You're reading: Yanukovych may sign language law only after thorough analysis

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych intends to thoroughly analyze the law on the principles of state language policy before signing it, the president's representative in parliament, MP Yuriy Miroshnychenko, said at a press conference in Dnipropetrovsk on Tuesday.

According to him, at a meeting of leaders of parliamentary factions, the president said that he would not comment on the law until the document is submitted to him for signature.

Miroshnychenko also noted that the president intended to give the document for examination to his administration’s experts. They will also take into account the conclusions of the Venice Commission, which had analyzed the law.

“If this law is consistent with the Constitution and European standards, the president will be ready to sign it,” Miroshnychenko said.

At the same time, should there be any problems with the law, Yanukovych will take the appropriate steps, the envoy added.

As reported, the Ukrainian parliament voted on July 3 for a language law that allows more extensive use of the Russian language. Protest rallies started all over the country immediately after the vote. Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn and his deputy, Mykola Tomenko, submitted statements of resignation, but the lawmakers refused to consider the questions of their resignation.

Lytvyn also refused to sign the law, and the document cannot be signed by the head of state without the speaker’s signature.