To complete decentralization, it is necessary to amend the Constitution of Ukraine on relations between central and local authorities, as well as to adopt legislation on local referendums and on self-government in urban communities. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the meeting of the Communities and Territories Development Council within the All-Ukrainian Forum "Ukraine 30".
The Head of State stressed that decentralization is finally not imitated, but actually implemented. He noted that the standard of living, safety, health, education, comfort and well-being of Ukrainians depends on the level of interaction between the authorities.
"We have done everything we can to create capable communities that can address most of the issues of our present and our future," the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded that a new system of districts has already been introduced, the distribution of powers between districts and communities has been streamlined - communities have received funds, powers and resources, including land. At the same time, the central government continues the large-scale program "Large Construction" to create a modern infrastructure in each region of Ukraine - road, educational, medical, sports, cultural, tourism and more.
"Our movement continues, because the decentralization is not finalized yet, and this year we have to solve some very important, priority tasks. The first is to adopt amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine regarding relations between central and local authorities. It is, in particular, about the institute of prefects and liquidation of local administrations," the Head of State said.
According to him, these changes are aimed at ensuring that a number of local issues are resolved not by officials from the capital, but directly by the people living in a particular region.
"At the same time, we must preserve our territorial integrity - strong and indisputable. Therefore, the prefects will control the observance of the Constitution and laws of Ukraine in each territory and will become a guarantee of the unitary system of our state," Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.
The President called on the deputies of the Verkhovna Rada to adopt amendments to the Constitution regarding decentralization.
"These changes were discussed with local government leaders, our Ukrainian academics and experts during the year. It is time to move from discussions to real action," he said, asking the chairman of the Legal Reform Council and the relevant parliamentary committee to coordinate the process.
The second important task is the development and adoption of regulations that take into account the specifics of self-government in urban communities and give cities a boost and opportunities for development.
"The third task is to develop and adopt legislation on local referendums. This will increase the community's influence on local government activities and key decision-making on the ground. We need to reach the final formula of governance at the local level: communities decide, people influence and control together with the state," the President said.
