Siusko M. Legal regulation of inter-municipal cooperation in Ukraine

The thesis paper examines the constitutional and legal issues of cooperation organizing among the municipalities in Ukraine. The development evolution of cooperation among the municipalities in Ukraine and the theoretical-methodological awareness of inter-municipal cooperation in national and foreign legal thought is analysed herein. It is proposed to periodize the development of inter-municipal cooperation in Ukraine depending on the development status of cooperation in a specific period, signs of municipalities' cooperation are highlighted and the author's definition of the concept of "cooperation of municipalities" is proposed. The forms and types of inter-municipal cooperation are studied. It is offered to divide inter-municipal cooperation depending on the level of formal approach and subject matter. Based on the study results of the legal framework for municpalities' cooperation in the European Union, it is proposed to introduce a permanent institution with the status of a separate legal entity in Ukraine, which will be the most organizationally integrated form of the inter-municipal cooperation. The analysis of successive stages of the procedure for organizing inter-municipal cooperation and subjects of initiating such cooperation are performed. Taking this into account, a number of scientific provisions, conclusions and offers were formulated to improve the legislative regulation of inter-municipal cooperation and a need for distinct programs to support development of cooperation among the municipalities by the regional councils.