President of Viktor Yanukovych has met with Marietta de Pourbaix-Lundin, PACE co-rapporteur on the honoring of obligations and commitments by Ukraine, presidential press office reported.
"Ukraine will soon start its chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. I consider that an opportunity to deepen Ukraine's interaction with the structures of the Council of Europe in all directions," Viktor Yanukovych said at the beginning of the conversation.
In his opinion, this interaction is particularly important in the context of introduction of reforms in Ukraine, particularly those related to electoral legislation, law enforcement bodies, administrative management, etc.
The President also noted that six months ago he had had a fruitful conversation with PACE Monitoring Committee co-rapporteur Mailis Reps, and had discussed with her the priorities of democratic reforms in Ukraine, aimed at our country’s fulfillment of commitments to the Council of Europe.
"Based on the recommendations of the PACE, we have conducted an inventory of the long-unfulfilled tasks, mainly due to political strife between the branches of government. In January 2011, I approved the list of bills that have to be developed and submitted to the Parliament in order to make sure that Ukraine observes its obligations arising from its membership in the Council of Europe," he said.
The President said that the directions listed by the PACE as priority for Ukraine, are also central in his political program. This is particularly true for the constitutional and electoral reforms and fighting corruption.
For her part, Marietta de Pourbaix-Lundin said that the PACE is looking forward to the beginning of Ukraine's presidency in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (the six-month presidency of our country in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe begins on May 11, 2011).
"We know that you, Mr. President, have formulated a number of initiatives to help Ukraine meet its obligations to the Council of Europe" the PACE Monitoring Committee co-rapporteur said.
