20 April 2011, 10:25
On Wednesday, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met EBRD President Thomas Mirow.
V.Lytvyn expressed his gratitude for the Bank´s assistance in the organization and holding of the International Donor Conference to complete Chornobyl recovery projects in Kyiv on April 19, 2011, and active participation in the organization of the International Conference "25th Anniversary of Chornobyl Disaster. Security of the Future", which will take part in Kyiv.
He stated that Ukraine highly appreciated the activity of the EBRD as an administrator of Ukryttia Chornobyl Foundation founded in December 1997 to support reconstruction of the protective envelope.
The Head of the Parliament also declared that Ukraine was willing to foster cooperation with the EBRD to supply the necessary economic resources. Ukraine was said to support the medium-term EBRD strategy in Ukraine. He also confirmed that The Verkhovna Rada assisted bilateral cooperation.
Thomas Mirow declared that the Bank was willing to foster fruitful relations with The Verkhovna Rada. "We enjoy working in the countries, whose parliaments play key roles," he stated. EBRD President stressed that overcoming of consequences of Chornobyl disaster is a priority direction of the Bank´s activity in Ukraine. "We were really satisfied to raise the bigger part of the necessary sum during the International Conference," he stated. "Plenty of work lies ahead, but a significant step forward has been made." "We expect that by the year 2015, Ukrainians will appreciate that Chornobyl nuclear power plant is securely protected," added T.Mirow.
The Parties discussed ratification of the projects "Improvement of the Road Service Conditions on the Way to Kyiv" (EBRD loan of EUR 450 million) and on construction of a high-tension transmission line to link Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with Kakhovka electric power plant. Both agreements were signed last year.
V.Lytvyn informed that these documents are being scrutinized in the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The agreements being brought before Parliament, they will be reviewed by the subject committee. "The Verkhovna Rada will not procrastinate," he assured.
T.Mirow also dwelled upon the expectable amendments to the Budget Code of Ukraine to support implementation of the EBRD projects in the municipal sector. He stated that the bank had developed a great many new projects in the municipal sector for Ukraine, while particular provisions of the Budget Code prohibit the local self-government bodies to take out a loan against their security. The EBRD President pointed out that these projects do not need sovereign guarantees.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine informed that after the meeting with EBRD Vice President Jan Fisher in February, he commissioned the subject parliamentary committee to draw up respective recommendations. However, V.Lytvyn stated that the Parliament should consider the Government´s intention to assess implementation of the Budget Code, followed by its amending and specification.
The Parties declared that common efforts will help find the optimal solution.