Ukrainian President: Constitutional amendments on decentralization have clear security preconditions

In the course of the speech in the Ukrainian Parliament on the occasion of the Day of Constitution of Ukraine, President Petro Poroshenko emphasized that the draft constitutional amendments on decentralization approved on August 31, 2015 in the first reading was related to the political and diplomatic struggle for the restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine due to certain external and internal circumstances. However, there are clear security preconditions for such amendments, as stated by the President.

“We should establish full and lasting ceasefire. Russia must withdraw all its troops, weaponry and equipment from the territory of Ukraine. The OSCE SMM must obtain full access to the uncontrolled part of the Ukrainian territory and establish constant monitoring over the temporarily uncontrolled part of the Ukraine-Russia border,” Petro Poroshenko said.

At the same time, the President underscored the need for real disarmament of all illegal groups in the uncontrolled territory of Ukraine, establishment of security areas, compliance with the ceasefire regime, guarantees of security of future elections and deployment of the OSCE armed police mission. The President paid special attention to the necessity of significant progress in the issue of liberation of all Ukrainian hostages and political prisoners.

Petro Poroshenko emphasized that local elections must be held under the Ukrainian law and in compliance with the OSCE criteria and standards. The elections should define those who will use new opportunities of decentralization for the benefit of local communities. “And it concerns everyone, not only Donbas,” Petro Poroshenko said. Only after compliance with such conditions, the President will address the Parliament with a call for approval of these amendments in the second reading.

The President also informed that during his yesterday’s visit to the EU institutions, he had discussed that position with the EU leadership and confirmed that “it has been fully understood”.

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