Dear friends, guests and colleagues.
150 years ago Ukrainian prophet Taras Shevchenko said: fight – and you’ll win, truth is yours, as well as the will and the force.” This is perhaps one of the most significant events occurred I Ukraine lately.
You’ve just seen unique and maybe unexpected things on the screen. Millions of Ukrainians on Maidan in Kyiv defended their rights, their decency and justice. They demonstrated courage, patience and grace. They didn’t come to demand food, they needed freedom fro which sake they endured cold and hunger. They shared bread and warmness of their hearts with those coming to Maidan. Armed with confidence in their rightness only they won a victory over tyranny and lawlessness in a peaceful and gracious way. All the world applauded them. An modern Ukrainian nation arose before it. This victory belongs not only to my people. Ukrainians have proved that European values are shared by the people on the orange Maidan in Kyiv and the Velvet Warzlaw Square in Poland as well.
If we believe that human history is the history of freedom, Ukraine opens its third millennium. Ukraine has manifested its European values and belongs to the civilization of the European nations. We are no longer at the crossroads or at its margin. The European choice of Ukraine has taken part in the hearts and mind of the people. Today, I would like to address you on behalf of the free Ukraine. I became President by the will of the people who voted for freedom and democracy. And my chief goal is to fulfill their will. I represent one of the largest european nations. It is a nation with an educated population, a market size of 50 million people and is situated at the geographical heart of Europe. We have every reason to rank with the leaders of modern global world. My country has long been a wise and strong, but sleeping elephant. Today it is awakening to its potential. Democracy paves the way for the fulfillment of this potential. I am convinced the most desired market space in the world is being formed in Ukraine.
As long as in 2000 my government drove Ukraine to the economic growth. Then we had laid the basis for stable GDP growth that made 12.4% last year. We have good reason for the optimistic forecast.
However, lots of opportunities for economic growth were lost for the last years. It entailed the slowdown in Ukrainian economy and social standards were falling. Ukraine was imposed oligarchic model of economy, it retreated into the shadow inviting corruption. And it produced a natural reaction of investors. Direct investments in Ukraine are the lowest as compared with the other countries.
Now the time of missed opportunities is over, dear friends, and time of new opportunities has begun. Our goal is transforming Ukrainian economy into social market system and providing its stability. This is our principal strategic goal.
In order to achieve this goal we will take a series of moves such as: firstly, bringing the “shadow” economy out of the cold. Taxes to be reduced yet paid by everybody. In the near future benefits for the close circle to be cancelled and tax system to be transparent and stable.
Secondly, restoring macro-economic stability such as balanced budgets
Thirdly, tackling corruption, notably by clearly separating business from politics. My government will not be stealing, nor will local governments. We will remove unnecessary impediments and excessive regulation, which breeds corruption. Administrative reform will promote transparency of the government at all levels.
Fourthly, cementing judicial independence. We will strengthen the independence of judicial branch and complete Ukraine’s judicial reform. The court will be an efficient instrument for settling the conflicts.
And fifthly, drawing foreign investment via, for example, transparent privatizations. We take interest in coming of modern methods and culture of making business to Ukraine. We will encourage investors due to legal and economic mechanisms. Several days ago, by the way, the court ordered to arrest the assets of “Kryvorizhstal” – steel plant privatization of which arouses questions. We are determined to cooperate with our partners from different parts of the world to reach our goal.
Our next target is to accelerate Ukraine’s entry into the World Trade Organization
Ukraine stands for promotion of partnership with all neighbors both in the east and in the west. Ukraine is prepared to comprehensively develop partnership with the Russian Federation, pursuing our economic interests, advocating peace and stability across Europe. I am sure this approach has been appreciated and welcomed during my visit to Moscow.
'The Orange Revolution has paved the way to a new quality of our partnership with the united Europe.
Our third strategic target is Ukraine in the European Union. My country’s history, economy and interests clearly show that Ukraine’s way to the future is the way which is taken by the united Europe. Renewed Ukraine hopes for the backing of EU institutions, and recalls a vote by the European parliament on January 13 which called for my nation to be offered a clear European perspective with a view to joining the 25-nation bloc.
We welcome an EU commitment to intensify relations with Ukraine. We would like its purpose to be to open the EU door to our nation. The application for EU membership is intended to be filed in the near future.
I would like to emphasize that Ukraine may contribute greatly to the building of new united Europe. I will outline just some of these possibilities.
The first one. We offer to encourage our cooperation in providing security and stability, particularly in adjoint regions.
The second one. Ukraine is prepared to take more active part in pursuing the European policy of security and defense. Our contribution to the European Union’s peace-keeping efforts in Balkan countries has been estimated highly.
Ukraine is prepared to do its part for stable power supply in Europe and to expose its great transit potential. We are ready to start a dialogue on all energy issues at the highest level. We consider the engagement of partners from the EU states into the foundation of gas-transport consortium a prospect.
It goes without saying that my country to be a reliable partner of the EU in fighting against international terrorist and organized crime. I am convinced there is every opportunity to apply the formula “Prosperous Ukraine in successful united Europe.”
We are prepared to confirm our readiness for daily system work. I want every government decision to be a step forward on the path to EU membership. Introduction of Europe’s social, economic and political standards will be the alpha and omega of the new government’s activity.
I have a team capable to fulfill my plan. We have worked out a national strategy on European integration that will prompt Ukraine to meet criteria for EU entry. This strategy includes the experience gained by our neighbors. The new government will follow this strategy.
I have introduced a vice premier for European integration into the Cabinet in order to coordinate its actions. I anticipate convincing results of this move in the near future.
Dear friends, Ukraine sets about fulfilling its ambitious goals. Still I am confident they are realistic to my government and my nation. The will of Ukrainian people that freed their country the burden of the past makes them such. The will of Ukrainians, the free European nation, makes them such.
We watched reports from Maidan. There Ukrainian flags merged with those of all European countries, from Portugal to Poland. This is a look into the future. Ukraine opens the history of Europe in the third millennium.
I greet you on behalf of Ukraine. Welcome to Ukraine. Dear friends, it highly important at this historical moment not only to my country and my nation but to all Europe to support us now. I am addressing you as a President ,“Please help Ukraine, and quite shortly, you'll see a European, beautiful nation.”
Thank you.
