24 January 2014, 12:36
Thereat, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada especially emphasized that the issue of possible announcement of the state of emergency in the country will not be considered.
“There will be considered the only issue during the extraordinary session – the current situation. The situation is quite complicated and we will consider the ways to solve the political crisis in Ukraine through peaceful means,” said Volodymyr Rybak, noting that no documents on announcing the state of emergency in Ukraine “were neither considered, nor are being prepared. This issue will not be scrutinized during the extraordinary session.”
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada reminded that he met with the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych yesterday. “We have come to an agreement that the situation in the country compels the politicians to mobilize all the forces in order to handle the political crisis,” he stressed. “Politicians should do their best to settle the situation in the country through political means. The authority should hear the opposition and the opposition should hear the authority and resolve all of the problems peaceably,” claimed Volodymyr Rybak. “That is why I have signed the Order to convene an extraordinary session of the Verkhovna Rada on January 28,” he added.
According to Volodymyr Rybak, it is planned that that day the deputies – representatives of all political forces and non-affiliated people’s deputies – will exchange ideas in regard to settling the pressing issues. He said it is also necessary to consider deputies’ proposals on the top priority issues that should be considered during the planned session that will begin on February 4.
The Chairman of the Parliament has analyzed several issues brought up by the opposition representatives. Inter alia, he has named the issue concerning responsibility and resignation of the Government. Thereat, Volodymyr Rybak noted that “we should take the decision during the Conciliatory Council and consider this issue in line with the law.” He reminded that it will be possible to do this starting from February 4.
Commenting on the requirements of the opposition that relate to ceasing repression against participants of mass protests, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada reminded that the Law “On eliminating negative consequences, preventing prosecution and punishing people in connection with events taking place during peaceful assemblies” has been amended, which allows pardon activists imprisoned at present.
In regard to requirements of the opposition to hold early elections of the President, the Parliament and bodies of local self-government, Volodymyr Rybak stressed that then it would be necessary to consider the issue of making the respective amendments to the electoral legislation.
Volodymyr Rybak noted also that the laws adopted on January 16 have come into force. He said that in case the deputies have any observations to their content, they should prepare the respective amendments to any of these laws and the Parliament will consider them. “As of today, there is no other legal way,” he claimed.
Volodymyr Rybak believes that on January 28 it would be possible to determine other issues requiring consideration.
“Lots of issues today raised by both the opposition and on Maidan should not be considered on Maidan. They should be scrutinized within the Verkhovna Rada,” said the Chairman of the Parliament. “The Parliament, as the highest legislative body, should work and consider the laws in line with the Rules of Procedure,” he added.
Volodymyr Rybak addressed the deputies calling on them to hold the extraordinary session on January 28 in an organized manner. “We should convene in the Verkhovna Rada, listen to each other and take the decision so that the Parliament could work and pass the laws that should be adopted by the highest legislative body of our state,” he summed.