President calls on officials for joint work on reform in SBU

The president stressed that while holding the position of first deputy head of the security service, Yakymenko proved that he was a responsible employee. Yanukovych also thanked Ihor Kalinin for his work as SBU chief, according to the presidential press service.

The head of state added that Kalinin as a presidential adviser will coordinate cooperation between the presidential administration, the National Security and Defense Council, law enforcement agencies and the Defense Ministry of Ukraine.

Yanukovych said that the implementation of various reforms would continue in Ukraine in 2013. A number of important steps will be taken in the law enforcement system, he said.

The president asked Yakymenko and Kalinin to work together on reform in the SBU. He said that all decisions on the issue should be professional, well-considered and effective.

“We will always take into consideration the opinion of professionals,” he said.

As reported, on January 9, 2013 Yanukovych dismissed Kalinin as SBU Chief and appointed him a presidential adviser.

Oleksandr Yakymenko was appointed as Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine, Before that he worked as first deputy head of the SBU and head of the SBU Main department for fight against corruption and organized crime.