The formation of a new administrative and territorial structure of the Kharkov region was discussed at a meeting of the Association of Local Self-Government Bodies of the Region. The meeting participants decided to address the chairman of the regional council and the head of the regional state administration with the request to create an appropriate working group.

As the president of the Association, the chairman of the regional council, Sergei Chernov, noted in Ukraine, actual implementation of the administrative and territorial reform and the process of formation of wealthy communities by uniting.

"Undoubtedly, the problem needs to be resolved at the legislative level, to adopt an appropriate law regulating the issues of administrative and territorial organization. And also to make changes to the Constitution concerning decentralization and reform of local self-government regarding the distribution of powers between state authorities and local self-government, to regulate the legal aspects of their relations, "Chernov said..

In his opinion, the concern is that some experts in Kiev are not very aware of the specifics, mentality, features of all regions of Ukraine, and they give recommendations on enlarging the regions.

"Our colleagues from the local government are trying to find out whether this is the official position of the state or not, that in Kharkov region will be created only three districts with Kharkov as an administrative-territorial unit. This they heard in the media. I can clearly say: this is not true. This is the personal opinion of individual experts, "- said the head of the Regional Council.

The regional association of local self-government decided to create an appropriate working group, which will include deputies, representatives of the executive authorities, the scientific community and the public. "Openly and publicly begin the process of discussing the future of the administrative and territorial structure of the Kharkov region.

Prepare a document to be approved by the regional council, and then sent to the government, the Verkhovna Rada. That the position of the region was taken into account when making the final decision on its administrative and territorial structure, "explained Chernov.

"If you simply draw a pencil on the map boundaries of future areas, such an administrative-territorial division will not be effective. However, we can already say that there should be more than three or four districts, but not twenty-seven, as now, "Chernov believes..

Source: STATUS QUO.