The Verkhovna Rada has passed at first reading a bill on the prosecutor's office submitted by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

A total of 286 out of the 393 MPs registered in the session hall voted for this bill on Friday.

As reported, the bill on the public prosecutor's office provides for the abolition of the general supervision by the prosecutor's office and pre-trial investigation. The bill takes into account recommendations of the Venice Commission, except for those concerning the term of office, the procedure of appointment and dismissal of the prosecutor general, which will remain unchanged because of constitutional limitations.

The bill on prosecutor's office is among those, which Ukraine needs to pass in order to sign the association agreement with the European Union.