28 February 2014, 16:00
PLENARY METING OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SEVENTH CONVOCATION WAS HELD ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014
270 people’s deputies registered for participation in the plenary meeting.
Having opened plenary session, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov suggested for consideration the renewed agenda that included the draft resolution on the Address of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the guarantor-states according to the Memorandum on Security Assurances in connection with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The Presiding informed that the following issues are suggested for consideration today: on early termination of powers of the people’s deputy; on canceling privileges of the people’s deputies; on passing a no-confidence motion against the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council of Ukraine; on amendments to the Law “On Elections of the President of Ukraine”; the resolution on refining activity of income and levy bodies and the bill on rehabilitation of persons following the decision of the European Court of Human Rights.
The people’s deputies upheld the suggested agenda.
Party of Regions faction leader O.Yefremov said that the faction will not vote on the issues included into the agenda by ear. According to him, the Presiding arbitrary changes the agenda without handing out any documents and the deputies do not know what do they vote for.
The people’s deputy O.Liashko drew attention to the necessity of taking immediate decisions on protection of territorial integrity of Ukraine, in view of developments in Crimea. According to him, there is an open intervention taking place in Crimea on the part of Russia. He initiated holding of immediate meeting of the National Security and Defense Council and upheld the Address of the Verkhovna Rada to the guarantor-states.
Representatives of deputy factions made their proposals on including some of the issues into the agenda and informed that several bills are ready for consideration.
The people’s deputies upheld the agenda of the plenary meeting by 238 votes.
Oleksandr Turchynov suggested begin plenary meeting with the most acute problem that pertains to escalation of tension in Crimea. He noted that despite addresses and statements, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are directly related to escalation of this conflict. Despite warnings of the Ukrainian Party, they move on the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, being armed.
Oleksandr Turchynov read out the text of Address of the Verkhovna Rada to the guarantor-states, under the Memorandum on Security Assurances in connection with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
According to the text, “in return for nuclear disarmament, Ukraine was guaranteed safety, under the Memorandum on Security Assurances in connection with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as the United States of America have reaffirmed their commitments to Ukraine to respect its independence, sovereignty and the existing borders.
The guarantor-states have also reaffirmed their commitments to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine, and that none of their weapons will ever be used against Ukraine.”
Oleksandr Turchynov noted that the guarantor-states of the Budapest Memorandum have also committed themselves to hold consultations in case the situation arises that brings up the question of their commitments.
“In this connection, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expresses concern over recent developments in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, including over the situation of possible external interference that would directly violate Memorandum commitments,” he informed.
In its Address the Verkhovna Rada “demands the Russian Federation to stop taking steps that feature encroachment on state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including supporting of separatism in Ukraine in any form. On its part, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stresses that all the civil rights of the citizens of Ukraine of Russian nationality, guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine and Ukraine’s international commitments, including language ones, are and will further be strictly and in full observed in Ukraine.”
The Verkhovna Rada “demands that all the guarantor-states, under the Budapest Memorandum, shall in practice confirm the commitments enshrined in the Memorandum, in accordance with the principles of the CSCE Final Act to respect the Independence and Sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine, reaffirm their obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine, and that none of their weapons will ever be used against Ukraine and calls on the Parties to sign the Memorandum and hold immediate consultations with Ukraine in order to alleviate tension and restore the atmosphere of mutual trust.”
The Verkhovna Rada also addresses the United Nations Security Council with a proposal to convene a meeting to consider the aforementioned problems in the context of the UN Security Council statement of July 20, 1993.
In the course of discussion, the people’s deputies voiced out several remarks and proposals with consideration of which, the Address of the Verkhovna Rada was adopted by 230 votes.
The Chairman granted the floor to the representatives of deputy factions that discussed the situation in Crimea.
Chairman of the Committee on National Security and Defence V.Lytvyn informed about the meeting of the Committee that was held in the morning.
V.Lytvyn suggested form a full-bodied deputy delegation that would arrive to Crimea to contact with the deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.
The necessity to prevent any conflicts and provocations was voiced out in other speeches.
Commenting on voting for the resolution “On the Address of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine..”, the people’s deputy N.Shufrych said that such decisions should have been first discussed with faction leaders. He expressed confidence that Ukraine won’t be left alone in such a situation.
The people’s deputy V.Pynzenyk noted that the Parliament can and should settle the situation in the country. He expressed conviction that the people’s deputies can adopt decisions by 300 votes.
The people’s deputy O.Kuzmuk supported his colleagues who have condemned meaningless speeches in the session hall and suggested that the Government should hold a visiting session in Crimea.
Oleksandr Turchynov informed that he was approached by the people’s deputies who did not manage to vote on the resolution “On the Address of the Verkhovna Rada”. He proposed to consider previous voting for the resolution as its adoption as a basis and now to vote on the resolution in entirety.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the draft resolution in entirety by 246 votes.
The Presiding informed that the people’s deputy Arsenii Yatseniuk wrote an application for early termination of powers in connection with his election as a Prime Minister of Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada has terminated the authority of the people’s deputy A.Yatseniuk by 290 votes.
The people’s deputies I.Shvaika, O.Sych, and A.Mokhnyk asked to accept their applications for early termination of powers in connection with their election as members of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The Verkhovna Rada has granted their applications.
The people’s deputies considered three bills on amendments to the Law “On the Status of the People’s Deputy of Ukraine” (re canceling and limiting privileges).
Author of the first bill, the people’s deputy V.Pynzenyk suggested
cancel several provisions that granted the people’s deputies with certain
privileges. The rapporteur stressed the most fundamental things that should be
adopted.
The draft stipulates introduce serious amendments to a free transport ride, cancelling the right of a people’s deputy to free use of all transport means. Instead, it is stipulated to set a limit of costs for ride in transport in case of fulfilling deputy’s obligations so that every deputy can fit into this limit.
V.Pynzenyk also suggested cancel the right of receiving a service housing or a compensation for improving housing and utility conditions for people’s deputies. For people’s deputies, who are territorially located 30 km away from borders of Kyiv, there is a possibility of providing a limit of costs for renting a hotel at their own expense. This is suggested to be provided according to deputies’ claims. A list of deputies who have submitted a claim and who require these costs should be mandatory published in the newspaper “Holos Ukrainy.”
The speaker claimed that this draft does not include the issue on pension coverage. He said that pension for all citizens of Ukraine, including deputies and other categories of citizens, should be provided according to a single law and single rules. Service record and income should be the basis for all pensions.
V.Pynzenyk suggested adopt a bill that will allow eliminate a privileged status of people’s deputies.
Authors of other bills, V.Yavorivskyi and M.Tomenko, informed about their content.
Representative of the Committee on Rules of Parliamentary Procedure A.Pyshnyi voiced the Committee’s suggestion: people’s deputies are obliged to review their current privileges and to comply them with European standards. He suggested give a protocol instruction to the sub-committee on support to work of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the Committee on Rules of Parliamentary Procedure to generalize suggested legislative proposals and prepare proposals on amendments to the Law “On the status of a people’s deputy re cancelling guarantees of people’s deputies’ activity.”
Representatives of deputies’ factions and groups participated in the discussion.
Representative of the “UDAR” faction P.Rozenko suggested adopt the bill of V.Pynzenyk as a basis and in entirety.
People’s deputy I.Yeremieiev informed that deputies of the group “Sovereign European Ukraine” claim that today the decision regarding cancellation of privileges should be made.
Other factions’ representatives also supported cancellation of privileges of people’s deputies.
Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada R.Koshulynskyi put to vote the draft law under Reg. No. 1075, author of which is V.Pynzenyk.
MPs adopted this bill as a basis with 246 votes and in entirety with 301 votes.
People’s deputies considered the bill on the report of the the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council of Ukraine.
People’s deputy Mykola Kniazhytskyi reported about the draft resolution. He reminded about the situation in television and radio space. “In fact, the National Council consisted of representatives of financial industrial groups which, via the single monopolist who had the government’s support – “Zeonbud,” did everything to monopolize TV and radio air, to increase the cost of using this provider, and not to issue licences to the opposition companies.”
Chairman of the Committee on Freedom of Speech and Information Mykola Tomenko informed that yesterday a meeting of the Committee was held where a decision to dismiss the National Council and to pass a no-confidence motion against it was adopted.
Representatives of deputies’ factions upheld proposals of the specialized committee regarding passing a no-confidence motion against the National Council.
MPs suggested start the procedure of “reloading” members of the National Council as soon as possible.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the resolution in entirety with 242 votes.
The Chairman announced that people’s deputies M.Dmytruk, V.Zhuravskyi and A.Shypka entered the deputies’ group “Sovereign European Ukraine.”
Serhii Mishchenko reported about the draft resolution on refining the activity of income and levy bodies. He suggested adopt the resolution according to which the Verkhovna Rada should recommend that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine liquidate the Ministry of Income and Levy, and establish two other bodies in the sphere of taxation and customs policy.
During the discussion, people’s deputies insisted that they had to adopt this resolution now.
It was also suggested to return the function of administrating a single social contribution to the Pension Fund, which had been transferred to the Ministry of Income and Levy.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the draft resolution with 232 votes in entirety, taking into account a decree of the specialized committee on elaboration of amendments to the Tax and Customs Codes, and other legislative acts.
Without discussion and with 268 votes, a draft law on rehabilitation of persons following the decision of the European Court of Human Rights was adopted.
People’s deputies included into the agenda and considered three bills on amendments to the Law “On elections of the President of Ukraine” (re technical and legal improvement of electoral process).
Secretary of the Committee on State Building and Local Self-Government Ruslan Kniazevych claimed that it is necessary to regulate several norms that have been present in the current law “On elections of the President of Ukraine” since 2009 when amendments were made.
R.Kniazevych informed about main provisions of the bill that are stipulated to improve the electoral process. He also informed that he registered one more bill on amendments to article 90 of the Law “On elections of the President of Ukraine” (Reg. No. 4328).
People’s deputies adopted the bill as a basis with 262 votes.
The bill on amendments to article 90 of the Law “On elections of the President of Ukraine” was included into agenda and adopted with 259 votes.
MPs suggested announce a break, hold a Conciliatory Council meeting on Monday, March 3, hold a plenary meeting on Tuesday, and give instruction to the leadership to gather them at any time.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Turchynov also suggested announce a break in a plenary meeting till Tuesday, March 4.
Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R.Koshulynskyi read deputies’ inquiries.
People’s deputies made their speeches, messages and announcements.
Chairman announced a break until 10 a.m. of Tuesday, March 4.