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Ukraine's parliament has postponed from April 1, 2010 until January 1, 2011 the enactment of laws on the principles of preventing and countering corruption and the responsibility of companies for corrupt offences. Ukraine's parliament has postponed from April 1, 2010 until January 1, 2011 the enactment of laws on the principles of preventing and countering corruption and the responsibility of companies for corrupt offences.

A total of 236 MPs out of the 366 registered in the parliament's session hall voted for amendments to the mentioned laws on Wednesday, March 10.

"The postponement of the enactment of the laws is required to eliminate drawbacks and improve the provisions of legislation in the sphere of preventing and combating corruption," reads an explanatory note to the document.

As reported, on June 11, 2009, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a package of laws aimed at fighting corruption.

The law on the principles of preventing and combating corruption introduces criminal, administrative, disciplinary and civil responsibility for corrupt activities and determines the subjects of responsibility. They include the president, Verkhovna Rada chairman, prime minister and government members, Security Service of Ukraine chief, prosecutor general, National Bank of Ukraine governor, Accounting Chamber head, MPs, and local council deputies.

The law on the legal responsibility of companies for corrupt activities foresees the responsibility of companies, their heads or founders, participants or other authorized individuals for corrupt offences. The effect of the law does not apply to companies of public law that are entirely funded from the state or local budgets, and also to international organizations.