Poroshenko enacts NSDC decision on defense financing

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has enacted the decision by the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to increase spending on Ukraine's national security and defense in 2017.

The respective decree, No. 183/2017 of July 11, has been posted on the website of the head of state.

"To bring into force the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of July 10, 2017 'On urgent measures to finance the needs of the national security and defense of Ukraine in 2017,'" the document reads.

NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov has been entrusted with exercising control over the implementation of the decision.

This decree comes into force on the day it is published.

According to the decision of July 10, the Cabinet of Ministers should submit to the Verkhovna Rada proposals for amending the state budget regarding the introduction of additional budget allocations for the Defense Ministry, the National Guard, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Defense Ministry, the Administration of the State Special Transport Service of Ukraine, the National Police, the Administration of the State Border Service, the State Emergency Service, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Administration of the State Special Communications Service of Ukraine, the State Guard Department, and the Justice Ministry.

The government should draft and approve by September 15, 2017 the programs related to improving the country's defense capability and security, which are being implemented through the attraction of loans under state guarantees by economic entities - residents of Ukraine.

In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers was ordered to work out by September 1 the issue of reforming the penitentiary system of Ukraine.

As reported, the National Security and Defense Council, at a meeting on July 10, recommended that the Ukrainian government increase spending on the security and defense sector by an additional UAH 3 billion.

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