Legislative Integration With Europe

On September 10, Verkhovna Rada considered a Cabinet of Ministers bill on the national program to adapt Ukraine’s legislation to that of the EU. Under the bill, adapting legislation is the process of drafting and approving laws and creating conditions for their implementation aimed at bringing Ukraine’s legal system into line with that of the EU. The bill outlines the program implementation as a phased process, reports Interfax-Ukraine.

The first phase is expected to last from 2004 through 2007. The duration of subsequent phases will be determined depending on the results achieved during previous phases, the economic, political, and social situation in Ukraine, along with the development of Ukraine’s relationship with the EU. Under the program, the first phase of adaptation will affect the spheres of customs laws, company legislation, banking laws, accounting, taxes, intellectual property, occupational safety, financial services, market competition rules, government purchasing, health care, environmental protection, protection of consumer rights, technical regulations and standards, transport, and power generation. The state budget and technical assistance funds are proposed as the sources of funding for the program.