NO PARLIAMENT MEETINGS IN UKRAINE THIS WEEK

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The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will hold no plenary meetings this week, because its coalition and opposition forces have not so far managed to reach mutual understanding.

Roman Zvarych, Our Ukraine - People's Self-Defense bloc faction member, said this to reporters on Wednesday, following consultations of faction representatives with the Parliament Speaker.

"The consultations were vain, as the opposition is setting forth new demands," he said.

Beside the previous demand concerning the Speaker's withdrawal of his signature under the letter seeking Ukraine's accession to the NATO Membership Action Plan, the Party of Regions' faction is also demanding that the draft resolution on NATO bear a distinct date of the referendum on entry in the Alliance. The opposition is insisting the referendum be held not later than in six months, Zvarych said.

Another requirement, according to him, is a halt to all moves concerning Ukraine's membership in NATO.

The OU-PSD spokesman noted that the faction is interested in unblocking the Verkhovna Rada work for the priority bills to be voted. "But we are not going to bargain over the strategic issue like Ukraine's accession to NATO," he said.

Zvarych noted that, in keeping with the Constitution, the President of Ukraine may disband Verkhovna Rada in 30 days.

"Today I reminded my colleagues from the opposition that, in keeping with the Constitution, the President has the right to early termination of Verkhovna Rada's authorities, if during 30 days of one session plenary meetings are not convened," he emphasized.

The Party of Regions has been blocking the Rada work since January 18, demanding consideration of the question of the letter of Ukraine's three top leaders concerning Ukraine's joining the NATO Membership Action Plan.

UKRINFORM