The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal held a video conference with the Special Envoy of the Government of Germany for the Decentralization Reform in Ukraine Georg Milbradt.

The talks also gathered together Minister of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine Oleksii Chernyshov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ukraine Anka Feldhuzen and others.

The parties discussed a number of topical issues of cooperation between Ukraine and Germany, including taking into account the German experience in carrying out reforms in Ukraine, in particular a decentralization reform.

Denys Shmyhal assured Mr. Georg Milbradt that the Government of Ukraine considers decentralization as one of the most critical reforms, in the successful implementation of which the German experience is of particular importance. "This is a comprehensive and multifaceted reform that brings about qualitative changes into all spheres of life of citizens and is widely supported within the Ukrainian society," said the Prime Minister of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Denys Shmyhal stressed that among the essential objectives of the reforming for 2020-2023 is to improve the administrative-territorial structure of Ukraine. On the agenda of the Ukrainian Government is to hold local elections on October 25 this year on a new territorial basis. "Newly created local governments at each level should have the same powers and opportunities to provide high-quality and affordable services to the population within their competence," said the Head of Government.

Apart from that, the PM told that new versions of the laws of Ukraine "On Local Governance in Ukraine" and "On Local State Administrations", as well as amendments to the Budget Code of Ukraine on the financial support of local government powers had been developed.

"Currently, the Ukrainian authorities are working to ensure coordination in the process of development of an optimal model for the separation of powers between local governments and the executive authorities," Denys Shmyhal added and assured Mr. Georg Milbradt of Ukraine's readiness for a constructive dialogue and discussion of all pressing issues on the agenda.

The Special Envoy of the Government of Germany for Decentralization, in turn, assured the Government of Ukraine of the extensive support by Germany for Ukraine's course towards pursuing systemic reforms.