The Government has approved the Action Program of the Cabinet of Ministers
of Ukraine as well as the fundamental objectives and principles of public
policy (Action Plan of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in 2016): "This
plan should be a road-map for the Government, Parliament and President in
carrying out reforms in the country," emphasized Prime Minister of Ukraine
Arseniy Yatsenyuk at an open meeting of the Government streamed live on
Thursday, 11 February.
The basis of this plan, the Prime Minister stressed, involves 379 very
specific, substantive decisions that must be taken by the Government,
Parliament and President: "A law, act, decree, purpose and impact, all
these make up the basis of our Action Plan."
Meanwhile, Arseniy Yatsenyuk has stressed that implementation of this plan
"is possible only when we as Ukrainian Government, Parliament and the
President clearly proclaim the principles on which we are able to continue
carrying out reforms in the country."
At the extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on
February 4, he recalled, the Government declared the principles which are integral
part of the Government’s Action Programme for the next year:
"These are the basic principles which would enable the Government to
continue its work as well as to continue carrying out difficult, unpopular, but
yet vitally important reforms."
The main point is zero tolerance for delay in the implementation of current
reforms.
The Prime Minister pointed out the need for "real quick steps towards
reforms," "First, a transparent, fair, large-scale privatization of
state property as well as adoption of appropriate legislation. The Odessa Port Plant, the ‘Centerenergo’, other
energy companies and objects that are now
prohibited for privatization, but have no strategic importance for the security
of the state, should be put up for fair and transparent auctions with a view to
attract investors, create jobs and increase the economic potential of the
state".
It is also necessary to continue deregulation of the Ukrainian economy,
reducing administrative pressure on the Ukrainian economy, the adoption of a
large deregulatory package for improving Ukraine’s position in the Doing
business ranking.
He called reform of the State Fiscal Service among the key changes to be
undertaken.
This year should see the implementation of judicial reform – its adoption
in the second reading of the amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine on
judicial reform "simultaneously with the new law on the the judicial
system and the status of judges, which includes not just the reappointment of
current judges but their real recertification, dismissal of corrupt judges and
fair and transparent recruitment."
"We are actually moving to a contract army and the Ukrainian Armed
Forces must fully meet the standards and criteria of NATO," emphasized
Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
He underlined that this year will be held "the full implementation of
the FTA Agreement with the EU, the adoption of appropriate legislation for a
visa-free regime as well as the introduction of a visa-free regime for citizens
of Ukraine."
The document also provides the adoption of laws on the introduction of
health insurance.
The second block, he emphasized, is equitable distribution of power. “We just need to execute the Constitution and relevant
laws. Everyone assumes full
responsibility for the area of their competence.”
“The Ukrainian Government is answerable to the Parliament. We respect the
Ukrainian Parliament, but we are looking forward to the mutual respect from the
Parliament, respect for those steps we are making, as well as the support for
the current coalition Government,” he added.
“The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is accountable to the President.
That’s the reason why we must have clear relationship with the President in
order to enable the Government to fulfill its Program of Reform, approved by
the President and supported by the Parliament,” highlighted the Prime Minister.
Third block is “zero tolerance for political interference and
corruption”:”Under the Constitution Members of the Parliament fulfill their
constitutional obligations, submit bills, vote the laws, invite the
Government and the Ministers to report, according to the Constitution.
But they
never appoint leaders of state-owned companies, never interfere in the activity
of Ministers, as well as the Ministers should not interfere in the activities
of the MPs of Ukraine and leaders of political parties, should not settle their
interests through political blackmail or directly hindering the activities of
executive authorities".
"The same applies to business groups, that including through certain
members of the Ukrainian Parliament are trying to defend their personal petty
business interests. It has come to end. It will never be that way, no matter
what", accentuated Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
No business interests should get mixed in the modern Ukrainian politics, he
urged: "Ministers can meet with representatives of enterprises and
businesses. It's our job to develop the economy, entrepreneurship, to create
work places. But each particular meeting conducted by political figures or
representatives of business entities is compulsory to be recorded”.
In that case, if officials or leaders of state-owned enterprises are
accused of corruption, the Government of Ukraine takes an urgent decision to
conduct an official investigation: "If necessary, such official is
suspended for the period of relevant official investigation. On the results of
the official investigation, which will be promulgated, the decision shall be
taken regarding the responsibility of this or that functionary".
Another guiding principle, according to the Prime Minister, is zero
tolerance “for unlawful and politically motivated interference by law
enforcement and special bodies into economic activities of enterprises, the
work of ministries and Central Executive authorities”: “If the crime has been
committed an official investigation is launched under the Criminal Procedure
Law. Each will testify and be answerable under law. But if law enforcement and
the special agencies are used for the lobbying purposes, we appeal to all law
enforcement agencies to initiate an investigation in respect of each
functionary of such enforcement agency, to suspend the involved officials from
duty and conduct as internal investigation".
All the public companies, by the decisions of the nominating committee,
must get new independent directors: "Neither the Prime Minister nor the
Minister should chair a public company. Not to mention the factions and certain
MPs. This is violation of law. This is political corruption we won’t
tolerate".
"The same process should be held in the national banks. It's not
within competence of the Government to manage public enterprises or banks and
not within competence of the political class. Here directors are hired, how we
did that, for example, for Naftogaz of Ukraine, which for the first
time in history of Ukraine has demonstrated non-deficient work," added the
Head of Government.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk added that there would be held international audit
companies would conduct audit for 50 largest public companies: "This is
the principle of zero tolerance for corruption and the absence of political
pressure and political interference in the activities of state-owned
enterprises".
These are the guiding principles the Government will follow its activity,
he said: "We are aware that this Government is not the most popular
authority. This is not our objective. Our goal is to improve the country's
performance, not the ranking of those who are sitting at this table".
"As Government members we hope that the members of Parliament, members
of the parliamentary coalition will finally reject personal pretensions,
attempts of blackmail, continuous political debate that everything’s bad. We
are doing what is crucial for the country, what was signed by the coalition,
what they voted for and what job this Government was appointed to do", he
stressed.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk reminded that the Government had submitted to the
Parliament a report of its activity: “On Tuesday we are prepared to report on
the results of work in the previous work”.
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