The First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko met with Georg Milbradt, Special Envoy of the Federal Government of Germany for Decentralisation, Good Governance and Civil Service in Ukraine.
“I thanked Mr Milbradt for his personal contribution to the development of the decentralization reform in Ukraine, in particular, we discussed its current state of affairs. It is important for us to increase opportunities for communities, as well as resources for these opportunities. Therefore, we are always working on the reform,” said the First Deputy Speaker, noting the different opportunities and resources of Ukrainian communities (in particular, in the energy sector), depending on their location from the front line.
The parties discussed a number of issues related to the further implementation of the decentralization reform in Ukraine. Georg Milbradt assured of his readiness to continue supporting Ukraine on this path.
In addition, Oleksandr Korniienko spoke about the Ukraine Facility Implementation Plan, which envisages structural reforms in the public sector, a number of economic reforms aimed at developing the business climate and entrepreneurship, as well as steps to develop priority sectors that can ensure rapid economic growth. The implementation of the Plan will contribute to Ukraine's European integration and further sustainable economic development.
The First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also highlighted the results of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 held in Berlin. “It is important that the Conference has brought concrete, tangible results and launched several international alliances that will contribute to the recovery of our country in the future,” he said.
Oleksandr Korniienko thanked Georg Milbradt for his visit and Germany's assistance in these difficult times for Ukraine.
Vitaliy Bezghin, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Administrative and Territorial Structure of the Committee on State Building, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning, joined the meeting with the delegation.
For reference:
Georg Milbradt is known for his significant contribution to decentralization and public administration reforms. He is still active in political and administrative issues at the international level. Georg Milbradt is mandated to provide expert assistance to Ukraine in the framework of local government reforms, strengthening of democratic institutions and improvement of administration.
Since the beginning of russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, municipal partnerships between Ukraine and Germany have proved to be highly effective and have taken on a new dimension. Thanks to the direct interaction of mayors and communities, it was possible to establish prompt deliveries of the necessary assistance from Germany to the affected cities and their populations. As of September 2024, there were 224 city-level partnerships between Ukraine and Germany and 7 regional partnerships.