Supreme Council adjourns for holidays; Chairman Moroz cites intensity of session (12/31/95)

Supreme Council adjourns for holidays; Chairman Moroz cites intensity of session

by Marta Kolomayets
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - The fourth session of the current Supreme Council adjourned on December 22, and lawmakers dispersed for a Christmas holiday recess before tackling such issues as the 1996 state budget and adoption of the Ukrainian Constitution.

"Though this session was short in duration, it was no less intensive than preceding sessions," said Parliament Chairman Oleksander Moroz, delivering closing remarks.

"As regards the number and complexity of bills reviewed, they included key social and economic issues. The fourth session had its share of weighty matters. This does credit to the Supreme Council, and is evidence of its heightened professionalism, better organization of the legislative process in parliamentary committees, and its increased cooperation with the government," noted Mr. Moroz, summing up three months of work.

Among this Parliament's most important achievements was accession to the Council of Europe, said the parliamentary leader, explaining that "this is recognition by the European community of our nation's domestic and foreign policies, our democratic course, aimed at developing good-neighborly relations with all countries - in the East, as well as in the West."

In the course of 58 plenary meetings during the fourth session of this Parliament, more than 220 issues were examined, 64 laws were adopted and 17 bills were endorsed in the first reading, said Mr. Moroz.

For the fifth session, currently scheduled to run from January 16 through July 16, 1996, 237 issues have been selected for review out of 370 proposed for examination.

Headway was made in striving for cooperation between the legislative and executive powers, noted the Parliament chairman, adding that the first steps toward this goal were taken in the spring when a constitutional accord was signed between the president and Parliament.

The current session showed concerted efforts by both branches of government to work together, as the idea of "Government Day," a session during which lawmakers can question and quiz ministers, was introduced in Parliament. Three such sessions were held during the fall, and Mr. Moroz explained that they are scheduled to take place once a month in the new year.

The practice of holding joint meetings of the presidiums of the Parliament and the government also began in 1995, as deputies and government officials tried to work together to provide better economic and social conditions for the country's 52 million citizens.

Social and economic issues will be at the top of the Parliament's agenda in 1996, noted Mr. Moroz, explaining that 56 bills covering such matters as taxation policy and tax reform were adopted in the first reading during the fall months and should be passed in the fifth session. Bills regulating minimum wage and social security for war veterans are also to be examined when the Parliament reconvenes.

But Mr. Moroz's words were not all praise, as he noted that "the work of the Parliament is far from ideal." Discipline is still lacking, there are cases of violations of parliamentary ethics and steady absenteeism among some deputies, he explained.

In his closing speech, Mr. Moroz also said that more than 30 international agreements, treaties and conventions are scheduled to be reviewed in the upcoming fifth session, and he stressed the importance of bringing Ukraine's legislation into line with demands set forth by the Council of Europe.

Mr. Moroz emphasized that the fifth session should adopt the 1996 state budget and work diligently to advance the pace of adopting a new Constitution.

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