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Poroshenko urges to pass 2015 budget as soon as possible

Ukrainian President also stressed the necessity to amend the law on prosecutor general’s officie

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko TASS/EPA/WALLACE WOON

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

© TASS/EPA/WALLACE WOON

KIEV, December 26. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Friday urged to waste no time and pass the state budget for 2015 before the end of the current year.

“It is a decisive time for Ukraine, the time to give an answer to serious challenges facing the state - to preserve the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, to ensure proper defence of the state,” the press service of the Ukrainian head of state said, citing Poroshenko at a meeting with speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (parliament). Vladimir Groisman, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and leaders of the parliamentary coalition. “For these ends, we need the budget and money. We must do our best to pass the budget for 2015.”

He called on lawmakers to pass laws to create a fair court system. Poroshenko submitted a relevant bill, on ensuring the right to fair court, to the Verkhovna Rada. The bill provides for re-appraisal of judges, their appointment on a contest basis, additional control over their property status and harsher disciplinary liabilities.

Poroshenko also stressed the necessity to amend the law on prosecutor general’s officie. “We need fresh blood, we need people who are not covering each other’s backs. In other words, we need real personnel refreshing,” he said.

Earlier on Friday, Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko said the country would have international financial aid only after its parliament adopts the budget for 2015. The donors will decide on the size of their financial assistance after the parliament approves the next year’s budget, she said. “The government can promise no stabilization of the economic situation next year in case the budget is not adopted, since the country will have to live in conditions of cutting the 2014 budget,” she noted.

Ukraine’s international partners expect the government and the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) to demonstrate political will to take harsh decisions that would make further negotiations possible,” Jaresko said. “I hope after the budget is passed an International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission will come here in January to discuss these issues. Naturally, the size of financial assistance to Ukraine will be determined after the budget is passed.”.

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