Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine A.Parubiy signed the Law of Ukraine "On Diplomatic Service"
Opening the Conciliation Board on Monday, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine A.Parubiy signed the Law "On Diplomatic Service" on April 16. He named the signature of the law by the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Diplomatic Service to be emblematic.
"On December 22, 1917, there was signed a bill launching the General Secretariat of International Affairs to be the first full-fledged state structure engaged in generating foreign policy of Ukraine,” said A.Parubiy and stressed that all Ukrainian diplomats were waiting for the adoption of this document.
Background information
The latest innovations to the law:
1. The procedure for a competition admission to the Foreign Service is brought in line with the requirements of the civil service law.
2. Competitiveness for diplomats at every stage of career advancement is triggered.
3. Professional standards and requirements for diplomats in comparison with other civil servants have been increased.
4. Irregular working hours for diplomats are kept on standby from now on.
5. Peremptory principle of rotation is set.
6. Likely dismissal for one-time gross violation of line of duty to have developed into infliction of harm to Ukraine’s image abroad or interrelations with a state or an international body.
7. The peculiarities of seconding the diplomatic staff to work in secretariats of international organizations are settled.
8. Compulsory vocational training and confirmation of the qualification level (level of skill) of an employee at every stage of service.
9. Unified is the number of diplomatic ranks and terms of their stay with corresponding periods of stay for civil servants.
10.Established is a uniform term for a long-term overseas assignment (secondment, mission) of the diplomatic staff.
11.Payment
of medical expenses during working
abroad is regulated through.
12. Saving of state funds is provided through now allowed contractual hiring local serving staff abroad.
Adoption of the law will allow it to reform Ukraine’s Foreign Service and will ensure the transition from the post-Soviet system to a diplomatic service under European standards.