On Friday, 24 February, at a strategic meeting on decentralisation in the system of the Ukrainian road facilities management, there was defined the matrix of the reform, operational objectives and tasks until 2020. The session was initiated by the Ministry of Regional Development jointly with the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Finance, representatives of the Project Office for Sectoral Decentralisation, the EDGE Project, and the USAID-funded DOBRE Project.

The presented Concept determines optimal ways of reforming the system of public road system management on the basis of a harmonious combination of decentralisation principles and centralised management of road facilities, expansion and enhancement of responsibility of local bodies of executive power for the management of local motor ways.

The Concept clearly defines the results to be achieved in the course of reform implementation in this area. In particular, they include ensuring the efficient operation of motor ways; development of transport infrastructure in order to ensure carriage of goods and road safety; introduction of independent quality control of roads; enhancement of competitiveness of regions and their raw materials potential; ensuring interregional cooperation development; ensuring proper conditions for the development of regions and successful implementation of structural reforms at the regional level; participation of public in resolving the most urgent local issues.

Thus, there was developed the progress chart for further advancement of the decentralisation reform in the system of road facilities management and active participation of regions, cities, and communities in the process.

It is a reminder that Vice-Prime Minister - Minister of Regional Development, Construction and Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine Hennadii Zubko emphasised that the key objective of the decentralisation in 2017 was the sectoral advancement of reforms in the areas of education, health care, culture, administrative services provision, land relations, road infrastructure, and territory planning.

Also, there were earlier held strategic sessions on the development of proposals for the Government's action plan for 2017 with respect to the decentralisation reform and determination of priorities in the construction industry, culture area, as well as the "local budgets" area.