02 September 2008, 12:00
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
The society leads discussions concerning credit to the Parliament. However, I would like to regard the said issue not from the point of credit to the very institution, but from the point of credit to the political forces, politicians, factions represented at The Verkhovna Rada. It is necessary to raise the confidence to the Ukrainian politicians, as the national parliament reflects the present-day social processes in Ukraine. Every People´s Deputy makes decisions independently, and is responsible before the Ukrainian nation for such decisions.
I would like to dwell upon the function of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. One can not reduce the function of the Parliament to the automatic adoption of the Laws. The Parliament is of vital importance for protection of democracy, preservation of democratic values in the gradual development of Ukrainian State and Ukrainian society.
At present, democracy is under the threat. It is necessary to declare openly that only the Parliament can eliminate it.
Political environment of Ukraine is extremely aggressive, without any rules of play. We witness that Ukrainian political environment is in imminent self-destruction, as treachery and conspiracy take place. However, history is ruthless and fair, and all triumvirates at the times of Roman Empire had the same end. Therefore, modern triumvirates will come to a similar end.
Dear colleagues, despite the confrontation between the political forces, the State should unite, and Ukrainian politicians should consolidate around the national priorities.
In this Hall, there can be different attitudes towards situations in Georgia, Abkhazia or South Ossetia. But there can not be different attitudes towards Ukraine in this Hall. The agenda should include the Laws on domestic and foreign policies, which are being discussed for a long time. These Laws should present the way to consolidate the whole Parliament. They should define the orientation of Ukraine, the results to be attained, and the system reforms to be held in our Ukrainian State.
The agenda should also include the system reforms, the State Budget for Year 2009, and the "Program of Social and Economic Development of Ukraine".
It is necessary to define clear-cut priorities of budgetary policy for Year 2009. They embrace education, healthcare, infrastructure, and break-even policy of Ukrainian State. Therefore, we should urgently adopt the set of Laws to give impetus to the agro-industrial complex and to raise Ukraine to the highest level of development of agrarian market in the world.
Energy sector constitutes another issue. Gas is a commodity, not the instrument of foreign policy. Therefore, the agenda should include a long-term agreement with the Russian Federation with clear-cut terms of pricing. However, we will fail to settle the energy issue under any conditions, unless the set of Laws on energy efficiency is adopted.
The next issue pertains to the market economy. Market economy can not be built without the powerful economic police, i.e. Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine,and violent struggle with clannish matters and anti-competitive plots.
Euro-2012 is of utmost importance. I hope that the Parliament will scrutinize a set of Laws appertaining to the said issue, as this is not a sports event, but a test for Ukraine on its being a European country.
I would like to comment briefly on the work of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Firstly, I insist that the Law "On Standing Orders of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine" be adopted. The Law should provide a clear-cut legal mechanism for adoption of resolutions.
Secondly, I raise the issue of personal voting of the People´s Deputies of Ukraine. I address the leaders of the Factions with a demand that all the People´s Deputies should be present at the parliamentary Hall. Moreover, the system of personal voting will be provided.
Dear colleagues, the agenda still includes the matters to be mentioned. We face serious hardships. Nevertheless, I am convinced that they are temporary and will be easily overcome. I congratulate you on the beginning of our work. I wish you efficient, but very intensive work. Thank you for your attention.
Arseniy Yatseniuk