Dmytro Razumkov: We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the EU-UNDP Parliamentary Reform Project

“The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of ninth convocation began its work under the slogan of rapid and qualitative changes for the country, and it was critical to start these changes with ourselves. I am sure that everyone sees the positive changes that are taking place today, although they are not as fast as everyone would like,” said Dmytro Razumkov.

The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine noted that since the project launch, a solid groundwork was done for planning and monitoring the lawmaking activities of the Verkhovna Rada, development of the Verkhovna Rada Secretariat, strengthening communications of the Parliament and the committees.

“Recently, an important part of our joint work was completed – a functional and institutional analysis of the Verkhovna Rada. We hope for the support of our partners in the implementation of recommendations developed to improve its work in the future," said the Chairperson of the Parliament.

Dmytro Razumkov also thanked the partners for their assistance in addressing issues related to the coronavirus pandemic in the parliamentary activities. “The Verkhovna Rada had to partially restrict access to its buildings, so we transferred everything we could online. At the same time, as the press centre was opened on the third floor, the journalists were able to work freely and comfortably during the lockdown. The work of the Parliament remained open,” he stressed.

The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also noted that digitalization of the Parliament’s work and communication with society – Ukrainian citizens and the international community – remain key priorities of the Parliament. “We hope for expert and technical support of the Project and the Parliamentary Reform Office on e-parliamentarism and the development of e-democracy tools,” highlighted Dmytro Razumkov.

“We see and understand that this cooperation helps us move forward. Therefore, we hope for the development of further cooperation for the comprehensive implementation of the initiatives that we launched. The key point is to continue moving on the right way, so that changes take place gradually and continuously,” the Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized.

First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk stressed the importance of monitoring legislation, because, in his words, “adoption in general is not an end in itself.” “It is important for us that the law can achieve the dream that the Parliament hopes for when drafting and adopting it," the politician stressed, emphasizing the special role of international organizations in cooperation with Ukrainian Parliament in reforming parliamentary procedures and coordinating lawmaking activities with the Government.

On behalf of the Parliament’s leadership, the First Deputy expressed gratitude to the team of the Parliamentary Reform Office and the EU-UNDP Project for supporting parliamentary reforms in Ukraine. “The Verkhovna Rada is ready for cooperation, for discussions for the sake of parliamentarism in Ukraine,” Ruslan Stefanchuk stressed.

Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk thanked for the fruitful cooperation and support of all positive changes in the activities of the Verkhovna Rada that are taking place within the framework of the Parliamentary Reform Project.

According to Olena Kondratiuk, key first steps towards significant changes are the update of the Parliament’s official website, changes in its communication strategy, technical re-equipment of the press centre of the Verkhovna Rada, and development of ideas for the rebranding of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

The Deputy Chairperson also thanked for the handbook on gender equality published on the eve of 8 March. “I hope for the changes that will soon take place in the Verkhovna Rada Secretariat, where more women will be involved in work. It is a very important component, argument and aspect of the Verkhovna Rada’s activity,” Olena Kondratiuk stressed.