"Rada for Europe" will help to improve legislative process in the Verkhovna Rada (17/10/2016)

On 17 October 2016 a high-level panel discussion on ‘Parliaments and Comprehensive Democratic Reform’ celebrated the official launch of the "Rada for Europe" project. The project will be financed by the EU and implemented by the UNDP Ukraine.

How to strengthen democracy in Ukraine and how to accelerate reforms?  How to improve quality of legislation and dialogue with the citizens while implementing the EU – Ukraine Association Agreement?  These and other questions were discussed by the European and Ukrainian legislators and policy makers in the context of national parliaments' support to reforms in transitional democracies.

"A strong and effective parliament is the foundation of a accountable and working democracy.   "Rada for Europe project" will bring in leading experts and best parliamentary know-how from across the EU to strengthen the Verkhovna Rada legislative work and its secretariat. This will also contribute to the successful implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement."” said Ambassador Hugues Mingarelli, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

“Reform of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is one of the most critical assignments, which we face today,” said   Andriy Parubiy, Speaker of the Vekhovna Rada of Ukraine. Moving fast on the reform agenda of the country’s first democratic institution is crucial, as the Verkhovna Rada serves as not only the legislative body, but also plays a key role in budgetary matters and oversees the government.

"By turning challenges into drivers for reforms, we believe that ‘Rada for Europe’ will bring Ukraine closer to Europe for more balanced and responsible decision making, open governance and public participation,” said Cihan Sultanoğlu, assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Launched in June 2016, “Rada for Europe”, EU-UNDP project will support the Ukrainian Parliament’s evolution towards a modern, democratic institution over 2016-2018, notably through reforming its procedures and operational processes, modernising its administration and secretariat, and improving the mechanisms for dialoguewith citizens and civil society. "Rada for Europe" will assist the Verkhovna Rada to become a more transparent and open institution, delivering higher quality and more responsive legislation both in substance and in form, and providing effective services to all Ukrainian citizens. 

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