Ukraine ready to begin decentralization of power - Poroshenko
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has congratulated local governments and territorial communities on the occasion of Local Self-Government Day.
"Communities want to live a new life and have broader opportunities. We are ready to launch decentralization of power - a change that is acquiring special importance ahead of the rural and mayoral elections, and the elections of local legislatures. However, representatives to be elected by local communities must be prepared not only to get broad opportunities, but also to bear responsibility for the life and development of their territories," says Poroshenko's message of greetings, posted on his website on Sunday.
Poroshenko also said that the government standards in cities, towns and rural areas, the quality of the work to fulfill the obligations assumed, and the maintenance and observance of self-government principles in local communities depend on local government executives' conscientious work, initiative and active position.
"Well-to-do communities guarantee Ukraine's prosperity and unity. I wish all local communities to continue as successful and effective entities, and local government executives to always work in citizens' interests," Poroshenko said.
Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk said, in turn, that Local Self-Government Day is a day, marked by "resolute and proactive people, who assume responsibility for running community affairs confidently, bravely and in the interests of the Ukrainian people."
"Ukraine is to tackle an extremely important task of carrying out a deep self-government reform. Decentralization of power will allow us to give the territorial communities new levers of influencing financial resources and to ensure citizens' participation in running their own cities and villages," Yatseniuk said in a message of greetings, posted on the Cabinet's website on Sunday.
Yatseniuk said he was convinced that an assessment will be given to future changes by Ukrainian citizens, who want those they delegate to local governments to be aware of their responsibility, and to be competent and attentive to the needs of each member of the community.