Verkhovna Rada in mid-Nov to pass all bills needed to start talks on Ukraine's entry into EU - Rada deputy speaker

MOSCOW. Sept 26 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniyenko believes that in mid-November the Ukrainian parliament will pass all bills needed to start negotiations on the country's accession to the European Union.

"We have to take literally a few important steps to fulfill the seven conditions of the EU for starting talks on accession to the European Union [...] As for the dates, it will definitely take us the whole of October to accomplish these tasks, and we will near the full completion of this track in around mid-November. At least, it is as far as the Verkhovna Rada is concerned," Korniyenko said during a telethon on Monday.

In particular, the parliament will have to pass a media bill in the second reading, he said, expressing confidence that despite the fact the MPs have submitted more than 2,000 amendments ahead of the bill's second reading, a mutual understanding will be reached and no one, including the opposition, will delay its adoption.

"As regards the adoption of the bill of national minorities, it is currently being examined by the Council of Europe. We expect to receive a letter [a response] in the near future, and we will then continue moving along this track," Korniyenko said.

Before talks on Ukraine's accession to the EU may begin, the Verkhovna Rada also needs to adopt a bill on the constitutional procedure in the second reading, he said.