PLENARY MEETING OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SEVENTH CONVOCATION WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014.
Having opened the morning meeting, Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Turchynov congratulated his compatriots on the holiday of Protection of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. "The holiday of Protection of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is very important for Ukrainian people. Ukrainian Cossacks, our Ukrainian army respected Virgin Mary as their protector. Yesterday we talked with the President of Ukraine and leaders of deputies' groups and factions submitted a proposal to establish October 14 as the Day of Ukrainian Army. We hope that the President will sign this Decree today. This is a holiday of Ukrainian spirit, will to freedom and independence", he stressed and wished people's deputies sound health, happiness, peace, harmony, and welfare.
The Chairperson informed that President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko expressed a wish to participate in the plenary meeting.
Oleksandr Turchynov made several announcements. He informed that people's deputy Lev Myrymskyi withdrew from the parliamentary group "For Peace and Stability" and instructed the Secretariat to check the number of people's deputies in this group.
The Chairperson also informed about withdrawing the claim of people's deputy Artem Iliuk.
Oleksandr Turchynov suggested voting for the draft resolution on amendments to the calendar plan of the fifth session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the seventh convocation.
273 people's deputies upheld the draft resolution on amendments to the calendar plan of the fifth session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the seventh convocation (Reg. No. 5158).
The Chairperson said that President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Prime-Minister of Ukraine Arsenii Yatseniuk are participating in the plenary meeting.
The President of Ukraine congratulated people's deputies on the holiday of Protection of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary and assured that this holiday has always been one of the most important holidays of Ukrainians.
P.Poroshenko informed that yesterday he signed the decree on a new national holiday – the Day of Protector of the Fatherland which will be celebrated on October 14.
The President of Ukraine informed that he accepted the letter of resignation of Valerii Heletei, he thanked V.Heletei for a devoted service to Ukraine, and asked the Verkhovna Rada to vote for his resignation.
He also addressed the MPs to uphold the candidacy Stepan Poltorak for the post of the Minister of Defence.
The President of Ukraine reminded that the reform of defense and security sector in the national plan of reforms "Strategy 2020" is one of the priorities.
P.Poroshenko stated that issues on international cooperation, including military and technical cooperation with our partners – NATO members, the European Union, the United States of America, Canada, and others are at a totally different level.
He drew attention to the fact that there is no established mechanism of cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and volunteers, and stressed that it is necessary to improve the methods of warfare.
"Army is just being born. I would like to ask those present potential MPs to keep criticism of the army apart from elections campaign".
The President said he counts on adopting "the issues on defence capacity and also the package of anti-corruption laws".
P.Poroshenko claimed he submitted the draft law on establishing the National Anti-Corruption Bureau for consideration of the Verkhovna Rada.
The Head of State said he did not ask but demanded to adopt this bill and three other governmental anti-corruption initiatives.
"If you adopt them, I will immediately sign them, and this will become a proof that Ukraine has started implementing the Association Agreement", he said. Petro Poroshenko stressed that "the fight against corruption is, first of all, our internal problem".
Finishing his speech, the President of Ukraine drew attention to the bill on the prosecutor's office. In his words, "a lot of public organizations and the Council of Europe stressed the importance of its adoption. I shall do something that none of my four predecessors managed to do – demonstrate political will and give impetus in order to deprive the prosecutor's office of the right granted by Joseph Stalin – the right of general supervision".
P.Poroshenko called people's deputies to adopt these important laws.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the Resolution "On dismissing Heletei V.V. from the post of the Minister of Defence of Ukraine" with 293 votes.
The other resolution appointed Stepan Poltorak as the Minister of Defence (245 votes in favour).
The newly-elected Minister of Defence took an oath of the Cabinet of Ministers member.
In his speech, Stepan Poltorak noted that "Ukraine needs peace. Only up-to-date, well prepared, mobile, and well-equipped Armed Forces can guarantee it". "I clearly understand and know what to do. In order to achieve this I need time, your support and assistance to form such Armed Forces that Ukrainians would be proud of".
The Chairperson then announced consideration of the bill on the prosecutor's office and gave the floor to Chairperson of the Committee on Legislative Support of Law Enforcement Andrii Kozhemiakin who reported on the bill under Reg. No. 3541, elaborated for the second reading.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the bill on the prosecutor's office in the second reading and in entirety with 316 votes.
The Chairperson gave the floor to Prime-Minister of Ukraine Arsenii Yatseniuk who introduced the next bill – on the foundations of national anti-corruption policy in Ukraine (Anti-Corruption strategy) for 2014-2017.
A.Yatseniuk noted that “in case these laws are adopted, we will make several steps ahead in fighting corruption. The procedure of electronic declaring of income and expenses of state service men, judges and prosecutors will be introduced in Ukraine.”
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the bill in the second reading and in entirety by 284 votes.
The First Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Finance and Banking Oleksii Kaida reported on the draft law on prevention and counteraction to legalization (laundering) of the proceeds from crime or terrorism financing, as well as financing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (Reg. No. 5067) that was prepared for the second reading. He noted that the Committee on Finance and Banking has thoroughly worked on the bill and has scrutinized 111 amendments. The majority of proposals of the people’s deputies were either totally or partially included.
The bill was adopted version in the second reading and in entirety by 232 votes in the version of the Committee.
Chairperson of the Organized Crime Control and Anti-Corruption Committee Viktor Chumak informed about the bill on amendments to several legislative acts of Ukraine re determining ultimate beneficiaries of legal persons and public figures (Reg. No. 5114) that was prepared for the second reading. He informed that in the course of adjustment of the bill, the Committee received 60 proposals, of which 10 were included in entirety.
The people’s deputies upheld the bill in the second reading and in entirety by 265 votes.
Prime Minister A.Yatseniuk congratulated parliamentarians on the end of the “offshore area” in Ukraine.
Parliamentarians eliminated controversies in the adopted laws “On moratorium for compulsory sale of dwelling, compulsory disconnection of utility services and prohibition to imposing and collecting fines and other punitive sanctions in case of untimely payment for utility services by citizens residing on the territory of antiterrorist operation in the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts” (Reg. No. 4188a) and “On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine” (re refining taxation of investment activity), registered under No. 4766.
Prime Minister A.Yatseniuk reported on the draft law on amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine (re strengthening responsibility for violating citizens’ electoral rights), registered under No. 4741.
A.Yatseniuk attached attention to the fact that current Criminal Procedure and Criminal codes provide no clear responsibility for voters’ bribery, falsification of election documents, seizure of ballot boxes and actually falsification of the election process. That is why the Government of Ukraine two months ago has prepared amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine to strengthen accountability for violations of human rights during elections.
“Bribery of voters is the main problem. This should be prosecuted by law. Those who distribute buckwheat and condensed milk should consume buckwheat and condensed milk in jail instead of buying the voters,” he said.
That is why we ask the Parliament to uphold these amendments and provide Ukraine with the opportunity to choose fair and democratic Parliament,” stressed A.Yatseniuk.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the bill in the second reading and in entirety by 233 votes.
Chairperson of the Organized Crime Control and Anti-Corruption Committee Viktor Chumak reported on the draft law on the system of specially authorized subjects in the sphere of corruption counteraction (Reg. No. 5085).
The Committee Chair informed that in the course of adjustment of the bill, its title was changed to - “On amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine”
The people’s deputies approved amendments No. 92, 93 and 94 to the bill.
The bill was adopted by 278 votes in entirety.
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko thanked the people’s deputies for fruitful work. “We have made a decisive step in strengthening combating corruption.
I have no doubts that we will finally make decisive steps in order to fight corruption in Ukraine,” he stressed.
Parliamentarians considered the bill on preventing corruption (Reg. No. 5113) and adopted it in entirety by 230 votes.
Parliamentarians did not uphold the proposal of the people’s deputy of Ukraine Oleh Tiahnybok to include the bill registered under No. 2111a into the agenda.
O.Tiahnybok addressed his colleagues asking them to uphold this bill and put the historical record straight in regard to UPA veterans.
The Presiding once again put to vote the proposal to include the bill into the agenda.
The people’s deputies did not uphold it (216 votes in favor).
Oleksandr Turchynov addressed initiators asking them to look for votes in the session hall.
No other voting was successful.
Chairman of the Parliament invited leaders of the factions for consultation in the cabinet of the Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada and announced a break.
After the break, Oleksandr Turchynov drew attention that there are too little people’s deputies in the session hall.
He informed that provocations have begun near the building of the Verkhovna Rada.
Oleksandr Turchynov expressed conviction that “those throwing explosive devices and trying to attack the building of the Parliament, “consciously wanted to disrupt the today’s meeting. They did not want important economic issues connected with law-enforcement activity to be adopted.”
In connection with the fact that there were less than 226 people’s deputies in the session hall, which is necessary for taking decisions, Chairperson of the Parliament announced the plenary meeting to be closed.
Oleksandr Turchynov noted that he will consult with leaders of deputy groups and factions regarding holding an extraordinary plenary session.