The Ministry of Finance and the deputies were not able to agree on a Government project of the Tax Code and the budget based on it. Mass demonstrations against the Government's intentions took place in front of the Verkhovna Rada . The members of the two factions of the coalition - Batkivschyna aтd Samopomich - are also sharply criticizing the draft. Leader of the Petro Poroshenko Bloс in the Parliament Lutsenko said that the budget should be adopted according to the existing tax base and the Tax Code should be "polished" and adopted in the first quarter of 2016, to be put into force in 2017. Civil society activists, who were developing the draft together with the Parliamentary committee, are insisting on its immediate adoption and enactment, since it can quickly change the situation in the economy. The Verkhovna Rada set up a working group on the Tax reform.
The Cabinet of Ministers adopted a regulation restricting the supply of goods to the temporarily occupied territories, except for personals, socially significant products and humanitarian aid. Supplies of power and other strategic goods can be carried out only according to the decision of the National Security and Defense Council. Restrictions will come into effect in 30 days.
The Government allocated UAH 650 million for repayment of wage arrears to the miners. Energy Minister Demchishin said that the Government support for the industry decreased by five times.
The National Bank kept the interest rates at the same level - 22% per annum.
The official hryvnia exchange rate is stable: 23.49 ₴/$ (-0.03 UAH), 25.46 ₴/€ (-0.25 UAH), 3.33 ₴/10 ₽ (-0.01 UAH).
President Putin held his annual press conference at which he admitted that there are Russian soldiers in the eastern Ukraine, but denied that they are the fighters of the regular troops. He again demanded a special status for the Donbass and its implementation in the Ukrainian Constitution.
Putin claimed about deterioration of the economic relations, abolition of all privileges and preferences for Ukraine starting from January 1, 2016 .
Russian court left Ukrainian deputy Savchenko in custody until mid-April 2016. In response, she went on hunger strike until the end of the trial.
The Ministry of Finance reported that it could not repay the "Yanukovych debt" on initial conditions, while respecting the financial objectives of the IMF program and other commitments. At the same time the Ministry informed about its readiness to negotiate on the restructuring.
President Poroshenko visited the NATO headquarters in Brussels. Commander of NATO forces in Europe, Breedlove said that the Alliance is ready to provide enhanced technical assistance to Ukraine. Poroshenko considers that cooperation with the NATO is one of the priority issues of security and strengthening of the defensive capacity of Ukraine.
Israel and Turkey agreed to restore the diplomatic relations and settle the conflict, which lasted since 2010.
According to European diplomats, the introduction of a free trade zone gives Ukraine the prospects for rapid growth while reducing consumer prices, since almost all tariffs on imports of Ukrainian products to the EU are lifted for the transitional period . At the same time Ukraine is not required to introduce them unilaterally. Under the Agreement, Ukraine should harmonize its legislation and standards with the legislation and standards of the EU. Participation in other customs unions is not possible, however, the country may enter into agreements on free trade zones without restrictions. The process of negotiations with Russia will not affect the timing of the introduction of the Agreement or its text. For the successful implementation of the Association Agreement, it is necessary to strengthen the civil society pressure on the Government of Ukraine. The EU stands ready to provide Ukraine with the technical assistance regarding the implementation of the Association Agreement. For the successful development, in addition to attracting the foreign investment, the mechanism for incorporating the internal financial reserves should be launched . The Association Agreement will exclude from competition the non-market methods of protection , which were used by Ukrainian businesses, close to the Government.
Deputy General Prosecutor Kasko believes that the reform of the Prosecutor's Office did not result in radical renewal of its structure. This is due to the imperfection of the Law on Lustration and the Prosecutor's Office leadership counteractions .
Oil prices on world markets continue to fall and reached their eight-year low. Since the beginning of the month they collapsed by more than 20% - to $ 37 per barrel. A number of experts offer to take advantage of this situation and increase the excise tax on fuel, investing the proceeds into energy efficient technologies. In case the price increases again, excise taxes can be reduced to soften the growth of price, and to guarantee a smooth transition to a post-oil economy.
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