The UKROP party expresses an outrage against force break-up of automobilists who took part in a rally under the Verkhovna Rada demanding to abolish onerous customs clearance rules for the used cars.
This was stated on September 7 during a press briefing in Parliament by the chairman of the political council of the “Ukrainian Association of Patriots – UKROP” Taras Batenko.
“It is sad to see that the authorities do not find any alternative dialogue, except for a force method of fight against civic activists. Our political party, on its behalf and on behalf of the civic activists who could not enter the Verkhovna Rada, expresses an outrage,” said Taras Batenko.
The MP has noted that today the automobilists’ rights in Ukraine are violated, as the authorities began real persecution of the owners of vehicles with foreign registration. At the same time, in his almost one and a half-hour annual address to the Verkhovna Rada the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, has mentioned almost all the bills that are being debated in Parliament, but did not say a single word about the problem that affects millions of citizens, said the representative of UKROP.
He has also recalled that almost half a year ago, the MPs from the “Ukrainian Association of Patriots” registered in the Verkhovna Rada the bills №5561 and №5562, which can solve the problems of the automobilists who are now forced to rally under the walls of Parliament. The authors of the documents propose to abolish the Euro-5 standard envisaged by the current legislation and to introduce an obligatory technical inspection of vehicles, as it is many countries of the European Union. In addition, the bills stipulate extension of the preferential customs clearance of cars by 2020 and the abolition of the norms on the year of issue and the number of imported vehicles. The bills had been approved by several parliamentary committees, but were blocked by the profile committee on tax and customs policy.
“In order to get customs clearance for a foreign car in Ukraine you should pay about 40% of its value. While at the same time, for example, the duty on the import of chocolate manufacturing equipment is 0%, the import duty on cocoa beans and cocoa powder is 0%. This is the answer, by which the authorities are demonstrating how they want to be engaged in a dialogue with society,” said Taras Batenko.
The MP has also noted that the bills on the so-called automobile visa-free regime are not the only UKROP’s initiative aimed at solving real problems of the Ukrainians. The UKROP members also insist on the adoption of the law on military duties, which provides its intended use for enhancing Ukraine’s defense capacity. In addition, the “Ukrainian Association of Patriots” proposes to oblige regional gas companies, whose tariffs include the cost of installing gas meters, to do it for free. Besides, according to Taras Batenko, the Verkhovna Rada should also as soon as possible adopt the bill, which strengthens responsibility for pollution of water reservoirs.
