Parliament adopted in the final reading a bill to transfer the power to register and monitor noncommercial organizations from the Ministry of Justice to the Public Services Agency. Thus, the Agency will be empowered to register political parties, periodicals, news agencies, public associations, foundations, employers and trade union organizations, mediation institutions, religious denominations and their components, IPN reports.

Under the new provisions, the Ministry of Justice, within the limits set by special laws, will have the right to warn noncommercial organizations if deviations from the statutory provisions are identified and to notify the courts of law so that these suspend or liquidate noncommercial organizations if their activity runs counter to the legislation.

The period for registering a noncommercial organization was decreased from 30 to 15 days. Also, the Public Services Agency will register not only national and international public associations, but also local ones. The amendment is aimed at developing the principle of one-stop shop and at ensuring the supervision of legal entities.