PLENARY MEETINGS OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF THE SEVENTH CONVOCATION WERE HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014.
347 people’s deputies registered for participation in the plenary meeting.
Having opened morning plenary session, Oleksandr Turchynov noted that the situation is extremely tense. “Aggression on the part of Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Crimea continues. Being covered by the Russian military, they try to carry out farce named “referendum”, which can have no legal or legitimate consequences. This farce is being used by enemies of Ukraine in order to commit a crime against our state and annex part of its territory. Ukraine will not allow this happen,” he stressed.
According to Oleksandr Turchynov, “the problem lies not only in Crimea.” “There are attempts to destabilize situation in the Eastern and Southern regions of Ukraine. Agents, provocateurs, agitators and mercenaries of the neighboring country work on this. They treat the Ukrainian state not as a native land and they are ready to commit crimes against their country. Danger lies in the fact that these provocations are designed to use the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and Russian military men keep remaining along the eastern border of our country,” he noted.
Oleksandr Turchynov informed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been put on full combat alert and we have initiated the All-Ukrainian military exercises. Now there is a clear vision of the state of our army, the state in which it turned to be during the Yanukovych-Azarov regime. We actually start restoration of the Armed Forces from nothing,” he said.
Oleksandr Turchynov informed of the decision of the National Defence and Security Council that was held today at night. According to him, the following decisions were taken: to form the National Guard on the basis on Internal Troops that aims at protecting country and citizens from any crimes, as well as from internal and external aggression; to announce partial mobilization to ranks of the National Guard and Armed Forces of Ukraine and this will first of all concern volunteers, people who did their military service.
The National Defence and Security Council has also mandated the Cabinet of Ministers to meet all the primary needs of the National Guard and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to the Presiding “today Ukraine needs not that much moral support as technical and military assistance. That is why the Verkhovna Rada is suggested to consider the issue of address of our Parliament to the guarantor-states of our security in regard to meeting their commitments.”
Oleksandr Turchynov informed about the Conciliatory Council meeting, in the course of which the decision was taken to grant a hearing to the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister.
The acting Defence Minister I.Teniukh explained why the Ukrainian Armed Forces do not demonstrate dynamic actions. According to him, this is an ambiguous issue, which lies in the dimension of legal statute of the Armed Forces.
“First of all, there is no de-jure open aggression: leadership of the Russian Federation rejects involvement of its troops in the Crimean developments.
Secondly, legal regime of martial law was not announced, without which use of Armed Forces is illegal and entails criminal responsibility. Any dynamic actions of the Armed Forces to stabilize situation in Crimea will be shown as the use of force against our own people.
Thirdly, no due attention was ever attached to financing of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They were financed only within the social package, at most.
Secondly, we have never considered danger on the part of Russia, which was a military-political and military-strategic mistake,” answered I.Teniukh.
The acting Defence Minister informed that the armed forces of the Russian Federation conduct military exercise along eastern borders of Ukraine and in Crimea. Thus, there are 220 thousand of military men, 1 800 of tanks, more than 400 helicopters, 150 planes and 60 ships, which exceeds the Armed Forces of Ukraine several times.
I.Teniukh noted that “organization, resources, tactics and morale wins in the war.” According to him, “at present, the Armed Forces have only the two latter components – tactics and morale.” “We have put all Armed Forces on full combat alert. If the general number of ground forces equals to 41 thousand, of which 20 thousand should be ready, we actually have only 6 thousand,” he claimed.
The official noted that the Defence Ministry, the General Staff and government work on overcoming this extremely complicated situation.
I.Teniukh addressed the Verkhovna Rada with a request to pass amendments to the Law “On State Procurement”. He stressed that “under such circumstances, the decision should be taken on immediate meeting of needs of the Armed Forces.”
The Prime Minister of Ukraine Arsenii Yatseniuk took the floor. He said that he cannot disclose all data regarding the state of combat readiness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He has confirmed that “for the past four years there was carried out a systemic sabotage to undermine national security and defense.”
The Prime Minister informed about financing of military men in Crimea.
A.Yatseniuk reminded of the Budapest Memorandum. “The Ukrainian government addresses the Parliament - vote with the constitutional majority of votes on the address to the guarantor-states of the Budapest Memorandum, so that they meet their commitments given to the Ukrainian state.”
In his speech, A.Yatseniuk commented on “the so called Crimean referendum.” On behalf of the Government of Ukraine he claimed that “there is no legitimate authority in the form of the so called government of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. This is a group of bandits that has seized authority in an unconstitutional manner and is supported by the Russian military men.”
Chairman of the Government deems that the authority should initiate the national political dialogue and it should start it with the Crimean issue. According to him, “the government is ready for this.”
A.Yatseniuk claimed that “no legitimate referendum will be held in Crimea. And any “decisions” of the so called “referendum” will not be effective.” He informed that the decision of the Venice Commission is expected for Friday. It pertains to holding referendum in Crimea and adoption of the law on actual annexation of Ukrainian territories on the part of Russian State Duma, which is violation of the international law.
The Prime Minister informed of further steps to be taken. He said that he leaves for the US, which is one of the guarantor-states that have signed the Budapest Memorandum.
On behalf of the Ukrainian Government, A.Yatseniuk claimed that “Ukraine is ready for transparent negotiations with the Russian Federation and for development of a new type of relations between Ukraine and Russia, where Russia recognizes sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian course to European integration. Bilateral relations when we meet our commitments and not just sign them, when Russia stops seizure of the territory of sovereign and independent state through military aggression.”
The Prime Minister upheld establishment of a contact group. He noted that establishment of a contact group should be held at the level of guarantor-states, and member states of the European Union, the OSCE and the UN.
A.Yatseniuk informed of his visit to Brussels, where he met with heads of states and heads of governments of the European Union member states. He noted that as a result of the meeting, the European Union took the decision to sign the political part of the Association Agreement with Ukraine.
He informed also of the joint decision to hold additional consultations on signing the documents regarding free trade zone.
A.Yatseniuk said that “the general assistance package, proposed to Ukraine, amounts to USD 15 billion.”
The Prime Minister reported on the arrival of the International Monetary Fund mission to Ukraine and on several meetings that were held.
A.Yatseniuk informed about government’s legislative initiatives.
According to him, the government has urgently adjusted the draft law on state procurement.
A.Yatseniuk noted that the government has taken the decision and he addresses members of the Parliament with a request to immediately vote on the law on regaining of trust in the court system of Ukraine.
Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Valentyn Nalyvaichenko informed about the results of work of the Service.
He noted that at present, cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs enjoys the highest level of trust and effectiveness.
At the request of the Party of Regions, the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine informed about the detention of the former head of Kharkiv Oblast State Administration Mykhailo Dobkin.
Deputy Chairman of the Prosecutor General Oleksii Bahanets informed about criminal proceedings on the grounds of article 110 of part two of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
O.Bahanets informed that in the course of urgent investigative actions, the Security Service of Ukraine investigators sent a submission to a court about detaining Mykhailo Dobkin and his transporting to the Shevchenko district court for consideration of the issue on a preventive measure by way of detention in custody.
The Chairman informed about people’s deputy O.Yehorov’s resignation from the Party of Regions faction and people’s deputy Ye.Kartashov’s entering this faction.
Representatives of deputies’ factions voiced their statements, messages and proposals.
Factions’ representatives upheld adoption of the Address to the guarantor-states of Ukraine’s security.
The Chairman informed that on March 10, 2014, the Central Election Commission acknowledged Furman Oleksii Yuriiovych, a member of the political party “All-Ukrainian union “Svoboda,” included into the electoral list under No. 26, and elected on October 28, 2012 in a multi-mandate nationwide district, as elected and registered people’s deputy of Ukraine.
Oleksii Furman and Oleh Bondarchuk took the oath of a people’s deputy.
MPs considered the draft resolution on the Address of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in connection with termination of decision of the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea dd. March 6, 2014.
People’s deputy V.Lytvyn suggested supplement the draft address with clause five.
People’s deputies upheld the resolution with supplements with 255 votes.
People’s deputy S.Pashynskyi read requests of citizens present at the square in front of the Verkhovna Rada addressed to the Verkhovna Rada.
The Chairman instructed specialized committees to work on these requests and take them into account in their work.
The draft resolution on the Address of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the guarantor-states of Ukraine’s security was included into the agenda.
MPs upheld the Address with 263 votes. According to the resolution, “the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine addresses states-parties of the Budapest Memorandum and international organizations with a request to apply practical measures aimed at ensuring territorial integrity and security of Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine addresses the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America, as states-parties of the Memorandum on Security Assurances in connection with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, with a request to fulfill all their obligations according to the Memorandum’s provisions and apply all possible diplomatic, political, economic and military measures to immediately stop aggression and preserve independence, sovereignty and present borders of Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine addresses the Russian Federation according to Memorandum on Security Assurances in connection with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons with a demand to immediately withdraw its troops from the territory of Ukraine, to stop aggression against Ukrainian State and to guarantee its territorial integrity and independence.”
The Chairman announced a break.
After the break Oleksandr Turchynov informed that O.Furman and O.Bondarchuk entered “Svoboda” faction.
People’s deputy Ruslan Kniazevych informed about the draft law “On elections of deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, city councils, village, township and city mayors” (re technical and legal improvement of electoral process).
Chairman of the Committee on State Building and Local Self-Government Davyd Zhvaniia reported on the decision of the Committee to recommend that the Parliament adopt the bill as a basis.
During the discussion, the people’s deputies voiced their remarks and proposals. Following the results of the voting, the bill did not receive enough votes to be adopted (215 in favour).
People’s deputies re-considered two laws with proposals of the President of Ukraine “On amendments to the laws of Ukraine “On architectural activity” and “On licensing certain types of economic activity” and “On amendments to several legislative acts of Ukraine re childhood protection.”
Following the results of voting, both laws were rejected.
Specialized committees were instructed to elaborate new bills and introduce them for consideration of the Parliament.
MPs considered the draft resolution on referring Burshtyn city of Halych Region of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast to category of cities of Oblast significance.
The Chairman informed that the Verkhovna Rada received proposals regarding candidates for positions of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine judges: Melnyk Mykola Mykolaiovych, Sas Serhii Volodymyrovych, Slidchenko Ihor Dmytrovych, Stretovych Volodymyr Mykhailovych, Shevchuk Stanislav Volodymyrovych. According to him, all personal cases of theses candidates will today be distributed to people’s deputies in order for this issue be considered in the committee, and so that on Thursday people’s deputies could vote for it.
The Chairman announced a break in the plenary meeting.
At the beginning of a meeting, MPs adopted the decision on the draft resolution on referring Burshtyn city of Halych Region of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast to category of cities of Oblast significance.
The draft resolution did not receive enough votes to be adopted (202 in favour).
MPs granted a hearing to Chairman of the Committee on Legislative Support of Law Enforcement A.Kozhemiakin about instruction of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada to analyze the list of political prisoners that were enumerated at the plenary meeting dd. February 27, 2014 during discussion and adoption of the draft law “On amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On amnesty in Ukraine (re full rehabilitation of political prisoners).”
The Chairman suggested uphold a specified list of political prisoners elaborated by the Committee on Legislative Support of Law Enforcement.
MPs made specifications to the adopted Law “On amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On amnesty in Ukraine” with 235 votes.
People’s deputies included such draft laws to the agenda: on rehabilitation of persons that were illegally sentenced (Reg. No. 4389); on the National Guard of Ukraine (Reg. No. 4393); on amendments to several legislative acts of Ukraine (Reg. No. 4394).
MPs considered the draft resolution on holding parliamentary hearings entitled “Legislative insurance of developing informational society in Ukraine.”
The Verkhovna Rada upheld the draft resolution with 239 votes.
People’s deputies returned to draft law “On elections of deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, city councils, village, township and city mayors” (re technical and legal improvement of electoral process).
The draft law was adopted as a basis with 232 votes.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted such resolutions: on renaming village Mala Tarasivka of Brovary region of Kyiv Oblast; on renaming village Bystrytsia of Drohobych region of Lviv Oblast; on renaming village Mezhyrichchia of Mlyniv region of Rivne Oblast; on referring Burshtyn city of Halych Region of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast to category of cities of Oblast significance; on referring Novhorod-Siverskyi city of Novhorod-Siverskyi region of Chernihiv Oblast to category of cities of Oblast significance; on changing and establishing borders of city Korosten and Korosten region of Zhytomyr Oblast.
Chairman of the Committee on National Security and Defence Volodymyr Lytvyn reported on the draft resolution on report of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on Ukraine’s participation in peace and security support activities in 2012.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the resolution in entirety with 235 votes.
MPs adopted the resolution on Recommendations of parliamentary hearings entitled “Availability and quality of secondary education: status and ways of improvement” with 238 votes.
People’s deputies considered several bills in the first reading.
Following the results of the voting, the draft law on amendments to several legislative acts of Ukraine on education re organization of inclusive education was adopted as a basis.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted as a basis and in entirety the draft law on amendments to several laws of Ukraine” (re ensuring openness and transparency in the activity of mandatory state social insurance funds).
People’s deputies included draft resolution on amendments to the Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine “On commemorating participants of armed conflicts during peaceful protest actions.”
The Resolution was adopted as a basis and in entirety with 255 votes.
The Chairman adjourned the evening meeting.
Next plenary meeting of the fourth session will be held on Thursday, March 13.