When major changes are taking place in the country, and the decentralisation reform is irreversible, we need political support and a strong political will of the President, the Government and the Verkhovna Rada, like it was in 2014, when we only had a great ambition to change the country and people's lives for the better. We have to show Ukrainians the prospect of the development of the state, and therefore we set ourselves no less complex goals and objectives, said Hennadii Zubko, Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine, speaking at the Regional Development Council under the chairmanship of the President of Ukraine.

"In 2019, we must formulate perspective plans, regional development strategies and create conditions for the amalgamation and accession of hromadas, adopt an utterly significant draft law No. 8051 “On the Principles of an Administrative-Territorial Structure” in the Parliament to liberate the country from the Soviet system and allow hromadas to build a completely new territorial structure in Ukraine. The next local elections of 2019 in AHs should be held simultaneously with the parliamentary elections,” said Hennadii Zubko.

The Vice Prime Minister outlined the objectives and tasks for 2020, when an administrative decision on hromadas’ amalgamation should be taken in line with the perspective plans, approved by the oblast councils. And also local elections should take place, provided that the whole territory of Ukraine is covered by AHs and on a new territorial basis. This is the main task of implementing the key stage of the reform.

"We must complete the key phase of the decentralisation reform so that absolutely all Ukrainian citizens, living in hromadas, do not experience discrimination, have equal access to quality services – in education, healthcare, and social sphere, and most importantly, have the opportunity to build their future,” Hennadii Zubko said.