Volodymyr Rybak: Ukraine takes consistent steps on the way to implementation of democratic reforms
11 January 2013, 16:11
Ukraine takes consistent steps on the way to implementation of democratic reforms.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Rybak stressed this during his meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the USA to Ukraine John Tefft on Friday.
“I hope that some disagreement in vision of separate aspects of domestic policy of Ukraine, in particular after the parliamentary elections in Ukraine, will not prevent us from supporting effective cooperation in all spectrum of issues that fill our partnership with strategisc meaning,” said Volodymyr Rybak.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada stressed that the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych “from the moment of his inauguration pays great attention to the problems of democratic development and rule of law in Ukraine.”
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada stressed that constitutional reform is determinant for democratic development of the Ukrainian state. In this context, he informed about the work of the Constitutional Assembly, the main task of which is to prepare proposals to the Head of the State for improvement of political system and amendment of the Fundamental Law. “The constitutional process takes place in legal terrain determined by the Constitution and in close cooperation with Venice Commission,” said Volodymyr Rybak. “Three plenary meetings of the Assembly have already been held and we have the respective results of its work.”
For the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada the key element if forming an effective mechanism of protection of constitutional rights of Ukrainian citizens is reformation of the Ukrainian judiciary following the European values and standards. In this context he informed about adoption of the law on judiciary and the status of judges and implementation of the law on free legal assistance.
According to Volodymyr Rybak, a reform of criminal justice aimed at improvement of work of law enforcement bodies is being conducted in close cooperation with the Council of Europe. In particular, on November 20, 2012 the new Code of Criminal Procedure came into force. Before it was signed by the President of Ukraine, it underwent additional expertise of the General Directorate in Human Rights and Legal Matters of the Council of Europe. The main area of reformation of criminal justice is creation of equal possibilities for every party to the criminal process.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada informed also that the Verkhovna Rada adopted today by 348 votes the decision to elaborate a single consolidated draft resolution regarding European aspirations of Ukraine. Volodymyr Rybak stressed that for all parliamentary factions the question of European integration and introduction of European living standards in Ukraine are the priority issues. In his turn, Mr. Ambassador said that the results of voting are a “strong signal” for the international community.
John Tefft appreciated the level of bilateral cooperation, in particular, its parliamentary component. The USA, said Mr. Ambassador, expect further development of cooperation with Ukraine within the Charter on Strategic Partnership.
During the meeting, the Parties discussed the last parliamentary elections in Ukraine.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada expressed the opinion that having analyzed the election campaign and the remarks of international observers, it would be necessary to reform the national election system with consideration of experience of European countries and the USA. Volodymyr Rybak believes that it is necessary to adopt the Election Code that would clearly determine the rules of elections for all branches of power.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada stressed also the importance of increasing the level of political culture. “The authorities and the opposition have not learned to hear each other yet,” said Volodymyr Rybak and added that he would do his best to reach consensus in the Parliament.