified it.
Chairman of the Committee on European Integration Hryhoriy Nemyrya informed that the Committee recommends the Parliament adopt this bill in entirety.
H.Nemyrya attached attention to the fact that the Convention deals also with things pertaining to democratic participation and cultural heritage, as well as cultural heritage and education.
The Committee Chair noted that under the Convention, “all forms of cultural heritage in Europe which together constitute a shared source of remembrance, understanding, identity, cohesion and creativity.
Cultural heritage is the ideals, principles and values, derived from the experience gained through progress and past conflicts, which foster the development of a peaceful and stable society, founded on respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law”.
The people’s deputies upheld the decision of the specialized Committee by 375 votes.
Defence Minister Pavlo Lebediev reported on the draft law on approval of the decision of the President of Ukraine on sending the national contingent for Ukraine's participation in the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He informed that the UN Security Council has extended the term of mandate of the UN Mission until March 31, 2014.
Thus, the Defence Ministry has elaborated the draft law, adoption of which allows prolong participation of the national contingent in Congo, increase the number of the 18th helicopter squadron by 300 military men and, send two more "Мі-24" helicopters.
Chairman of the subcommittee of the Committee on National Security and Defence Oleksandr Kuzmuk informed that the Committee has unanimously taken the decision to recommend the Verkhovna Rada adopt the bill as a basis and in entirety.
The bill was adopted in entirety by 375 votes.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee on the Rule of Law and Justice Dmytro Shpenov reported on the draft law on amendments to several laws of Ukraine re execution of courts’ judgments, prepared for the second reading. He informed that during preparation of the bill for the second reading 22 amendments were made, of which 6 were taken into consideration, including partially, and 16 were rejected.
D.Shpenov informed that the Committee recommends the Verkhovna Rada adopt the bill in the second reading and in entirety.
The people’s deputies considered amendments to the bill, suggested by the people’s deputies T.Sliuz, P.Rozenko and O.Makhnitskyi. Following the results of voting, none of them was upheld.
Since the abovementioned amendments were rejected, representatives of the opposing factions attached attention to the importance of this law. They noted that previous convocation of the Verkhovna Rada has adopted an anti-people document that restricted execution of all courts’ judgments.
It was noted that adoption of this bill is necessary for signing the Association Agreement with the EU.
Following the results of consideration, the bill was recommitted. The decision was upheld by 361 deputies.
Chairman of the Committee on Taxation and Customs Policy Vitaliy Khomutynnik reported on the draft law on amendments to the Customs Tariff of Ukraine, approved by the Law “On the Customs Tariff of Ukraine” (new version). He reminded that amendments to the Law “On the Customs Tariff of Ukraine” were made in order to fulfill commitments to the World Trade Organization for this year. During voting for the bill in the first reading, factions reached an agreement to exclude certain provisions. The Committee has fulfilled this decision.
V.Khomutynnik informed that during the preparation of the bill for the second reading, 29 proposals were received, of which 9 were taken into account and 20 were rejected.
The bill was adopted in entirety by 384 votes.
The people’s deputies considered a number of draft resolutions on appointment and dismissal of judges and took the respective decisions.
Parliament members did not support the proposal to continue evening plenary session until all the agenda items are considered. Chairman over the session adjourned the morning meeting.
At the beginning of the evening session, people’s deputies returned to consideration of the bill on amendments to several laws of Ukraine re execution of courts’ judgments.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee on the Rule of Law and Justice Dmytro Shpenov outlined amendments to the bill, suggested by the Committee.
With consideration of these proposals, the bill was adopted in entirety by 325 votes.
Chairman of the Committee on Freedom of Speech and Information Mykola Tomenko reported on the draft law on Public Television and Radio Broadcasting. He suggested recommit the bill.
Presiding over the meeting informed that representatives of factions suggest recommit this bill for the repeated second reading, having reduced the term of is preparation.
The people’s deputies upheld this proposal by 342 votes.
Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Yuriy Miroshnychenko reported on the bill on amendments to article 98 of the Constitution of Ukraine (re authorities of the Counting Chamber). He noted that the bill aims at expanding jurisdiction of the Counting Chamber and empowering it to exercise control over revenues to the State Budget of Ukraine that will ensure full control over execution of the State Budget of Ukraine.
The bill suggests new version of article 98 of the Constitution of Ukraine:
“Article 98. The control on behalf of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine over the receipt of funds to the State Budget of Ukraine and their use is exercised by the Counting Chamber.
Organization, authorities and operating procedures of the Counting Chamber are determined by the law.”
Chairman of the Committee on Judicial Policy Valeriy Pysarenko reported the decision of the Committee to recommend the Verkhovna Rada adopt the bill as a law.
The bill was adopted by 380 votes.
The people’s deputies repeatedly considered the bill on reforming state and municipal print media, registered under No. 2600.
Chairman of the Committee on Freedom of Speech and Information Mykola Tomenko reported the decision of the Committee to recommend the Verkhovna Rada adopt the bill as a basis.
The bill was adopted in the first reading as a basis by 333 votes.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted in the second reading the following bills: on amendments to article 287 of the Customs Code of Ukraine (re establishment and functioning of industrial parks); on amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service” (re performance of military duty); and on amendments to several legislative acts of Ukraine (re payment of court fee).
The draft law on amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Accounting and Financial Accountability in Ukraine” (re primary documents) was recommitted for the repeated second reading.
The people’s deputies adopted a number of resolutions on celebration of memorable dates: on celebrating the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Kirovohrad Oblast; on celebrating the 900th anniversary of the foundation of village Klevan of Rivne Oblast; on honouring military heroic deeds of the soldiers of the Red Army during the assault crossing of the Dnipro River on the territory of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; on celebrating 100th anniversary of birth of Twice Hero of Socialist Labor, organizer of Stakhanovite movement in the agriculture – P.M.Anheline; on celebrating the 800th anniversary of the foundation of village Onut, Zastavna Region of Chernivtsi Oblast.
Parliament members have repeatedly considered the draft Law “On amendments to Final Provisions of the Law “On the Regulation of Urban Development” re suspension of the ban on land acquisition” with consideration of proposals of the President of Ukraine.
The Minister of Regional Development, Construction and Housing and Utilities Economy Hennadiy Temnyk informed that the President of Ukraine did not sign this law, since amendments suggested in the law violated several constitutional provisions.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the law by 233 votes with consideration of proposals of the President of Ukraine.
Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine Eduard Stavytskyi reported on the draft law on amendments to article 6 of the Law “On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2013” (re National Joint-Stock Company “Naftogaz of Ukraine”). He noted that the bill suggests supplement article 6 of the Law “On State Budget of Ukraine for 2013” and provide the National Joint-Stock Company “Naftogaz of Ukraine” with state guarantees by commitments, within the maximum amount of state guarantees (up to UAH 50 billion), as established by article 6 of this Law.
Chairman of the Budget Committee Yevheniy Heller reported the decision of the Committee to recommend the Verkhovna Rada adopt the bill as a basis and in entirety.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the bill as a basis by 232 votes.
Presiding over the session adjourned an evening session.
Next plenary meeting of the third session will be held on Friday, September 20.