"To ensure implementation of the reforms, we need the unity in the coalition, the political will and political responsibility of each member of Parliament, President, Prime Minister and the Government for the fate of the country," stressed Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk in "10 minutes" programme on Sunday, November 8.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk reminded that week the Parliament had refused to vote for laws that stipulate for real fight against corruption. Such laws, he noted, are in effect in all EU member countries: "What is the debate in the Ukrainian Parliament? Maybe someone wants to escape from criminal liability for corruption crimes or to prevent an opportunity to return the assets of the former regime?"
The Prime Minister appealed to the Parliament with a request to approve the next plenary week the laws "necessary for every citizen of our country": "I appeal to the political responsibility of the entire Ukrainian parliamentary coalition and each MP of Ukraine personally. The Ukrainians have a national goal – to become members of the European Union. Do not block the way towards this goal, and do everything to ensure we could pass this way together."
He stressed that over the past 20 months "we have survived, have passed the first stage of reforms, and we need to move on": "We have received incredible support from the European Union, the United States of America and the entire free western world. Support of the outside world is crucial, but we can obtained it only when all of us in synergy advance further".
Arseniy Yatsenyuk accentuated the only way we have is the way of reforms: "All member-countries of the European Union have passed the same path, Ukraine is following now. They were doing it 20 years ago. We should do this immediately".
"In the last twenty years we have been trying to find a different way how to build Ukraine. As a result we got lost and have hardly lost our country. That is why the Agreement on political association and Agreement on free trade area with the EU is our road map and action plan how to make Ukraine part of the European Union," Arseniy Yatsenyuk stressed.
The Head of the Government highlighted to ensure the implementation of this agreement, it is crucial to have "a political will of the political class, which is elected by the people of Ukraine, the political responsibility for the extremely difficult, unpopular, but correct steps and decisions, much needed for the Ukrainian state".
"The history of our state shows that the greatest threat to the independence of Ukraine was posed byinternal factors. Strife, conflicts, squabbles, politicking and lack of responsibility before the Ukrainian people for the future of the Ukrainian state. Our enemies expect similar things to happen again. I'll give you my answer: we will be strong and will pursue this path of right, difficult but the only correct steps and changes for Ukraine," said Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
"We are following the path of European reforms. But this road should be built every day by working hard,day after day, kilometre after kilometre. And all of us must engage in building this European way of Ukraine", he said.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk focused on the agenda for the Parliament to complete before the end of year.
First of all, the Verkhovna Rada should vote on key laws, which allow Ukraine to get a visa-free regime forthe citizens of the country.
In addition, the agenda contains the adoption of a package of bills on education and healthcare, as well as the formation of a new State Bureau of investigations: "Everyone discusses the Prosecutor's office failure to fulfilits function. Hence, the Government insists on deprivation of the Prosecutor's office of investigation functions and the establishment of an independent State Bureau of investigation".
It is also vital to adopt a fair budget for 2016: "The Budget is not a political fiction. The budget impliesarithmetic. One should spend only what he has earned. But to earn more, the Parliament should enact laws on deregulation and transparent and fair privatization. Ukraine needs investment for economic growth, new jobs, increase of budget revenues, and thus the increase of social standards".
Arseniy Yatsenyuk also stressed that on 11 December, the Government of Ukraine would report to the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian Parliament for a year of activities.