Today, a final meeting with the heads of city, town, and village councils took place at the Volyn Regional Music and Drama Theater, with the participation of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Volodymyr Lytvyn. \nThe meeting was attended by the head of the regional state administration, Anatoliy Frantsuz, the head of the regional council, Vasyl Dmytruk, people's deputies Ihor Yeryemeyev (APU), Kateryna Vashchuk (APU), Serhiy Shevchuk (NDP), Kateryna Fomenko (member of the APU, deputy group "People's Choice"), as well as the head of the Verkhovna Rada apparatus, Valentyn Zaichuk. \nThe meeting began 45 minutes late because, according to Volodymyr Lytvyn, the flight from Kyiv to Lutsk was delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions (fog). \nMore than 600 people took part in the meeting — heads of city, town, and village councils, regional and district deputies, employees of administrations at various levels, assistants to people's deputies, and media representatives. \nThe head of the Volyn Regional State Administration, Anatoliy Frantsuz, and the head of the regional council, Vasyl Dmytruk, reported to those present on the results of the region's economic management in 2003 and on the implementation of local budgets. In particular, attention was focused on the imperfection of the legislative framework for the activities of local self-government bodies. \nVolodymyr Lytvyn noted that he realistically assesses statistical reports and distinguishes them from the actual state of affairs both in Ukraine and in Volyn specifically. In his speech, Volodymyr Mykhailovych addressed the problems of agrarian reform, aspects of the Verkhovna Rada's activities, political reform, and the upcoming presidential elections. He also answered numerous questions from those present and promised to consider the requests of individual heads of local councils for additional funding for certain facilities in the region and to petition the Ministry of Finance. \nAt the conclusion of the final meeting, honorary certificates and valuable gifts from the Verkhovna Rada, the Volyn Regional Council, and the regional state administration were presented to some heads of local councils. \nAs part of his stay in Volyn, Volodymyr Lytvyn plans to visit a number of educational institutions, healthcare facilities, cultural monuments, and agricultural enterprises in the Horokhiv and Lutsk districts. However, this evening he plans to attend the creative report of Rivne Oblast, which will take place in Kyiv. \n