Medium-term
planning, both at the central and local level, should become a new priority and
the basis for a new stage of decentralization reform in Ukraine. This
was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman during the extended Government meeting
"Decentralization and Regional Development".
The Head of
Government reminded that the decentralization reform had started in April 2014.
At that
time a few could realize the target of the reform. However, transformations have begun. And
if Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea had the decentralization
potential of now, then the situation in the country would be different, assures
the Head of Government.
"If Donetsk,
Crimea and Luhansk being under occupation nowadays
had opportunities, they would flourish, they would have the resources to give a
new quality life to the citizens", stressed Volodymyr
Groysman. "Instead,
today we shouldn’t boast of what we have already obtained. Today
we have to sum up and outline the agenda for a new period. And
here the issue of medium-term planning should become a priority - both in
budgetary policy and in the policy of regional development".
The Head of
Government emphasized that local budget revenues had grown by over UAH 100
billion due to decentralization. Meanwhile,
the State, as a tool to support the regions, directs over UAH 30 billion under
different programs to various areas. But
since the key task is to develop the economy, we should talk about how to
increase these revenues. "The
sum worth UAH 100 billion must become UAH 200 billion, and this resource should
be used to create new jobs, raise the standard of living of citizens. And
here the topmost issues are the wage, the pension, to which polyclinic you come
and which school or kindergarten our children attend. This is our
objective", urged Volodymyr Groysman.
He stressed that
the new standards mean an update of the education, healthcare, infrastructure,
overcoming the infrastructure and digital divide in Ukraine. "The
time has come to determine concrete priorities and improve the quality of lives
of citizens", the Head of Government added, "It's easy to go out and
say this or that reform is bad. It is
very difficult to assume responsibility and bring about changes."
The Prime
Minister stressed that it is timely to shape the State development strategy while
the Government sets the principal directions of work. "We will invest in
education, healthcare, youth and children", stressed Volodymyr
Groysman. "One can take the resource and spend
it to achieve populist goals. But this is not our way. It is crucial for us to
continue to do our job, which will access Ukrainian citizens".
