Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada approves new govt

MOSCOW. July 17 (Interfax) - The Verkhovna Rada has approved the new composition of the Ukrainian government at a request of newly appointed Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko, Ukrainian media reported on Thursday.

Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation Mikhail Fedorov has been appointed first deputy prime minister. Former Deputy Economy Minister and Ukrainian Trade Representative Taras Kachka was named new deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

Former Ukrainian First Deputy Economy Minister Alexei Sobolev became head of the Joint Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture. Former First Deputy Finance Minister Denis Ulyutin headed the Joint Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine.

A number of officials from the previous government remained in the renewed government, but in new positions. In particular, German Galushchenko headed the Justice Ministry (previously, he was energy minister), and Svetlana Grinchuk headed the Energy Ministry (previously, she was minister of environmental protection and natural resources).

Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction and Minister of Community and Territories Development Alexei Kuleba, Finance Minister Sergei Marchenko, Interior Minister Igor Klimenko, Education and Science Minister Oksen Lisovoi, Health Minister Viktor Lyashko, Youth and Sports Minister Matvei Bedny, and Minister of Veterans' Affairs Natalya Kalmykova retained their posts.

The Ukrainian president nominates candidates for defense minister and foreign minister. Andrei Sibiga will head the Foreign Ministry.