Omelchenko promises Kiev will become the capital of the region

According to Kiev’s mayor Omelchenko’s press statements, Kiev may become the capital of the region as early as this October. 

According to him, all of the documents concerning the administrative-territorial reform of Kiev have already been prepared.

"During a meeting in City Hall with the Vice Prime Minister Roman Bezsmertniy, I and my colleagues introduced the principles of the administrative-territorial reform of Kiev to him," said Omelchenko.

Omelchenko pointed out that the reform is based on the drafts of the general plan of city development up to the year 2020.  It includes seven administrative regions as well as territory adjacent to the city. 

Omelchenko has also said that "one document has already been passed on to the Cabinet of Ministers, another will be sent to the Verkhovna Rada this week because there are certain constitutional and legal issues that must be worked out by the Rada.  I would like to be sure that the Rada’s decision will be carried out before October," as reported by Interfax. 

Omelchenko reported that Kiev’s budget, as well as the program for socio-economic development of the capital for the year 2006 will be developed in accordance with the administrative-territorial reform of Kiev and its status as the capital of the region.