Volodymyr Groysman emphasised in the openings speech that the reform of local self-government was one of the key reforms for Ukraine. "The question is to create algorithms of amalgamated communities which are able to provide high-quality services to people. I would like to express my admiration for each leader of the local community who ran in the elections," the speaker noted.  He believes that the Ukrainian Parliament does not and will not stay away from the problems of territorial communities.

"You and I have to offer a model, and this model is actually operating, the model of renewal of the Ukrainian village, recovery of the national economy," he stated addressing the representatives of territorial communities, bodies of local self-government, executive authorities, and international partners.

V. Groysman reminded that 159 territorial communities had amalgamated in the course of 100 days in Ukraine. A separate governmental grant in the amount of UAH 1 billion is provided for the assistance of amalgamated territorial communities, he noted.

The speaker of the Parliament emphasised that the issue of the capability of governmental authorities, bodies of local self-government, and territorial communities is currently the key issue in Ukraine. "Today, the question is to establish amalgamated communities which will be capable of providing high-quality services to those who elect them," he remarked.

V. Groysman underlined that the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) had defended the financial decentralisation in the State Budget for 2016. "It was the Ukrainian Parliament that passed resolutions and more resolutions thus allowing both to develop draft laws and adopt such laws. And, consequently, our meeting is the evidence of the fact that the Parliament is not staying away from the processes going on," he noted.

 According to Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Regional Development, Construction, and Housing and Utilities of Ukraine Hennadii Zubko, due to the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine, there was approved the budget that will allow to look forward self-confidently in terms of providing assistance to amalgamated territorial communities and having carried out the decentralisation of power.

"In addition to the concern for each citizen, the Government has provided for the expenditures to support local self-government in the form of subventions in the amount of UAH 1 billion. I invite all leaders of territorial communities to cooperate with the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction, and Housing and Utilities. We will consider the most prospective projects in terms of the strategy of local self-government development," he emphasised.

 Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office Holger Tausch noted that there existed cooperation of many international organisations in the course of implementation of ambitious projects in Ukraine. "The Ministry of Regional Development is our key partner in Ukraine. The reform of power decentralisation is one of the key reforms in terms of laying democratic fundamentals in your state. You have to adopt a law regarding the administrative-territorial system, and the decentralisation should be legitimized by making respective amendments to the Constitution," the speaker said.  According to him, the matter of decentralisation should be approached in a consolidated manner and prudently. "There also should be the financial decentralisation, and the citizens should become responsible for their communities. The success in this process will not come into being of itself and no changes will materialize fast. This issue requires efforts and persistence. The decentralisation is not the end in itself, but the main objective is to create opportunities for people to make progress and become wealthy," emphasised Holger Tausch.

Deputy Head of the Administration of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine Oleksandr Martynenko noted that the Verkhovna Rada not only created the legislative framework for local self-government but also established a close relationship with the top leaders of territorial communities. "We have established the Parliament Office for Self-Government as the service provider for leaders of local communities," he emphasised. According to the speaker, it is planned to hold meetings, round tables to resolve issues related to local communities.  O. Martynenko invited the leaders of local self-government to attach themselves to the work the Office where there is an access to the legislative framework, as well as the contact information required for work.