Ukraine prime minister tymoshenko highlights transparency initiative

The Ukrainian Prime Minister stressed that her Transparency Initiative is based on understanding the need for change and reform in Ukraine in accordance with key European values, as well as widespread popular demand for a truly civil society in Ukraine.

Within this context, Ms. Tymoshenko described the following preconditions as significant for the implementation of the TTI:

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• Equality of all citizens under the law
  
• Open and effective communication between the government and citizens
  
• Accountability for all branches of government 
  
• Establishment of  rights for the Opposition & effective political dialogue
  
• Clear objectives in foreign policy & clear communications with partners
  
• European standards of public administration and civil society
  

The Prime Minister underscored that the principles of transparency would be the cornerstone of the new Ukrainian Government, particularly a more effective public administration, which will serve to improve the investment climate in Ukraine.

The TTI is a comprehensive reform program, developed in collaboration with members of Ukraine’s business community, that will introduce European standards of transparency across Ukrainian civil society, including:

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• Constitutional reform
  
• Judiciary system reform
  
• Budgetary processes
  
• Governmental purchasing and tender procedures
  
• Investment and economic incentive programs, including:
  
  • Equal rules for all entrepreneurs
    
  • Tax system reform, including VAT refunds
    
  • Business registration procedures
    
  • Addressing and eliminating conflicts of interest
    
  • Reforming the privatization process, e.g. open auctions without discriminatory pre-qualification limitations
    
  • Equal access for Ukrainian and foreign investors
    
  • Minority shareholders rights
    
  • Consistent rules governing the lease or sale of non-agricultural land
    
• Energy policy
  
• Removal of trading intermediaries
  
• Implementation of treaties, including the European Energy Charter and the Energy Community Treaty
  
• Protecting the rights of producers, transporters and consumers
  
• Introducing transparency into permitting for the extraction of natural resources, including:
  
  • A law on the distribution of production
    
  • Open auctions for obtaining an extraction license
    

Prime Minister Tymoshenko stressed that Ukraine, as part of Europe and an aspirant to future membership in the European Union, must adopt European standards of governance – standards that are based on equal rights, equal access and absolute transparency in reform.  The Tymoshenko Transparency Initiative is the first step in that process.