New opportunities offered by the decentralization reform create not only new opportunities for regional development, but also direct areas of responsibility for local leadership. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman during the meeting of the Council of Regional Development in Vinnytsia region.

The Head of Government stressed that growing local budgets should be directed to various fields, including, for example, the sphere of renovation of communal services and energy modernization. The PM reminded that yesterday, during a conference call with the mayors, he cited figures on the cost of heating  in different cities. Despite the same gas price for all cities, the difference in the price of 1 Gcal of heating is UAH 400-500.

"The Government has nothing to do at all concerning this issue (price difference).  It happens because some local leaders are just trying to disclaim all responsibility. The issues at stake are energy modernization, replacement of boilers, networks. These are areas of their responsibility", the Head of Government pointed out.

According to the Prime Minister, understanding of responsibility must be encompassed in the regional development strategy and he added that when there are common strategies (development), then there is understanding of goals and responsibilities.