Working group for improvement of language law to hold first meeting on Aug. 13

Ukrainian Vice Premier Raisa Bohatyriova on August 13 will hold a meeting on proposals to improve the legislation on languages of Ukraine, drawing up and approval of a state program for development of the Ukrainian language.

According to the press service of the Ukrainian government, the meeting will take place at the House of Government with the participation of a special working group that includes public activists, experts in the spheres of education, science and art, as well as leading language experts.

The law on the principles of the state language policy in Ukraine, which significantly broadens the use of the Russian language and other minority languages in the country, entered into force after its official publication on August 10.

The law was published in the Ukrainian parliament's official newspaper - Holos Ukrainy (the Voice of Ukraine) on August 10.

The law, authored by parliamentarians Vadym Kolesnichenko and Serhiy Kivalov from the Party of Regions, was adopted by parliament on July 3, triggering protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn refused to sign the law and submitted a letter of resignation. However, the Verkhovna Rada twice held votes of confidence in the speaker, and did not accept his resignation.

On July 31, Lytvyn signed the law on the principles of state language policy and sent it to the president for signature.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych signed the language policy bill into law on August 8 and ordered the cabinet to form a working group in charge of drawing up proposals to improve laws regulating the use of languages in the country. The group should include public figures, as well as prominent educational, scientific and cultural experts specializing in language issues.