Ukraine plans to simplify authorization procedures to expedite its reconstruction

MOSCOW. Jan 19 (Interfax) - Ukraine plans to harmonize its regulatory procedures with European Union standards as part of its accession to the EU promptly, probably within a year, but make exemptions from them for the period of the country's intensive reconstruction, which may take from five to ten years, deputy head of the Ukrainian president's Office Rostislav Shurma said.

"We ought to understand that, apart from accession to the EU, there will be a period of the country's intensive reconstruction over the next 5-7-10 years. And in order to make this reconstruction process fast, we need to simplify a large number of processes," Ukrainian media quoted Shurma as saying on Wednesday at a Ukrainian House event on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

For instance, a process to agree environmental norms during the construction of a new industrial enterprise or a power generating facility may take years in Europe, but Ukraine needs to finalize this process within a few months by adopting interim decisions, he said.

"For example, if you want to restore infrastructure, you will have to rebuild roads, bridges, power lines, which means that a land plot will have to be provided to you promptly. Obviously, there will be some temporary procedure for 5-7 years including very rapid and simplified alienation of land for infrastructure construction," Shurma said.

These temporary exemptions intended to facilitate Ukraine's prompt reconstruction will be agreed in advance, he added.