OREANDA-NEWS. July 09, 2010. President Viktor Yanukovych has conducted a meeting of the Committee on Economic Reforms. Opening the meeting President Yanukovych reminded that a month has passed since the publication of the Program of Economic Reforms 2010 - 2014 titled "Prosperous society, competitive economy, effective government”.

"The program caused a lot of interest in the society. Its active discussion is going on, including at meetings of regional committees regularly held under my chairmanship in different regions of Ukraine," he said.

The President praised the fact the Program includes suggestions which came from different parts of Ukraine, from national and international experts, business associations, NGOs, etc.

"I think this is a positive sign and evidence that we are doing extremely important and necessary work," said Viktor Yanukovych, and added that relevant working groups carefully studied the suggestions.

"Now, the Program is a document which provides clear guidance on how to reform Ukraine's economy and achieve our main goal – the improvement of people's lives. I would like to repeat again: all further steps of the government in the state must be made in strict accordance with the provisions of the Program,” said President Yanukovych.

The President separately touched upon the subject of new Tax Code which he has already made critical comments on. He informed that today he had a debate on the document with Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. "But that does not mean that we will reduce this work to mere arguments. Some believes that tax cuts we suggest for VAT and income tax have already happened, and everything else can be adjusted as one is pleased. Lobbying groups have been created that coax deputies what to vote for and what not.

We will not make the Code suit any lobby group’s interests. The Code will be made to meet the interests of the state. In some parts it, of course, will not be popular, but it is the law which would bring us closer to European standards, standards of transparency, standards we all want to achieve," he said.

Viktor Yanukovych stressed that the document will provide conditions and incentives for economic growth, rather than filling pockets of ”individual financial groups”.

The President also informed that he is to request Verkhovna Rada Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn to provide continuation of public discussion of the Tax Code and preparation for the adoption of the bill.

"We understand that we can do that only in autumn. And based on the Tax Code and the Budget Code we will be forming the 2011 Budget. Clearly, we must complete this work by the end of this year including to adopt the budget," he said.

President Yanukovych also praised the collaboration between the Government, the parliamentary coalition and the Committee on Economic Reforms saying that “it will allow us to elaborate a mechanism of conducting these reforms already this year”.

The President thanked members of the Committee on Economic Reforms for their work. "Together we are quickly moving forward. I think that we will be able to keep this high-speed pace up,” he said.

According to Viktor Yanukovych, at today's meeting its participants must approve the schedule of implementation of the Program of Economic Reforms. Separately President stressed the importance of establishing a system of monitoring the effectiveness of the Committee and responding quickly to problems that arise.