Ukraine`s parliament adopts 2007 budget

Ukraine`s parliament, the Supreme Rada, adopted an amended draft law on the 2007 state budget Tuesday, according to RIA Novosti.

      President Viktor Yushchenko vetoed the 2007 budget a week ago and returned it to parliament, demanding higher social spending.

      Yushchenko said estimates of living costs in the budget, on which pension payouts are based, were too low.

      The Cabinet, which had backed the original draft, criticized the president`s move, and the sides held talks on Friday. Yushchenko, pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and senior members of parliament then negotiated a new draft.

      A total of 245 of 437 deputies voted for the new budget on Tuesday.