Kyiv, July 23, 2014. President of Ukraine has just signed a Decree №614/2014 “On ensuring the implementation of unified state policy of reforms in Ukraine”, which creates the National Council of Reforms (NCR), as reported by the website of the president. The Council holds the status of a special advisory body under the President of Ukraine on issues of strategic planning, coordination and implementation of Ukraine’s unified state policy of reforms based on international best practices.
Reportedly, along with the Council the Executive Committee of Reforms (ECR) and the Advisory Council of Reforms (ACR) will be created. The Executive Committee of Reforms will prepare proposals for strategic planning reforms and their balanced implementation, as well as monitor. Notably, Dmytro Shymkiv, the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, has been appointed the Director of the ECR.
The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko will serve as a chairman of the NCR. The Council itself will consist of: the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (upon consent), the Prime Minister of Ukraine and other ministers (in agreement with the Prime Minister), Head of the National Bank of Ukraine, heads of the committees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, four representatives of civil groups and representative of the Advisory Council of Reforms, reads president.gov.ua.
The Executive Committee of Reforms has been tasked to develop within three months after the approval of the personnel a draft Strategy for Sustainable Development of Ukraine until 2020.
The creation of the NCR goes along the lines of Ukraine’s European integration. Consequently, about a month ago Ukraine and the European Union signed the final, economic part of the Association Agreement (AA), forging closer ties between the signatories with a long-term perspective of closer political association and economic integration. Alongside Ukraine, two post-Soviet republics – Georgia and Moldova also sealed the deal with the European Union, confirming their pro-European choice.
President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy said that closer ties between Ukraine and the EU would lead to greater security, stability and prosperity of Ukraine and two other post-Soviet states-signatories. According to the deal the partnering states will also cooperate on the issues of strengthening the rule of law, advancing judicial reform, eradicating corruption, ensuring respect for fundamental rights and freedoms and strengthening democratic institutions.
