Coordination meeting with representatives of the VRU Committees and Research Service

On May 11, the USAID RADA: Next Generation Program organized a coordination meeting with representatives of parliamentary committees and the VRU Research Service to discuss the results of the study visit to the Austrian and Czech parliaments and further cooperation to improve the work of Ukraine's parliament.

In particular, the participants outlined the differences in the work of the committees of the Czech and Austrian parliaments, where legislative activity is mainly carried out at the level of factions, and much fewer laws are adopted during the session. At the same time, the colleagues agreed that the practices of the Austrians and Czechs in ensuring parliamentary openness and accountability could be helpful for strengthening the Verkhovna Rada capacity. For example, every taxpayer can enter the parliament building for a tour.

After active discussions, the USAID RADA: Next Generation Program and its partners, the Westminster for Democracy and the American Councils for International Education, developed recommendations for further work with the committees and the VRU Research Service. The efforts will be aimed at:

• developing effective mechanisms of interaction with the public;
• ensuring the openness of Ukraine's Parliament after the victory in russia's war;
• strengthening the oversight function of the committees and improving the legislative work;
• strengthening the European integration capacity of the VRU, in particular, by conducting training sessions on the approximation of legislation to EU law.

The participants also agreed to hold regular coordination meetings to record the cooperation progress and adapt it to the new needs of the Parliament.