Victor Yushchenko has been presented with Die Quadriga for “the promotion of democracy” by His Highness Prince Aga Karim Khan IV, last year’s recipient of this prestigious award, according to the President`s press-office.
In his speech, the President said he appreciated the prize “as a manifestation of respect for the people of Ukraine and a token of support of their desire for freedom and democracy.” He said the award ceremony symbolically coincided with the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, which made the world reconsider the magnitude and mission of Europe. He opined that Ukraine’s declaration of independence and the Orange Revolution were the continuation of this process.
Mr. Yushchenko said the Orange revolution was not a “static phenomenon, for the processes it initiated are still developing.” He said the greatest challenge facing our country was unity.
The Head of State declared it was incumbent on him to make sure that “Ukraine continues living a democratic life.”
“Ukraine will never turn back to authoritarianism. I am the President, and I am and will be the guarantor of the irreversibility of democratic reforms in my country, the promotion of civil society and the rule of law, and, of course, the fulfillment of Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic ambitions,” he said.
