Opening statement of First Vice Prime of Ukraine Serhiy Arbuzov during Government's meeting on January 29, 2014
I welcome Members
of the Cabinet of Ministers, mass media, all present!
Now, a dialogue and
search for the solution continues in the society, between government and
opposition in this difficult situation.
Therefore, we must
concentrate and do our best for the stable functioning of the state.
Moreover, the
President of Ukraine and the MPs have done much to find the compromise.
At the same time, a
full compromise is possible only if there is a mutual respect for the positions
of all participants of the negotiations.
We must give up
aggression and ultimatums.
The only way to
achieve understanding is a dialogue.
The Government for its
part is ready to provide the right conditions to achieve national stability.
Now, all Ministers serve
in acting mode.
Now, while searching
compromise in society, the most important for us:
- to
neutralize negative impact of the situation on economic processes;
- to
promptly make welfare payments, and other obligations of the state, especially
in those regions where the buildings of local government were seized;
- to
ensure the provision of necessary medical assistance to victims from both sides
of the political confrontation.
On this occasion, I’d
like on behalf of the Government to express my condolences to the families of
those killed in these confrontations.
It is a pity that many
people were injured, including journalists.
I hope that the
investigation of all cases will be quickly completed.
I hope that there would
be no injured in the confrontation.
Economy (acute state)
In terms of the
difficult situation, the President of Ukraine and the Ukrainian government
retained control over economy and budget system.
Citizens receive payments
from the budget in timely manner. Payments are made in accordance with scheduled:
As it is required by
the day schedule, as of January 27 the Pension Fund paid out pensions of almost
14 million persons.
During the month, more
than UAH 21 billion was sent on this needs. This fully satisfied the January’s needs
in the costs.
In addition, the
Treasury is fully funded expenditures to pay state welfare assistance of
January.
These are assistance of
low-income families, families with children, payments to disabled children and
disabled from childhood.
Expenditures from the
budget for this purpose exceeded UAH 3.4 billion.
People expect on timely
payment of pensions, stipends and assistances. Vulnerable people should not
become hostages of the political situation.
Financial and banking
system has demonstrated sufficient safety margin.
Banks are provided by liquidity.
The National Bank reliably
controls the situation at the money and credit market.
The National Bank has
expanded its presence in the foreign exchange market, and it will provide it in
the future.
The arrangements of presidents
of
We have already
received the first tranche in the amount of $ 3 billion and we expect to receive
in a short time to get other $ 2 billion.
Cooperation with
More than two dozen multi- billion agreements,
memoranda and contracts in the financial, industrial and energy sectors have recently
been signed, with the support of the President of Ukraine.
The Government carried
out international obligations, including gas transit.
Today we will approve the
important issue of the modernization of the next section of transit gas
pipeline Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod.
Thus, despite the
tension in the society, the Government has concerned about the welfare of citizens
and the preservation of the image of
Questions of present
interest
Now, while there are talks
between the government and the opposition, we will focus on the ensuring timely
payments of wages.
For 20 days in January
2014 the debt decreased by UAH 23 million or nearly 3%.
However, in some
regions the debt increased, in particular in Kyiv – UAH 13.5 mln., Volyn region – UAH 1.1
million, Ivano-Frankivsk region and Vinnytsia region – UAH 0.3 and 0.5 million.
Local authorities
should analyze the causes of arrears and ensure its radical reduction.
Report to
the Cabinet on taken actions.
It is important in
winter so that support system of the country worked clearly. Taken into account
the weather forecast, the priority issues are:
- ensuring continuity
of activities of housing and communal services;
- timely
clearing roads;
- repair
of power line damaged due to snowfall and strong winds.
I instruct relevant ministers
to organize work on these tasks.
A prerequisite for
this is to unlock the administrative buildings so that the authorities in the
regions can properly perform its functions.
Other questions of the
economy
Now concerning
the strategic issues of economic development.
The whole world hopes
for global economic recovery.
And this certainly will
have a positive impact on the economy of
As long as the demand
on world markets is not recovered, the Government should use incentives.
But we have not so
much funds for investments.
So, their effective
use and targeting them to those areas that provide the most positive impact on
the economy is critically important.
Therefore, the
Government is focused on consistency in implementation of the reforms set by
the President of Ukraine in the Program of economic reforms.
And these are for
today:
- further
deregulation;
- reduction
of corruption;
- increase
of energy efficiency and more.
On the other hand, due
to political instability, investors typically put their money in a
"waiting list".
We can not make our
country was in this category.
I authorize the
Ministers of Economic Development and Trade, Finance and Incomes and Fees to
intensify dialogue and appropriate measures with investors.
Concerning the agenda
Colleagues, the fact
that the composition of the Cabinet is acting says that we have to work even
harder.
There are a lot of
important issues on today’s government consideration. Among them are:
- amendments
to Article 18 of the Final Provisions of the Law of Ukraine on the State
Support to disabled persons from childhood and disabled children;
- amendments
to the Law of Ukraine on Foreign Economic Activities;
Equally important
issue is to consider draft regulations of the Government:
- on Ratification
of the Agreement
between the Cabinet of Ministers
of Ukraine and the Government
of the
- on accession
to the Agreement
on cooperation in plant quarantine;
Today we will consider a draft decree of
the President of Ukraine, in
particular:
- on
the scholarships assignment of outstanding athletes and coaches of
Draft resolutions
aimed at deregulation are also noteworthy, including reducing the number of
inspections of business entities.