10 April 2008, 18:29
PLENARY MEETINGS OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SIXTH CONVOCATION WERE HELD ON THURSDAY, 10 APRIL
At the morning meeting the People´s Deputies discussed the issues appertaining to Ukraine´s accession to the World Trade Organization.
The People´s Deputies listened to the report of the Cabinet of Ministers regarding Ukraine´s accession to the World Trade Organization.
V.Piatnytsky informed the People´s Deputies about current negotiations, the Laws adopted by the Parliament, the advantages of Ukraine´s accession to the WTO, and issues to be settled for obtainment of a full-fledged membership in the said international organization.
V.Piatnytsky also reported on the Bill on Ratification of the Protocol on Ukraine´s Accession to the WTO.
The Committee on European Integration recommended that The Verkhovna Rada ratified the Protocol on Ukraine´s Accession to the WTO, and upholds a set of Bills, adoption of which is required for Ukraine´s accession to the WTO.
The Verkhovna Rada ratified the Protocol on Ukraine´s Accession to the WTO by 411 votes.
Valeriy Alioshyn, Chairman of the State Commission for Regulation of Financial Services Markets, reported on the peculiarities of the Bill "On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On Insurance".
The Committee on Finance and Banking and the Committee on Taxation and Customs Policy upheld the Bill.
After the recess, the People´s Deputies scrutinized and adopted a number of Resolutions concerning election of judges.
The People´s Deputies scrutinized the Law "On Amendments to several Laws of Ukraine regarding Protection of Domestic Producers from Subsidized, Dumping and Growing Import" by a shortened procedure. The Bill was adopted as a basis and in its entirety.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the Bill "On Amendments to Article 16 of the Law of Ukraine "On Foreign Economic Activity" (re Coordination with the Requirements for Accession to the WTO) as a basis and in its entirety. The Bill improves several regulations of the Law in accordance with the requirements of the World Trade Organization.
The Bill "On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On Standards, Technical Specifications and Procedures of Aptness Assessment" coordinates Ukraine´s commitments concerning procedures of production aptness assessment with the requirements of Article 6.1 of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. Its adoption is also necessary for Ukraine´s accession to the WTO.
The Verkhovna Rada ratified the Memorandum on Mutual Understanding between Ukrainian Government and the Council of Europe regarding Establishment of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine and its Legal Status.
Then the morning meeting was closed.
At the beginning of the evening meeting, the People´s Deputies scrutinized the Law "On Amendments to several Legislative Acts of Ukraine regarding Adoption" with the motions of the President of Ukraine.
The Committee on Family Matters, Youth Policy, Sports and Tourism recommended that the Parliament overrode a veto of the President of Ukraine.
However, the motions of the President of Ukraine were not adopted, and the Law was adopted in its entirety by 387 votes.
The People´s Deputies scrutinized the Bill "On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On the State Decorations of Ukraine" (re Establishment of Liberty Order and a Medal "For a Rescued Life") at the Second Reading.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law in its entirety. The Law extends the system of State decorations of Ukraine.
The Bill on Amendments to Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Local Self-Government" was withdrawn from consideration and declined due to the results of discussion and voting.
The Bill "On Amendments to several Laws of Ukraine regarding Disclosure of Information regarding Radioactive Contamination Zones" was adopted in its entirety at the Second Reading.
Then the People´s Deputies scrutinized two Draft Resolutions, namely, on Amendments to the Standing Orders of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (re Activity of Parliamentary Opposition and holding of Government Question Hour), and on Amendments to the Standing Orders of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (re holding of Government Question Hour). Both Bills were declined due to voting.
At the end of the evening meeting the People´s Deputies scrutinized a Draft Resolution on Celebration of Memorable Dates and Anniversaries in Year 2008.
Then the plenary meeting was closed.