PLENARY WEEK OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SIXTH CONVOCATION CONCLUDED ON FRIDAY, APRIL 22
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, opened the morning plenary meeting. He briefed on the results of work of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine at the plenary meetings on April, 21.
The Chairman announced that members of the deputy factions suggested that the Government Question Hour be devoted to the report of the Minister of Foreign Affairs K.Hryshchenko on the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia concerning the customs union.
K. Hryshchenko informed that deputy factions and groups had submitted 24 written inquiries that could be subdivided into several categories. The first category is connected with a ‘3+1´ format of cooperation with the Customs Union; development of relations between Ukraine and the Customs Union; the Minister´s expectable guarantee that Ukraine would not join the Customs Union; realization of the scheme of Ukraine´s participation in the Customs Union as suggested by President of Ukraine V.Yanukovych given the fact that the statute of the Customs Union does not allow any formats other than a full-fledged membership; basic prerequisites for Ukraine´s accession to the Customs Union.
The Factions requested the Minister to comment upon the particular declarations of Ukrainian and Russian high-ranking officials concerning Ukraine´s expectable accession to the Customs Union.
K. Hryshchenko responded, "According to the legally established fundamentals of domestic and foreign policy of Ukraine, European integration remains a top foreign political priority of Ukraine. In the Annual Address to The Verkhovna Rada, The President of Ukraine confirmed that Ukrainian orientation towards European integration is unalterable."
According to the Government official, the Agreement on Association is being drafted. An extensive free trade zone should become an integral part of this agreement.
The Minister stressed that Ukraine was concerned lest the terms of trade with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan should deteriorate due to the formation of the Customs Union.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs informed that preparations for concluding the Agreement on Association with the European Union are drawing to a close. Ukraine is a member of the Energy Community, and is engaged in the talks on a common aviation space. This package of agreements could be linked with the free trade zone with the Customs Union, or could be used as a separate tool.
K. Hryshchenko answered the questions concerning the talks with the Russian Federation on the residence of the Black See Fleet in Ukraine, assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the non-governmental organizations in Russia, failure of Russia to observe the free trade agreement of 2003, capacities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to build the premises of Ukrainian embassies abroad, etc.
V.Lytvyn read out the deputy inquires.
BYuT-Batkivshchyna and Our Ukraine-People´s Self-Defence Factions demanded that a recess be announced.
Arsenii Yatseniuk, representative of Our Ukraine-People´s Self-Defence Faction, reminded of the adopted Law "On Commemoration of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" (re Official Use of Copies of Victory Banner).
A. Yatseniuk addressed the President of Ukraine with a request to veto this Law.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law "On Amendments to certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine regarding Insider Information."
The People´s Deputies adopted the bill on Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure of Ukraine (re Change of the Admission of Guilt as a Proof of Guilt in Criminal Proceedings) as a basis by 242 votes.
The Chairman adjourned the plenary meeting.
On April 26-29, the People´s Deputies work with the voters.
On May 4-6, the parliament members work in the committees, panels and factions.
The next plenary meeting of the eighth session will be held on Wednesday, May 11.