President Yanukovych says land reform laws should be passed by midyear

President Viktor Yanukovych said yesterday at a steering committee on economic reforms meeting laws on establishment of a land market and land cadastre should be passed in the first half of 2011 in order to take effect in 2012, according to local media reports. Earlier this month, the Rada voted down a law put forward by the opposition that would have extended the ban on the sale of agricultural land until 2015. According to law, the sale of agricultural land is possible after parliament adopts bills on establishing a land market and land cadastre. The moratorium on land sales has been in effect since 2002. Brad Wells: We observe what appears to be increasing momentum by the president and top brass from the executive branch on the land reform issue, which in our view supports legislative action on the initiative in 2011. In addition to the parliamentary vote earlier this month, Yanukovych and Prime Minister Mykola Azarov have both recently vouched their support for the cause, with Yanukovych calling the matter a ‘priority issue’ for 2011.