Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy Serhiy Tyhypko answered questions posed by MPs at the latest government hour session held at this morning's plenary sitting of the Ukrainian Parliament. He initially answered questions submitted in writing in advance by MPs from the opposition Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc and Our Ukraine People's Self-Defence Bloc factions. Afterwards, opposition MPs as well as those from the ruling coalition had the opportunity to ask questions verbally.

The Ukrainian Parliament has passed a bill in its second and final readings amending the law (No 6659) on the National Bank of Ukraine, extending the tenure of NBU governor by two years and, in so doing, up to seven years in total. It was supported by 256 out of 430 MPs registered in the session.

Five more opposition MPs have joined the ruling parliamentary coalition. The news was announced at this morning's plenary sitting of the Ukrainian Parliament by parliamentary speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn.

The Ukrainian Parliament today voted to hold a plenary sitting on Saturday. A total of 238 MPs voted in favor.

The Ukrainian Parliament today adopted a draft bill (№4177) on changes in the first reading to the Constitution of Ukraine on the term in office of local councils and heads. A total of 396 MPs voted in favor.

The Ukrainian Parliament today approved budget cuts by adopting changes to the law "On the 2010 State Budget of Ukraine "(No 6673). A total of 256 MPs voted in favor. A few hours earlier the same bill had failed to receive the necessary minimum of 226 votes. The government has proposed cutting the 2010 deficit by more than $2 billion to 4.99% of gross domestic product from 5.3% of GDP by reducing expenditure on investment programs in agriculture, the coal sector and other sectors. The proposed cuts also affected the State Pension Fund and the Defence Ministry.

The Ukrainian Parliament today voted in favor ratifying a treaty between Ukraine and Russia on the demarcation of the Ukrainian-Russian state border. A total of 347 MPs out of the 425 registered in the parliamentary session hall voted in favor of adopting the law.