The Verkhovna Rada has been asked to pass 14 important bills for effective continuation of cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) within the next two plenary sessions, First Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Development and Trade Minister of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv said at a coordination meeting with parliamentary factions.

The Economic Development and Trade Ministry reported on its website that eight government's bills must be discussed this week.

Among them are bill No. 4594 regarding public joint-stock company Ukrzaliznytsia, No. 4591 regarding the establishment of business ombudsman, No. 4503 regarding conditions for natural gas market functioning, No. 4515 regarding optimization of territorial agencies of the State Fiscal Service and No. 4516 regarding the mitigation of impact on administration of budget revenue.

The list also includes bill No. 4525 that removes companies of the fuel and energy complex from the list of state-run companies which are ineligible for privatization and No. 4536 regarding some entities of the agricultural and transport sectors.

Kubiv also asked lawmakers to discuss the important government's initiatives in response to existing "crisis" challenges.

This concerns the government's decisions to increase social standards by 10% from December 1, 2016 (bill No. 4543 amending the national budget), revoking pension tax (bill No. 4542); relaxation of registration of imported medicines (bill No. 4484).

Along with the draft laws related to cooperation with the IMF, there are additional legislative initiatives to be discussed as quickly as possible. They include the bill on macro-financial assistance (No. 4493 on the electricity market), the bill regarding management of state-run and municipal entities (No. 3062 with the president's remarks), the bill curbing permits in foreign economic activities (No. 2498 at second reading) and bills to improve legislation on public oversight (at second reading, No. 2531 and No. 2418).

Bill No. 4524 on increasing expenses on external independent appraisal and bill No. 4526 on amending the law on civil service also require quick consideration.

Kubiv said that bills No. 4551 on powers in the environment protection area and No. 3224 regarding documents confirming Ukrainian citizenship, ID or special status aimed at liberalizing the visa regime with the EU for Ukraine, No. 0954 on reforming the general-use road management system and No. 2490a regarding the execution of criminal penalties and implementation of convict rights still require approval.