In an address to the newly elected Verkhovna Rada, Victor Yushchenko has stated that Ukraine’s future government should consist of professionals that work as one team to ensure the country’s development on the basis of European values and are capable of consolidating the nation, stimulating economic reforms and protecting human rights, according to the President’s press-office.
He congratulated the deputies on being elected and wished them success but said, “Being responsible for the country, the President will now have one of the leading roles in the process to form a government.”
The Head of State also urged the parliamentarians to hold a swearing-in ceremony to convene Ukraine’s Constitutional Court.
The President then said the above-mentioned requirements determined a few major directions for the cabinet.
First, they should improve the system of government in Ukraine to make the interaction of governmental agencies rational and effective. Their stronger autonomy, self-government and administrative reform are among the most important priorities, he added.
“I have always been a supporter of European political traditions. I believe that adequate and pragmatic political reform, which will be based on Ukrainian political traditions, will only strengthen its strategic advance. I am convinced it will only be possible when we change the constitution,” he said.
Second, it is important to develop the system of legal institutions in order to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, “for the citizens of Ukraine are still unprotected against injustice and arbitrariness.”
“This explains why our society expects the parliament to pass new laws ensuring radical judicial reforms,” he said.
Third, the government must create favorable conditions for an economic breakthrough. He opined that Ukraine needed “a new philosophy of economic policies.” Mr. Yushchenko said there were a few “springs” that could make the economy grow. We should profoundly change the whole economic structure, use modern technologies, save resources, liberalize basic pricing mechanisms, and continue introducing social reforms. The Chief of State said this kind of philosophy “will make GDP grow by not less than five per cent annually, which is important to successfully carry our ambitious social programs.”
Fourth, the government must spare no effort to reunite the nation by building a common humanitarian space absorbing our lingual and cultural diversity. “We must build an authentic system of values based on our heritage and European traditions,” he said.
The President reiterated that it was unacceptable to divide Ukraine but described regionalism as “an integral element of the national formation.”
“Each Ukrainian land is unique. But we must not split and weaken the country,” he said.
When speaking about the language issue, the President said the government should make sure both the Ukrainian language and languages of national minorities develop in the country.
Addressing representatives of all branches of government, Victor Yushchenko said: “Our society expects you to harmoniously interact and achieve results that will make the country and its people confident and secure.”
