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[] The International Centre for Policy Studies is an independent research organization whose mandate is to promote the concept of public policy and related processes as a guarantee of effective democracy in Ukraine and other post-soviet countries [ advertise with us ] This Week’s Topic How land issues are solved using public policy in Kyrgyzstan For several years now, the International Centre for Policy Studies has been actively involved in the process of establishing public policy methods in postsoviet countries. A project called “From a Strong Electorate to Strong, Transparent SelfGovernment,” carried out in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan with the support of ICPS methodology, has been one of the success stories in public policy formats Read more »» Expert comment Overly restrictive grain export quotas will cause business losses An 11 October 2006 Cabinet Resolution has instituted an overall 1.6mn tonne export quota on all kinds of grain until the end of the year. With this quota, the Government is trying to limit the export of grain in order to supply the domestic market. This year, world grain prices have jumped considerably because of a poor worldwide harvest and reduced grain reserves. As a result, it is currently more convenient to export wheat then to sell it internally on the Ukrainian market. For instance, DerzhReserv purchasing prices for 3rd grade wheat are UAH 775–800/t and 4th grade is UAH 675–680/t, while the price for wheat under futures contracts signed 9 October 2006 for December 2006 delivery on US commodity exchanges was US $181.60–195.60/t. Yevhenia Akhtyrko Read more »» Parliamentary Opposition in Great Britain: Lessons for our Verkhovna Rada The British experience of parliamentary opposition cannot easily be “transplanted” to transitional democracies. After all, the UK system developed over hundreds of years and is strongly grounded in tradition. Still, the most central lesson for Ukraine is the importance of a good, daytoday working relationship between a Government and opposition parties, argues Duncan Hiscock, international consultant to the ICPS director. For this reason, changes to Ukrainian legislation, such as a new Law on the Opposition, are only a partial solution. First of all, more thought should be put into how to establish the conditions for constructive cooperation between the Government and its opposition. Read more »» New publication Ukraine’s policy to control illegal migration This White Paper proposes an alternative,independent vision of state policy for controlling illegal migration in Ukraine. This is the final report from the “Improving the Implementation of Migration Policy by Disseminating EU Experience with Readmission Treaties” Project. This document also contains recommendations for institutional reform, legislative changes, and drawing on technical assistance, as well as proposals for specific polices and programs in migration control and border management. The report also proposes responses to challenges associated with signing a Readmission Treaty with the EU: recommendations on creating conditions for the detention of illegal migrants, ensuring them legal protection, and carrying out identification and expulsion procedures. Moreover, this paper also lays out reforms that are needed to improve the effectiveness of Ukraine’s migration policy: reforms in the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and the judiciary. Read more »» Alexander Kwasniewski is the new Chair of the ICPS Supervisory Board On 12 July, Alexander Kwasniewski became the new Chair of the ICPS Supervisory Board. President of the Republic of Poland for two terms, Mr. Kwasniewski is a politician of world stature who has always defended Ukrainian interests. In his introductory speech to the Centre’s Supervisory Board, Mr. Kwasniewski assured his audience that he would continue to work as Ukraine’s advocate. The Centre, for its part, is confident that with Mr. Kwasniewski as Chair, ICPS will be able to raise its profile in international circles and intensify its activity in the area of Eurointegrational processes. Read more »» Prospects for Deep Free Trade between Ukraine and the EU Although it is the easiest alternative in terms of implementation, a simple Free Trade Agreement that cancels tariffs on goods in addition to the conditions of WTO accession would bring very few advantages to Ukraine—and even fewer to the EU. On the contrary, although it will definitely be harder to institute, a deeper accord on Free Trade with the EU, the FTA+, could form the basis for an economic strategy that would ensure rapid growth in Ukraine. Read more »» ICPS News November 20, 2006 Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of local party platforms October 17, 2006 International conference “Intensified Ukraine–NATO Cooperation: Challenges and Benefits of Accession to the Membership Action Plan” News archive »» Expert comment October 19, 2006 Overly restrictive grain export quotas will cause business losses August 21, 2006 Ukraine needs a new approach to SEZs August 3, 2006 Viktor Yushchenko—Ukraine’s Lincoln Comments archive »» New on Site December 4, 2006 ICPS Newsletter No. 344 (December 4): How land issues are solved using public policy in Kyrgyzstan November 28, 2006 The Black Sea region: Security includes environmental issues November 23, 2006 Consumer mood is slightly less pessimistic (press-release) November 22, 2006 Ukraine and European neighbourhood policy: ensuring the free movement of goods and services (Olga Shumylo’s paper) November 21, 2006 Foreign Investment via FTA (Borys Bordiuh’s article in The Ukrainian Journal of Business Law) I wish to receive this web site updates to the following address: Postal: vul. 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