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First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk and experts are developing a package of bills on democracy, which will focus, among other things, on local and national referenda.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov says the farmland market may be open to foreigners in Ukraine only after an national referendum.
"Regarding the referendum, it will take place, and only after the Ukrainian society determines that it is ready or unready to attract foreigners and give them the opportunity to buy Ukrainian land, or sell corporate rights, the market will be open to foreigners. But this is only after the referendum," he said during the Pravo na Vladu ("Right to Power") talk show on November 14, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Read alsoUkraine's parliament passes farmland land in first reading
When asked about a referendum in the context of the future law on farmland market, Razumkov noted that "there was such information that the referendum would be between the first and second reading [in the parliament]."
"This is not true, as it's physically impossible to prepare and hold a referendum ... There is no law on a referendum for the time being," he said.
At the same time, he noted that First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk and an expert team are developing a package of draft laws on democracy, which will focus, among other things, on local and national referenda.
"What the president was talking about and what was agreed with the majority of parliament ... First, the land market will be opening for individuals and for legal entities, the owners and ultimate beneficiaries of which are Ukrainian citizens," Razumkov said.
Secondly, there will be no transfer of corporate rights to other companies owned by foreigners.
The official added that there would also a "transitional phase." Ukrainians will see how the land market operates, and following that, they will determine whether to attract foreigners.
Commenting on passing the relevant bill in the first reading on November 13, the speaker said he "didn't violate anything yesterday" and everything was "quite peaceful and democratic."
"Yesterday, we observed almost all the agreements that were reached between representatives of different political forces. There was a very tough discussion, and sometimes it was very emotional. Nevertheless, it remained within a civilized procedure and civilized disputes," Razumkov said, adding that the consideration of the bill was in line with the rules of procedure.