Rada fails amendments to law on NSDC

Tuesday, December 23, 2014 - 12:35 (EET) Section: Latest news

People’s deputies did not accept the second reading of the presidential amendments to the bill No.1343 “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine,” which improves coordination and monitoring of national security and defense.
223 deputies voted for this decision.
Then the deputies sent the bill to the relevant committee to prepare a second reading.
The purpose of the bill is to bring current legislation in the field of national security and defense in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, and to improve legal support of the National Security and Defense Council.
In the event of early termination of powers of the President, who is chairman of the National Security and Defense Council, the duties of head of the Security Council rests with the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (previously – the Prime Minister).
In addition, the powers of the National Security and Defense Council are expanding. Thus, the article on the competence of the NSDC is supplemented with the norm that according to the functions, defined by this law, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine decides on “urgent measures to resolve the crisis situations that threaten the national security of Ukraine”.
The NSDC will also receive the right to co-ordinate and monitor the activities of executive authorities in the sphere of national security and defense, and submits to the President appropriate conclusions and suggestions.
The NSDC will be engaged in coordination and control of executive authorities in combating corruption, ensuring public safety and fighting against crime.
Organization of the Supreme High Command in case of its formation is added to the authority of the NSDC head.
By law, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine is a legal entity.
Decisions of the National Security and Defense Council, enacted by decrees of the President of Ukraine, are binding on executive authorities.