Hennadii Zubko and Marcin Swiecicki discuss agenda of Ukrainian-Polish group on the local self-government reform

Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Hennadii Zubko approved the composition of the Polish-Ukrainian advisory group on the local self-government reform in Ukraine. The establishment of this group is envisaged by the Memorandum of cooperation to support local self-government reform in Ukraine, signed on 17 December in Warsaw.

Today during a meeting the Vice Prime Minister and leader of the Polish expert group, member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Marcin Święcicki discussed the work plan for the nearest period.

Hennadii Zubko informed that through January-February the group is to work out proposals to amend the Constitution of Ukraine (regarding decentralization and local self-government) taking into account the conclusions of the Venice Commission.

Throughout February-March, according to the Vice Prime Minister, the Ukrainian-Polish advisory group on the local self-government reform in Ukraine planned to assess the level of implementation of decisions on fiscal decentralization. They also plan to prepare proposals to amend the Budget and Tax Codes of Ukraine regarding finance decentralization, strengthening of the financial basis of local self-government with regard to the local budget implementation.

The group will also assess the state of introduction in Ukraine of the estate tax, and should prepare mechanisms to ensure public and government control over public finances.

In addition, the Vice Prime Minister explained, the group will draft bills of Ukraine "On the local self-government in Ukraine" (a new version), "On the local executive authorities", "On service in local self-government bodies" (new version) and other laws, necessary to upgrade the local self-government area.