OREANDA-NEWS. October 14, 2010. Miners' settlements legally will be brought to a separate group of territories that are recognized as depressed. The changes in the Law of Ukraine "On stimulation of regional development" approved at meeting of the Governmental Committee on regional and social policy, construction, housing and human development. The Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Viktor Tikhonov announced this. He noted that the recognition of the mining towns as blighted areas would solve the existing socio-economic and environmental problems arising from the liquidation of coal enterprises.

Changes to the law, as the official stated, defines the program for overcoming depression of areas as a regional goal programme that has a state significance.

Viktor Tikhonov informed that amendments to the Law "On stimulation of regional development" defined the concept of "mining towns." "These are the settlements in which territory since 1996 coal mines were eliminated, but measures to address socio-economic and environmental issues related to this project envisaged elimination of these enterprises were not fully implemented" – the Vice Prime Minister said.

He added that the redistribution of powers between the Ministry of Regional Development and Ministry of Economy is previewed concerning recognition of depressed areas and development of programs to address the states of depressed areas. Functions of the coordination of the elaboration of agreements on regional development from the Ministry of Economy will be handed toMinistry of Regional Development.