THE SEVENTH SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SIXTH CONVOCATION OPENED ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

In the beginning of the morning plenary meeting, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, announced that Viktor Yanukovych, the President of Ukraine, Mykola Azarov, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, the members of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Head of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, the Head of the Supreme Administrative Court of Ukraine, the Head of the National Bank of Ukraine, the Head of the Court of Auditors, the Ombudsperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, the Head of the High Council of Justice, the Heads of the Diplomatic Representative Offices of the foreign states and other officials attended the grand ceremony.

The delegation of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania headed by Ms I.Degutiene, Speaker of the Seimas, who is staying with an official visit in Ukraine, also attended the opening ceremony.

399 People´s Deputies registered to attend the plenary meeting.

In compliance with clause 83 of the Constitution of Ukraine, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, declared the seventh session of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the sixth convocation open.   

The choir performed the National Anthem of Ukraine.

President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych delivered the speech before the People´s Deputies of Ukraine. He dwelled on the challenges Ukraine faced and efforts of the authorities to overcome them.

Among the crucial tasks of the authorities, V.Yanukovych singled out fighting economic crisis. He wished success and fruitful work to The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

Mykola Azarov, Prime Minister of Ukraine, greeted the People´s Deputies with the opening of the seventh session.

He expressed his hopes for fruitful cooperation with the Parliament in the drafting and adoption of the State Budget of Ukraine for 2011, which he considers as the key objective of the Government.

M.Azarov expects that the adjusted Tax Code aimed at modernization and revival of the country will be adopted in the nearest time.

The Prime Minister stated that "jointly with the Parliament, the Government will be able to develop a legislative base, transforming the welfare sector into the efficient tool for satisfying public needs."  

Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, briefed on the peculiarities of the seventh session and tasks facing the Parliament.

"This session should decide whether Ukraine will follow the path of reforms and revival, or will be drawn into the political arguments," V.Lytvyn stated. "The next half year of the Parliament´s work will demonstrate whether the parliament members can offer a legislative support of the reforms initiated by the President of Ukraine."

V.Lytvyn warned against the attempts to repeat the scenario of the event development employed 10 years ago. "It is not The Verkhovna Rada that is a center of conflict. Employment of several persons is the problem. We need dialogue and reforms," the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed.

Among the key tasks of The Verkhovna Rada, the Chairman singled out provision of state capacity, unity and political stability; implementation of systemic reforms "to disclose creative potential for every person in particular, and nation on the whole."

During the grand ceremony, the authorized representatives of the deputy factions of the political parties and blocs delivered their speeches.

People´s Deputy Volodymyr Kaplienko announced establishment of the inter-faction deputy faction "Reforms for the Future" including 17 parliament members.

A 30-minute recess was announced on the request of the BYuT and Our Ukraine-People´s Self-Defence Factions.

After the recess, the People´s Deputies scrutinized the agenda of the seventh session of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the Sixth Convocation.  

The People´s Deputies listened to the Report of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on Implementation of the Resolution of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of July 8, 2010 "On the Nation-Wide Discussion of the Draft Tax Code of Ukraine", and on Invalidation of several Resolutions of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the Draft Tax Code of Ukraine.

The People´s Deputies took into account the report of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on Implementation of the Resolution of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of July 8, 2010 No. 2454-VI "On the Nation-Wide Discussion of the Draft Tax Code of Ukraine."

In compliance with part two of clause 48 of the Standing Orders of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the parliament members invalidated the Resolution of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of June 17, 2010 No. 2353-VI "On Adoption of the Draft Tax Code of Ukraine as a Basis" and of July 8, 2010 No. 2454-VI "On the Nation-Wide Discussion of the Draft Tax Code of Ukraine", and withdrew the Draft Tax Code of Ukraine (Reg. No. 6509).

The Cabinet of Ministers shall immediately bring forward a new draft Tax Code, the results of the nation-wide discussion considered. 

The Chairman put to the vote three bills and one draft resolution on the moratorium on the increase of prices and tariffs for public utility services, foodstuffs and staple goods.

The bills were rejected.

The bill on Amendments to Clause 43 of the Law "On Restoration of Debtor´s Solvency or Filing for Bankruptcy" (re Enterprises using Nuclear Energy) was presented.

The Verkhovna Rada adopted the bill as a basis by 248 votes.

The People´s Deputies discussed the bill on the Ban on Liquidation, Restructuring, Alienation and Lease of Recreational Facilities for the Pursuit of Non-Recreational Activity.

The bill was adopted in the first reading by 266 votes.

The bill on culture was presented. The bill on culture was adopted as a basis by 303 votes.

The morning plenary meeting was adjourned.

Opening the afternoon plenary meeting, V.Lytvyn announced a recess for further consultations on the request of the BYuT and Our Ukraine-People´s Self-Defence Factions.

The bill on Amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On the Capital of Ukraine - Hero City Kyiv" (re Establishment of District Councils) was adopted as a Law.

The Law "On Amendments to Clause 32 of the Law "On Financial Services and State Regulation of Financial Services Markets" (re Regulation of Exchange and Storage of Information under the International Cooperation in the Sector of Financial Services Market Regulation) was adopted by 249 votes.

The bill on Amendments to the Law "On Site Planning" (re Buildings of Educational and Cultural Establishments, Physical Culture and Sports, Medical and Recreational Purpose) was presented and adopted as a basis.

The bill on amendments to the Law "On Public Self-Organization Bodies" was rejected.

The bills on Amendments to certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine regarding Appeal against the Court of Arbitration and Delivery of Writs of Execution due to the Court of Arbitration Judgment and on Amendments to several Laws of Ukraine (re Implementation of Resolutions of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine) were adopted as a basis.

The afternoon plenary meeting was adjourned.

The next plenary meeting of the seventh session shall be held on Wednesday, September 8.