Zelensky submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a bill on the new status of the English language

Today, June 28, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted to the Verkhovna Rada bill No. 9432 On the use of English in Ukraine, which provides for the official consolidation of the status of English as one of the languages ​​of international communication in Ukraine.

The document proposes to define categories of positions, work for which mandatory knowledge of the English language will be provided.

The project provides for the standardization of the use of English in the work of state and local authorities, local government, units of emergency assistance to the population, when crossing the border, in the field of education, culture, transportation, care of the health, etc.

The explanatory note to the bill states that English is now the de jure official language in 58 of the world’s 196 countries, and de facto in many other countries (Bangladesh, Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives , Sri Lanka, UAE ), and is also one of the six languages ​​of the United Nations, an official language of the European Union, Council of Europe, European Commission, European Free Trade Association and NATO.

It was noted that Ukraine has the status of a candidate member of the European Union, but remains separated from the EU by a language barrier, lagging behind in the readiness of its citizens to communicate in a foreign language, especially in English.

“Changing the status of the English language in Ukraine is a necessity and a strategic step towards the full membership of our state in the EU, because knowledge of the English language is a key competence in the context of globalization changes,” said document. .

Requirements regarding compulsory knowledge of English are established for persons applying for the positions:

public service category “A”;

civil service categories “B” and “C”, the list of which is established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine;

chairmen of local state administrations, their first representatives and representatives;

servicemen of official corps undergoing military service under a contract, the list of which is established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine;

middle and senior police officers of the National Police of Ukraine, positions of chief staff of other law enforcement agencies, positions of chief staff of the civil protection service, the list of which is established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine;

prosecutors;

to tax and customs authorities, the list of which is established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine;

heads of business entities of the public sector of the economy, the list of which is established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

The draft law states that the need for English proficiency can be established by the subject of appointing candidates for positions in local governments (except for elected positions), whose main duties are includes the performance of duties for international cooperation.

Recall that the government of Ukraine developed a bill on the functioning of the English language as the language of international communication in August of last year.