Raisa Bogatyrova, Deputy, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; Head, Parliamentary Faction, Party of Regions; Coordinator, Parliamentary-Governmental Coalition; Dmytro Svyatash, Deputy and Vice-Chairman, Financial and Banking Committee, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine



Since gaining independence in 1991, Ukraine has been an emerging democracy that is often embroiled in political conflict. In recent years, improved economic growth and greater integration into the global economy have made Ukraine an increasingly attractive destination for foreign direct investment.



In the spring of 2007, however, a new political crisis emerged in Ukraine with a standoff between the government, parliament and the president following a presidential decree to dissolve the parliament. After intense negotiations between that Anti-Crisis Coalition, which was led by the Party of Regions, and the president of Ukraine, a tentative agreement was reached to hold early parliamentary elections on September 30, 2007.



Raisa Bogatyrova, Deputy, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; Head, Parliamentary Faction, Party of Regions; Coordinator, Parliamentary-Governmental Coalition, will discuss policy options that are facing Ukraine in the near future.