President Viktor Yanukovych's Inauguration address to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

Viktor Yanukovych: I want to tell the people of Ukraine, that all my promises to them will be kept

Inauguration address,

Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

25.02.2010

Dear Members of Parliament,

Dear compatriots!

I have just been sworn in as the President of Ukraine. What did I feel as my hand rested upon the Holy Peresopnytsia Gospel?

I felt responsibility and abidness. Before the people of Ukraine, which in the free expression of their will have given the majority of their votes to my candidacy. Before the Almighty, through Whom I will now assume the office of the President of Ukraine during such difficult times.

The elections are over. The whole world has recognized that they were democratic. The Ukrainian nation has spoken, and the international community has reaffirmed that Ukraine is a free state, where the rights and freedoms are most highly valued, and where the people's choice cannot be questioned by any manifestations of someone's ill will.

The latter is particularly important given the young age of our democracy and the problems in its development that are so hard to avoid in the process of establishing a state.

Nevertheless, we have passed this important exam with dignity and now we turn the page of 2010 presidential election. With this turn of the page the next period of our history begins.

The situation in the country is very difficult. There is no state budget for the current year, foreign debts are huge, there is poverty, the economy is in ruins, there is corruption. This list of troubles that are the Ukrainian reality is far from complete.

Yet, I do believe that not only can we save the state from the social and economic collapse, but we can quickly put it on the path of accelerated development. But for the confidence in myself, in the strength of my team and the power of the Ukrainian people, I would have never run for President's office.

I know what to do and how to do it.

First, we must restore the system of effective governance. We must quickly establish a competent executive power that will immediately proceed to manage the most affected sectors of the economy and the social sphere. The primary objective here is to reform the system of government and, first of all, the Cabinet of Ministers. We need to transform it into a team of professionals, and not "political waiters". In this regard, I urge the Parliament to support my efforts to create a transparent, effective and accountable system of government, which will be able to work in concert with the President.

I wish to emphasize: I see the Parliament playing a special role in reforming the public administration. The Parliament is a place for discussion. It is a place for a strong opposition, which should control the actions of the Government and the President. But most importantly, it is the place for a strong and stable parliamentary majority.

If we fail to overcome the existing political disputes for the sake of saving the country, if we fail to cleanse our hearts of the poison of hatred generated by vanity and selfishness, our country will be doomed to continue wandering in the twilight of a political and socio-economic labyrinth.

Mutual rejection due to failure of one force and victory of another force is not only destructive from the point of view of state interests, but is deeply immoral. Because it is said in the Bible: "Make your peace with your adversary quickly, while you are still on the road with him...". Life has confirmed this simple and obvious truth: people do not like being shown bear fists. They tend to put their trust more in those, who offer their hand as a sign of peace. So I appeal to all members of the Parliament with a call to cooperate for the sake of Ukraine.

Such cooperation will be crucial for the effective reform of government, justice, and amending the Constitution. Today the state is controlled by the structure, "sewn" for the purposes of individual politicians. The same can be said about justice, and many other important areas of Ukrainian society. We must change the status quo. The structure of all branches of power should serve to achieve a common goal – the rapid adoption of necessary state laws and their rapid implementation. And we should equally take care to protect the legitimate interests of ordinary people, ordinary citizens, the middle class, intellectuals and businessmen.

Effective cooperation between the President, the Parliament and the Government will clear the way for rapid economic progress. Additionally, the resolution of this problem will not only permanently eliminate poverty. It will also unite the country. People tend to politicize certain issues of spirituality mostly when they are in a state of permanent financial instability. In economically developed countries the likelihood of internal conflict due to the difference in cultural traditions of a region is ten times lower than in economically backward states.

Ukraine should choose the right strategy for long-term development. Many of our problems are caused by the fact that instead of moving towards a post-industrial society of the XXI century, we chose the path of initial accumulation of capital, i.e. so-called "wild capitalism". Accordingly, we will be able to compete successfully in today's world only if turn to the development of high-tech science industries: modern technologies of production, accumulation and the use of scientific advancements.

I understand that it is extremely difficult to catch up with industrially developed countries. However, it is possible. To do this, Ukraine needs a strategy of progressive innovation, and our team has such a strategy. It involves the development and state support of a small number of priority areas, where we can take our rightful place in the international distribution of labor. This does not mean strengthening the role of the state in economy, but rather government's participation in the establishment of effective market mechanisms. I am convinced that direct state influence on the economy, its manual control is a road to nowhere.

The prerequisites for the renewal of investors' and international financial institutions' confidence in Ukraine are ensuring political stability, fighting corruption, establishing clear and, most importantly, permanent rules of relations between the state and business. Providing the first two conditions will be particularly difficult process, but I have enough political will to put them into practice.

As President, I have a clear idea of what kind of foreign policy corresponds most closely with the national interests of Ukraine today. Being a bridge between East and West, an integral part of Europe and the former Soviet Union at the same time, Ukraine will choose a foreign policy that will allow our country to get the most out of the development of equal and mutually beneficial relations with Russia, the European Union, the United States and other countries that influence development in the world. In my opinion, the challenges faced by the international community dictate the need to unite as closely as possible. Humanity, including Ukraine, needs the EU in a global sense. By the EU I mean “Earth Unity” as a force capable of guaranteeing the peaceful coexistence of various civilizations of the world along with energy, environmental and food security. We are ready to participate in such processes as a European country that is not part of any alliance. I intend to suggest this concept to the Parliament to develop the foundations of a foreign policy for Ukraine, and I hope the highest legislative body will support me.

Assuming the office of President of Ukraine, I want to tell the people of Ukraine, that all my promises to them will be kept. We will pay the arrears of wages and pensions, something the current Government has never managed to do. Given the dire situation in public finances, we will do this by reducing the costs of bureaucratic system. We will start with ourselves. One of my first decrees as the President of Ukraine will be to reduce spending on the Presidential Secretariat and other structures that support its work.

Dear Members of Parliament!

Dear compatriots!

I have always put deeds above words and in my new office I shall not abandon this rule. Work and results for the benefit of my Motherland is my credo, with which I take up my duties in this new office.

I count on your support, as well as the support of international community that wishes to see our country strong and stable.

And God help us in this righteous endeavor!

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Viktor Yanukovych delivers inagural address at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. February 25, 2010

President Viktor Yanukovych's Inauguration address to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

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