Groysman: Rada close to implementation of decentralization reform

Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Groysman has spoken about the importance of the parliament's efficient over the next plenary week to pass legislative amendments related to the decentralization of power.

"This plenary week is extremely important, as parliament will come close to implementing the most important reforms – the reforms on the decentralization of power," Groysman said at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Karl Erjavec in Kyiv on Tuesday, the press service of the Verkhovna Rada has reported.

Groysman thanked Slovenia for admitting Ukrainian children from families affected by the Chornobyl nuclear power plant disaster and internally displaced persons for rehabilitation, as well as for the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement by the parliament of Slovenia.

"The sides discussed the external challenges that have arisen in connection with the Russian aggression in Ukraine's east," the statement reads.

Erjavec noted that the failure to comply with the Minsk agreement by Russia has caused concern in Slovenia as the agreements have not been met, in particular terms of the use of heavy weapons and the ceasefire. He also said that in such a situation, the OSCE does not always have access to the places of confrontation which has led to a distortion of reports.

Erjavec also said that his country supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. He spoke in favor of the simplification of the visa regime with the EU for Ukrainians, expressing the hope that before the end of the year Kyiv will fulfill all the necessary conditions.