Andrii Deshchytsia met with the Venice Commission delegation

On 15 April Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Deshchytsia met with the delegation of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) composed of the Secretary of the Venice Commission Mr Thomas Markert, members of the Commission Ms Regina Kiener (Switzerland), Ms Hanna Suchocka (Poland), Mr George Papuashvili (Georgia) and an expert of the Directorate General on Democracy of the Council of Europe Mr Jean-Claude Marcou.

The two sides discussed relevant issues on the engagement of the Venice Commission into the implementation of reforms in Ukraine, particularly into the constitutional process.

Andrii Deshchytsia stressed on the importance of the establishment of cooperation between the Venice Commission and the Temporary Special Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on amendments to the Constitution.

Members of the Venice Commission delegation underlined the importance to ensure proper separation of powers while amending the Constitution, and to strengthen the independence of judiciary. There was also made an emphasis on the importance to carry out the reform of local and regional authorities, particularly on the necessity to ensure decentralization.

Both sides agreed that constitutional reform is seen as a key issue to overcome the current political crisis in Ukraine and stressed on the importance of further close cooperation between Ukraine and the Venice Commission.