On 18 December 2019, President of Ukraine signed the Law “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Voluntary Amalgamation of Territorial Hromadas” (on simplifying the procedure for approval of perspective plans for the formation of territories of hromadas of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, oblasts)” - Bill No 2189 dated 30.09.2019.

The law stipulates that amalgamation of hromadas will continue to take place only in accordance with the perspective plan. The law also states that perspective plans will be developed by oblast state administrations and approved by the Government. That is, the procedure for creating perspective plans will no longer involve the stage of approval of these documents by oblast councils.

This Law shall enter into force on the day following its publication.

It should be reminded that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted this Law in the second reading and as a whole on 5 December 2019