KYIV. March 26 (Interfax) - The local self-government reform should take place in accordance with the constitutional process, Serhiy Hrynevetsky, a member of the Party of Regions faction of the Ukrainian parliament, said, adding that the powers of local authorities can be partially reinforced in accordance with the current legislation.
"The local administration reform should take place in accordance with the constitutional process and it needs time. However, steps aimed at strengthening the authorities can be taken in accordance with the current legislation," Hrynevetsky said in the Ukrainian parliament on Wednesday.
Hrynevetsky quoted the provisions of the law on local self-government, which states that "district and regional councils have exclusive powers to make proposals to the cabinet on the candidacies of the heads of regional state administrations."
"Let's fulfill the existing law," Hrynevetsky said.
At the same time, he suggested resuming the operation of free economic zones in the Odesa and Reniysky sea ports.
"We are not talking about the creation of new economic zones, only about the resumption of the powers of the local authorities that existed before 2005 and justified themselves," the parliamentarian said, adding that appropriate bills need to be debated immediately.
Hrynevetsky also spoke in favor of giving local authorities the right to receive loans under guarantees provided by local budgets.
"This practice yielded positive results in the past and can be used in the current crisis," he said.