Agro Perspectiva

Ukrainian President held a meeting of National Council of Reforms

25.12.2014 12:19 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — The yesterday meeting of the Ukrainian National Council of Reforms on the top-priority steps in the implementation of reforms and the approval of the Strategy-2020 was held under the chairmanship of the Ukrainian President and with participation of the Prime Minister, the Chairman of Verkhovna Rada, the NSDC Secretary and the members of the Government, President Petro Poroshenko Press Office reports. As to the report, President Petro Poroshenko said the implementation of this document jointly with the coalition agreement, the program of actions of the Government, the National plan on the Association Agreement implementation is «Ukraine’s roadmap for the next year». Reportedly, at the beginning of the meeting, Poroshenko expressed belief that it was high time to implement reforms. President, Government, Parliament and society are all willing to do that. «Today is a unique period when reforms unite all strata of expert community. I am confident that we must use this positive energy,» the Head of State emphasized. Also, he expressed confidence that joint teamwork, clear distribution of responsibility and authorities, efficient coordination mechanism would ensure the efficiency of reforms. In meanwhile, speaking of the functions of the National Council of Reforms, the President noted that it was an optimal platform for reaching consensus, adopting common harmonized decisions, considering problematic issues and developing coordinated steps. Within the meeting the National Council of Reforms considered the issues of deregulation, judicial, anti-corruption and civil service reforms. It also listened to the first report on the implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU. As to the report, Poroshenko emphasized the importance of immediate implementation of judicial reform that requires not only urgent amendments to the legislation, but also Constitutional changes. The President initiated the establishment of the Constitutional commission to promote cooperation between lawyers and civic organizations in the context of respective amendments. Poroshenko also underlined the importance of broad civil discussion of changes to the Constitution. «Freedom and market-driven economy are impossible without lawfulness, fair administration, stable banks, reliably protected private property,» the President said. Reportedly, while speaking of the implementation of anti-corruption laws, the President noted: «We must struggle not only corruption, but also its reasons. Thus, our actions must also concern deregulation». The President was hoped that the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy would take the lead in the issues of deregulation. He expected that decisive actions would be taken soon to downsize state apparatus and carry out deregulation.