Poroshenko Signs Law on Diplomatic Service

Photo from Ukrinform–UATV

President Petro Poroshenko has signed the law on diplomatic service, which was adopted by the Ukrainian parliament on June 7.

He said that he sincerely believes that today a Ukrainian diplomat is as important as a soldier.

“An effective diplomatic service is what the state needs today. I am convinced that the new law on diplomatic service will make our domestic diplomatic service an advanced, efficient, armed, protected and European one,” the head of state said.

 The document aims at establishing new legal and organizational bases for the functioning of diplomatic service as a special service of the state. It emphasizes the role of diplomats in the implementation of Ukraine’s foreign policy, the protection of national interests in the sphere of international relations, as well as protecting the rights and interests of citizens and legal entities overseas.

According to Poroshenko, the old version was adopted in 2001, so it does not reflect the current situation in the country

The Verkhovna Rada approved the law on April 5 by 276 votes. On April 27, Poroshenko vetoed the document. On June 7, the Rada adopted a new version of the law, taking into account the proposals submitted by the president.