Verkhovna Rada to gather on July 31 for an extraordinary session

Today, it was signed an order to convene an extraordinary plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on July 31, at which should be approved the necessary laws for the country, Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk told the ICTV television program on Monday, July 28. 

The Prime Minister has reminded that these are the draft amendments to the State Budget of Ukraine, which provides for the allocation of UAH 9.1 billion for the Armed Forces and the National Guard, UAH 3 billion for the restoration of the regions affected by the actions of terrorists, UAH 1 billion for the social and economic development of other regions.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk has underlined that the Government does not reduce social standards, but is moving on the path of raising taxes, especially on super-profitable business, "It can’t be so that certain energy sectors bring 1500% profit. We will raise royalties on oil and gas. "

At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers proposes to encourage investment in the energy market: "Anyone who has drilled a new well does not pay rent to the State budget within the year, and the funds that he/she saves are spent on a new well in order to increase the volume and reduce Ukrainian dependence on Russian gas."

Also, according to Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the Government proposes to reduce the costs of all controlling bodies and inspections and by 70%.That would save UAH 600 million.

The Prime Minister also said that the Cabinet of Ministers proposes to introduce special accounts from the value added tax in order to "once and for all solve the problem as to VAT, and VAT refund."

Moreover, according to him, on July 31, the Parliament should vote for the bill on reforming the system of management of Ukraine's single gas transportation system, "which is a matter not just of national security, but the survival of the country".

The Prime Minister said that after the failure of these bills in the Parliament last Thursday "we’ve not got USD 1.5 billion that have already had to be allocated to Ukraine. This means USD 500 million from the World Bank and USD 1 billion from the International Monetary Fund: "The lack of voting for these bills will cause a default of the country."

"I urge MPs to come to the Parliament on Thursday, to vote for these laws and take a responsibility to the Ukrainian people, together with the President and the Government. This is their sacred duty, and they must perform it. That's for what they have been elected, "stressed Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

At the same time, the Prime Minister stated that in the case of failure of these bills by the Parliament, he would do everything "to fund the army, soldiers, to fill up tanks and to ensure that our soldiers have an opportunity to continue defending the country": "Even without a bill. There is no other option. I will put my signature under such a resolution."