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PACE president calls for efficient decentralization system in Ukraine

Ukraine needs solid democratic institutions, a sound constitutional and legal framework, an independent, impartial and effective judiciary, a modern and efficient system of devolution of power

Anne Brasseur EPA/MATHIEU CUGNOT

Anne Brasseur

© EPA/MATHIEU CUGNOT

PARIS, April 20. /TASS/. Ukraine needs an efficient system of decentralization and an inclusive political process, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Anne Brasseur on Monday in her opening address for the April 2015 part-session in Strasbourg.

"Ukraine needs solid democratic institutions, a sound constitutional and legal framework, an independent, impartial and effective judiciary, a modern and efficient system of devolution of power, and - above all - an inclusive political process to carry out all these reforms," Brasseur said.

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The PACE chief reminded that since February 2015 a ceasefire regime has been in place in eastern Ukraine. She emphasized that this is a "fragile" ceasefire "because it is very difficult to enforce and violations happen on a daily basis."

"However, fragile as it is, I believe that it is our chance to move from violence to dialogue. Now, all of us have to shoulder our responsibilities and seize this new opportunity for building peace. Europe, and the international community for that matter, have to do everything possible to help solve the conflict," Brasseur said.

Last week, the Council of Europe announced that offices for informing citizens about the upcoming Ukrainian administrative reform would be open in all the Ukrainian regions.

The agreement on this was reached in Strasbourg between the secretary general of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland, and Ukraine’s minister of regional development, construction, housing and utilities economy, Gennady Zubko.

These regional centers will help to pave the way for the decentralization that is very important for ensuring a long-term political stability in Ukraine, Jagland said on Friday.

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Ukraine crisis PACE

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