The Verkhovna Rada Gains Control Over Eurointegration Laws — The Government Must Report Quarterly on Its Work
Ukraine's course toward full membership in the European Union has entered the phase of practical implementation. After the approval of the National Program for the Adaptation of Legislation to EU Law (EU acquis), there arose a need to update domestic procedures.
The draft Resolution on parliamentary support for the negotiation process for Ukraine's accession to the European Union aims not only to formally fulfill obligations but also to synchronize the actions of the Parliament and the Government for the successful closure of negotiation clusters.
New model of interaction between the Cabinet of Ministers and the Verkhovna Rada on eurointegration bills
An updated approach to the preparation and support of eurointegration bills is being introduced, which provides for closer coordination between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the relevant committees of the Verkhovna Rada.
An important element of the new model is the requirement for coordinated development of legislative initiatives aimed at implementing the norms of the EU acquis. From now on, the government not only prepares draft regulatory acts but also interacts with parliamentary committees at all key stages of their preparation.
Strengthening coordination between branches of power
According to the new approaches, the Cabinet of Ministers is obliged to promptly inform the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada about the results of consultations and negotiations with European Union institutions concerning the preparation of eurointegration bills.
A separate mechanism is provided for involving Parliament in the process of preparing the final version of bills. If the government conducts consultations with the EU regarding the text of a document prepared for the second reading, it is obliged to involve the main relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada in this process.
This approach aims to ensure the consistency of legislative initiatives with European standards and minimize the risks of significant changes in the text of the bill without the participation of the parliamentary committee.
The resolution introduces a reporting system that was previously optional. Quarterly, the Government must submit to the Verkhovna Rada:
- A report on the implementation of the National Program for Adaptation (EU acquis).
- A report on the current status of negotiations on EU membership.
Any changes to the National Program for Adaptation must be agreed upon with the authorized representative of the Verkhovna Rada, a function performed by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (or his deputies).
The draft Resolution introduces official labeling of bills with a special mark — "eurointegration".
The automatic labeling is applied by the Verkhovna Rada Apparatus to drafts submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers in fulfillment of the National Program or its parts.
For other legislative initiators (deputies), the label is applied only based on the conclusion of the relevant committee, which assesses compliance with international legal obligations.
This labeling has not only informational but also procedural significance, highlighting priority documents within the overall array of legislative initiatives.
The role of the Verkhovna Rada Apparatus and the implementation of eurointegration Roadmaps
The resolution also defines an enhanced administrative role for the Verkhovna Rada Apparatus in ensuring effective coordination of the eurointegration legislative process.
The head of the Verkhovna Rada Apparatus receives powers to distribute organizational tasks among the secretariats of parliamentary committees according to the key eurointegration Roadmaps. This concerns, in particular, documents in the areas of the rule of law, public administration reform, functioning of democratic institutions, and protection of national minority rights.
Thus, a centralized mechanism for administrative support of the legislative process focused on fulfilling Ukraine's obligations within the eurointegration course is formed.
A separate function of the Apparatus as an information hub is provided. It ensures the accumulation, systematization, and processing of data received from the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and international partners involved in eurointegration processes.
Responsible secretariats are also designated to support the work of people's deputies as part of negotiation groups with the European Union, providing organizational and analytical support.
Special attention is paid to the implementation of Section III of the Roadmap regarding the functioning of parliaments in a democratic system. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine receives the right to determine the procedure for preparing regulatory acts to implement this component.
In fact, this means that the reform of parliamentary procedures becomes part of a broader eurointegration process and must comply with the standards of democratic governance adopted in the European Union.
Thus, for the first time, a legislative mechanism is established whereby the Government cannot conduct consultations with the EU on the texts of laws before the second reading without the participation of Parliament representatives.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel t.me/sudua, Google News SUD.UA Google News SUD.UA, as well as our VIBER and WhatsApp, Facebook page and Instagram to stay informed about the most important events.
