In September-November 2018, the Project on Promoting a Dialogue on Reforms in Ukraine of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) plans to hold a series of regional roundtables for representatives of local self-government on hromadas’ accession to cities of oblast significance. The events will be supported by MinRegion.

This was announced by Vyacheslav Nehoda, First Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services, following the results of the meeting with Jeffrey Erlich, Senior Project Officer of OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.

"We welcome the OSCE initiative to engage in discussion of issues of voluntary accession of hromadas to cities of oblast significance. We appreciate the experience of this organisation in conducting uneasy dialogues, including in the east of Ukraine. I am sure they will help cities and suburban hromadas hear each other and choose the most effective further development option, and help us to find out the causes of misunderstandings among hromadas and understand what kind of help they need from us," said Vyacheslav Nehoda.

"We are glad that we can support one of the most successful reforms in Ukraine. We specialise on dialogues. We do not incline anyone to anything, we do not convince of anything, but only help to establish a dialogue between people, identify complex issues that require further clarification and action. In such an uneasy issue as hromadas’ accession, people have to listen and hear each other. Without a dialogue, it will be difficult for them to make a balanced decision and avoid a conflict," said Jeffrey Erlich.

The OSCE and MinRegion specify the timetable and venue for the events. In general, in September – November, the OSCE plans to hold five roundtable meetings in the regions. The final event will take place at the end of the year in Kyiv.