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17812 June 2002President's speech - 06.06.07
Speech of President of Ukraine
H.E. Viktor A. Yushchenko at the Meeting
with Diplomatic Corps Representatives
in Ukraine
Kyiv, June 6, 2007
Through the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Ukraine, I would like to express my gratitude to all our external partners - foreign states, international organizations and public circles - for their support in democratic settlement of the parliamentary crisis in our country.
In your presence here, I want to underline the following - there can be no upheavals that may ever doubt the importance of effective cooperation between the President, the Verkhovna Rada and the Government of Ukraine, as well as the judicial system. This is my initial principle.
The President was and will remain to be an advocate of European parliamentarism in our state.
Ukraine has got very close to finally settle the parliamentary crisis by means of the early election.
We understand that the current political situation is far from being standard; we understand the vulnerability of the political practice and constrained non-typical decisions aimed at settlement of the crisis.
The most important is the fact that the settlement process is going peacefully, in a democratic way, and within political and legal field. We are continuing the tradition of civilized resolution of the most complicated issues.
Our basic reference-point is in a stable, responsible and obliging political solution; the sufficient use of all the necessary legal procedures; creation of efficient protective tools against any repeated crises and their reasons for such dangerous precedents not to happen again.
The early election is a legitimate, democratic, and civilized mechanism, which contains no extraordinary political or legal traces.
Just briefly about how the whole situation developed:
In response to the systemic constitutional abuses on April 2, 2007, President of Ukraine decided to preliminarily suspend the authorities of the Parliament of Ukraine of the 5th Convocation (according to his duties under the Constitution).


To bring the situation out of the god-forsaken place, create additional conditions for reaching constructive agreements and provide sufficient preparation for the early election, the President issued a new decree on April 26th, 2007, which postponed the early election date.
On May 4l, 2007 (in the course of the meeting of the President with the Prime-Minister), the main political parties of the state recognized political and legal necessity of having early parliamentary election and agreed on setting up a working group for negotiations.
In response to the sharpened political situation, the President, the Head of the Parliament and the Prime-Minister of Ukraine reached principle agreements on final settlement of the crisis on May 27th, 2007, which were reflected in a Joint Statement.
My position is clear. The President rejects settlement of the conflict with any force applied and considers inappropriate to involve law-enforcement bodies in the political process; the President firmly insists on strict adherence to all the undertaken obligations by the political parties.
The Joint Statement of May 27th opened a new way for full-fledged settlement of the crisis. This document determined political and legal settlement mechanisms and was approved as the act that will be diligently followed by all the signers.
The Joint Statement anticipated joint responsibility of the three sides for its fulfilling.
In this context, the Head of State created conditions for time-just recommencement of the Parliament to approve all the agreed legislative decisions required for the election, promoted dialog and compromise between the majority and the opposition, and signed laws adopted by the Parliament (amendments to the electoral legislation, WTO package and other social and economic documents).
The sides agreed that the Parliament should suspend its authorities based on Article 82 of the Constitution of Ukraine. In other words, the Parliament does not have or loses its proxies when over one-third of deputies - 150 and more persons -failed to keep or lost their mandates.
About 160 people’s deputies of Ukraine have already resigned. Therefore, within the framework of the agreements, listings of Our Ukraine Party and Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc were zeroed creating no possibility for restoring the corresponding deputy quotas.
Thus, according to the decision of the Constitutional Court as of October 17E , 2002, the validity of the Parliament shall be suspended.
This is a basic political and legal conclusion of today.


Therefore, I want to concentrate your attention on the key conclusions.
Firstly. The agreement reached on May 27th is a stable political and legal decision that must be fulfilled completely.
Ukraine cannot lose the chance to get away from the crisis. The fact of the gained understanding emphasizes the sufficient potential of the leading political parties to find the independent way out from the most complicated crisis situations.
Secondly- The President rejects the attempts by some of the political players to brake the reached agreements.
Revisionist actions of certain representatives of the parliamentary majority are inadmissible. Continuing the work of the invalid parliament and lack of weighted declarations are counter-productive.
The responsibility for the broken agreements is exercised by the direction of the Parliament of the 5 Convocation. It seems that there’s another try to put us into resistance to safeguard posts and immunity for certain politicians.
Ukrainian society and our international partners should know those who never follow agreements creating major obstacles in settlement of the situation.
On behalf of Ukraine, I want to declare my official position - the Parliament of Ukraine of the 5* Convocation has lost its authority with the respective consequences under the international law.
I am asking you to deliver this verified fact to your capitals. From now, the people’s deputies of the 5th Convocation may only carry on fulfilling authorities that are not directly related to the authorities of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and its international representations.
Thirdly. In the course of the political agreements reached, on June 5l , I issued a decree to call the preliminary parliamentary election to take place on September 30 , 2007. The decree of May 26l shall be deemed as one that lost its validity.
My decision corresponds to the Constitution of Ukraine and is based on Article 82 of the Constitution and the corresponding decision by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine issued on October 17 \ 2002.
The decree is obligatory for execution. It states that the Central Electorate Commission of Ukraine shall provide necessary preparation and holding the preliminary parliamentary election within a 60-day period till September 30£ . The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is commissioned with providing funds for the election.

From the political standpoint, the issued decree additionally guarantees the full-fledged execution of all the agreements prior to the election.
The preliminary parliamentary election is a key for stabilizing the situation in the country, overcoming the existing political contradictions and creating necessary grounds for restoring and acceleration of economic, social and constitutional reforms.
This is a necessary vaccination for Ukrainian politicians against violations of the Constitution of Ukraine, political irresponsibility, feeling of immunity, impunity, as well as political corruption.
I want to- stress this again — that will be my principle initiative to deprive people’s deputies from their unlimited immunity.
The early election is the appeal to the will of the voters and strengthening of direct responsibility of politicians in the face of the citizens of Ukraine.
I firmly guarantee that the early election will be fair, democratic, and transparent, with a decent level of organization and in compliance with the international standards.
I flatly reject and will never allow any attempts of administrative pressure, any falsification or sabotage. Such attempts will bear criminal responsibility.
I’m officially inviting international spectators and observers to Ukraine.
Ukraine is grateful to all the international partners for their support and understanding. We highly value your contribution.
At the same time, Ukraine will assume any actions that can be interpreted as interference with internal issues unacceptable.
We rely on cooperation and partnership. I’m convinced that peaceful and democratic settlement of the parliamentary crisis in Ukraine will strengthen our domestic opportunities; it will give a new push to national development and with make the entire country stronger.
Thank you for your attention.

Speech of President of Ukraine
H.E. Viktor A. Yushchenko at the Meeting
with Diplomatic Corps Representatives
in Ukraine
Kyiv, June 6, 2007
Through the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Ukraine, I would like to express my gratitude to all our external partners - foreign states, international organizations and public circles - for their support in democratic settlement of the parliamentary crisis in our country.
In your presence here, I want to underline the following - there can be no upheavals that may ever doubt the importance of effective cooperation between the President, the Verkhovna Rada and the Government of Ukraine, as well as the judicial system. This is my initial principle.
The President was and will remain to be an advocate of European parliamentarism in our state.
Ukraine has got very close to finally settle the p
17708 June 2002Useful Links
USEFUL LINKS

1. OFFICIAL BODIES OF STATE POWER
www.president.gov.ua Official website of President of Ukraine
www.kmu.gov.ua Government portal
www.rada.gov.ua Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
www.cvk.gov.ua Central election commission of Ukraine
www.mfa.gov.ua Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
www.ukraine-nato.gov.ua „Ukraine-NATO”
www.ukraine-tipp.gov.ua Ukrainian Trade and Investment Promotion Portal
www.nceai.gov.ua National Centre of Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine
www.guam.org.ua Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM

2. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
ukraine3000.org.ua International Charitable Fund „Ukraine 3000”
www.ewi.org.ua EastWest Institute Kyiv Centre
eu.prostir.ua Pro-EU Civil Society of Ukraine Portal „European space”
www.icps.kiev.ua International centre for policy studies
www.ucipr.kiev.ua Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research
www.uceps.org.ua Olexander Razumkov Ukrainian Centre for Economic and Political Studies
www.dif.org.ua Fund „Democratic initiatives”
www.europexxi.kiev.ua Europe XXI Foundation
www.fri.org.ua/ua Fund „Regional Initiatives”
www.deputat.org.ua Member of Parliament Information and Analitical Portal
www.pravo.org.ua Centre for Political and Legal Reforms
www.cpe.org.ua Center for Political Education
www.eru.org.ua Institute for regional and euro-integration studies „EuroRegio Ukraine”
www.franko.lviv.ua/rasd/index.htm Carpathian euroregion
www.a-e-r.org Assembly of European Regions
www.eipf.kiev.ua European integration promotion foundation
www.ieac.org.ua Institute for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation (IEAC)
www.ea-ua.info „Euro-Atlantic Ukraine”

3. EDUCATION
www.mon.gov.ua Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine
www.ukma.kiev.ua National University of „Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”
www.univ.kiev.ua National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv
www.kneu.kiev.ua Kyiv National Economic University
www.ntu-kpi.kiev.ua National Technical University of Ukraine „KPI”
www.osu.odessa.ua National I.Mechnikov University of Odessa
www.chnu.cv.ua Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University
www.franko.lviv.ua Ivan Franko National University of L’viv
www.ukrtest.org Center for test technologies and education quality monitoring


4. BOOKS, LIBRARIES, LANGUAGE
www.nbuv.gov.ua The Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine
www.ukrcenter.com/library The Ukrainian Library. Ukrainian and world literature.
www.utoronto.ca/elul Electronic Library of Ukrainian Literature
www.poetyka.uazone.net POETYKA – Ukrainian poetry, translations, folk and pop songs
www.ukrlibworld.kiev.ua Ukrainian libraries
www.novamova.com.ua NovaMova. Educational and media Internet site about Ukraine and the Ukrainian language
www.mova.kreschatic.kiev.ua Lessons of the Ukrainian language
www.oomroom.ca Ukrainian Language Learning Resources for Students, Parents and Teachers
www.uabooks.info Ukrainian publishing industry portal
www.ulif.mon.gov.ua/ulp/dict_all Dictionaries of Ukraine (on-line)

5. CULTURE
www.mincult.gov.ua Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Ukraine
www.allculture.com.ua News on Ukrainian culture
culture.unian.net UNIAN-Culture

6. MUSIC, FESTIVALS, CONCERTS
www.opera.com.ua National Opera House of Ukraine
www.lvivopera.org The Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet
www.horowitzv.org International Competition for Young Pianists in memory of Vladimir Horowitz
www.ukrmusic.com.ua The Ukrainian music
www.music.com.ua News of music world
www.musicradio.kiev.ua „Music Radio”
www.umka.com.ua UMKA. The Ukrainian music on CDs.
www.pisni.org.ua Ukrainian songs. Collection of old and modern Ukrainian songs.

7. MUSEUMS
www.ukrmuseum.org.ua Ukrainian museum portal
www.heritage.com.ua Scientific and research institute „Ukrainian heritage”
www.histomed.kiev.ua The National Museum of Medicine of Ukraine
www.histomed.kiev.ua The Odessa Virtual Museum of Numismatic
www.lavra.kiev.ua Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
www.kplavra.kiev.ua „National Kyiv-Pechersk Historic and Cultural Preserve”
www.zolotoverh.org.ua Mykhaylivsky Golden plated Cathedral
www.sophia.org.ua National Reserve „Sophia of Kyiv”
www.tychyna.com.ua Pavlo Tychyna Museum

8. TOURISM
www.tourism.gov.ua State Service of Tourism and Resorts
www.greentour.com.ua Union for promotion of green tourism development in Ukraine
www.otpusk.com.ua Tourism, rest
www.ukrtravel.net The Ukrainian travel net
www.pogoda.com.ua Weather forecast
www.wek.kiev.ua Encyclopedia Kyiv
www.city-adm.lviv.ua /content/view/1/30/ „Historical center of L’viv”
www.lemko.org/atlas/atlas.html Ukrainian Road Map (in Ukrainian, English)
www.bigmir.net Maps of the Ukrainian Cities

9. SPORT
www.ffu.org.ua Football Federation of Ukraine
www.ua-football.com News of the Ukrainian football
www.champion.com.ua „Champion” all about sport
sport.oboz.ua Sportoboz

10. MASS MEDIA
www.unian.net News Agency „UNIAN”
www.ukranews.com News Agency „Ukrainian News”
www.interfax.kiev.ua News Agency „Interfax-Ukraine”
www.rbc.ua News Agency „RBK-Ukraine”
www.glavred.info „Glavred”
www.proua.com News Portal
www.zerkalo-nedeli.com „Zerkalo nedeli”
www.korrespondent.net „Correspondent”. Kyiv Post. Independence. Community. Trust.
www.bezcenzury.com.ua „Facts and Comments”
www.segodnya.ua „Segodnia”
www.kommersant.ua „Kommersant”, daily on-line
www.liga.net LIGABusinessInform – business portal of Ukraine
www.obozrevatel.com „Obozrevatel”
www.day.kiev.ua The Day Weekly Digest
www.podrobnosti.ua News Portal
www.grani.kiev.ua Weekly digest „Grani +”
www.daily.com.ua DailyUA – news portal
www.for-ua.com News Portal
www.kiyany.obozrevatel.com Kyiv on-line newspaper
www.finance.ua Financial news of Ukraine
www.umoloda.kiev.ua Daily newspaper „Ukraina Moloda”
www.delo.ua „Delo” – business portal
www.ukrinform.kiev.ua Ukrainian National News Agency UKRINFORM
www.ukrop.com.ua Ukrainian joint portal (UKROP)
www.pravda.com.ua „Ukrayinska Pravda”
www.mpravda.com „Youth Truth”
www.banner.kiev.ua Ukrainian banner net
www.maidan.org.ua Maidan – an Internet Hub for Citizens Action Network in Ukraine
www.era-fm.net Radio Era
www.for-ua.com ForUm: Breaking Ukrainian News
www.proua.com ProUA: online news

11. TV-CHANNELS
www.1tv.com.ua The First National TV-Channel
www.1plus1.net TV-Channel „1+1”
www.5tv.com.ua 5 kanal: First News Channel of Ukraine
www.ukrainatv.com TV-company „Ukraine”
www.inter.ua TV-Channel „INTER”
www.k1.tv TV-Channel „Ê1”
www.tonis.ua TV-Channel „TONIS”
www.topping.com.ua TV-Channel „STB”
www.ntn.tv TV-Channel „NTN”
www.novy.tv TV-Channel „Novy kanal”
www.ictv.ua TV-Channel „ICTV”
www.utr.tv State TV-company World service „UTR”
www.24tv.com.ua TV-Channel 24

12. JOB IN UKRAINE
www.rabota.com.ua Job, vacancies, employment in Ukraine
www.personal.com.ua Civilized labour-market
www.rabota-ua.com.ua Job in Kyiv
www.novarobota.ua Job search, vacancies





Ukrainian search site:
www.meta.ua
17529 May 2002Joint Statement
Press Office of President Victor Yushchenko
Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, May 27, 2007 (unofficial translation)

Joint Statement by the President of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada Speaker
and the Prime Minister on Urgent Measures Aimed at Resolving the Political
Crisis Through Early Parliamentary Elections

May 27, 2007

Being fully aware of the responsibility for the country’s social, political
and economic situation, guaranteeing that there will be no escalation of the
political crisis, seeking to immediately resolve it through exceptionally
nonviolent means and dialogue involving leading political forces, guided by
the Constitution of Ukraine and wanting to uphold the nation’s interests and
preserve the country’s unity, the sides have agreed to:

1. ensure that there are no attempts to aggravate the conflict in society
and prevent all possible actions provoking ’force’ scenarios;

2. hold an early parliamentary election on [Sunday] September 30, 2007;

3. accept that this election will be held in accordance with the President’s
decree based on paragraph 2 of article 82 of the Constitution of Ukraine;

4. hold plenary sessions of the Verkhovna Rada on May 29-30 to adopt and
enact the bills for conducting fair, transparent and democratic elections,
particularly:

[a] pass and enact the draft laws worked out by the authorized
representatives of the President of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers,
the parliamentary coalition and the parliamentary opposition;
[b] readopt the laws passed between April 2 and May 29, 2007;
[c] pass and enact the necessary WTO laws and other legal acts on
economic issues.

5. ensure that the Cabinet of Ministers and the Central Election Commission
oversee the implementation of the Law on the State Voting Register;

6. appoint new members of the Central Election Commission on the basis of
the agreements reached by the authorized representatives of the President
of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers, the parliamentary coalition and the
parliamentary opposition to hold fair, transparent and democratic elections.

7. not to interfere in the work of the judicial branch and law enforcement
bodies.

President of Ukraine V.A. Yushchenko
Verkhovna Rada Speaker O.O. Moroz
Prime Minister of Ukraine V.F. Yanukovych
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LINK: http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/data/1_16143.html
16921 May 2002News -19/05/07
GENEVA HOSTS SITTING OF WORKING GROUP ON ACCEDENCE TO WTO
KYIV, May 16 /UKRINFORM/. Within the framework of negotiations on Ukraine’s accedence to the WTO a sitting of a working group was held in Geneva to consider a new redaction of a draft report of the working group on consolidated conditions of Ukraine’s accedence to the WTO. A Ukrainian delegation was headed by Deputy Economy Minister Valeriy Pyatnytskyi, the Foreign Ministry’s press service told Ukrinform.
The working group also considered a tariff schedule of Ukraine and special obligations on access to service market, drafted by the WTO Secretariat.
The Ukrainian delegation spoke on the trade-economic regime. The sitting resulted in a decision on access to the internal markets of commodities and services.
The WTO members admitted to a high level of working through Ukraine’s pre-accedence obligations. According to chief of the working group Mr Matus, the next sitting is likely to complete a round of talks on accedence opt the WTO.

DAY OF EUROPE TO RUN IN KYIV ON JUNE 2 OR JUNE 9
KYIV, May 16 /UKRINFORM/. Day of Europe will run in Kyiv either on June 2 or on June 9, Foreign Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told a council of Chiefs of Regional Administrations on Observation of Day of Europe in the regions.
The Foreign Minister noted, that Kyiv Mayor Leonid Chernovetskyi agreed on the dates and the issue is being in question at the European Commision’s Mission in Ukraine.
Notably, Day of Europe was slated for May 19 in Kyiv, however, was laid off in view of massive street protests on Independence Square and European Square.

SWEDEN, AS WELL, AS ENTIRE EUROPE IS INTERESTED IN SETTLEMENT OF POLITICAL CRISIS IN UKRAINE, CARL BILDT SAYS
ODESA, May 16 /UKRINFORM/. Within the framework of his visit to Ukraine, Foreign Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt toured the EUBAM HQ in Odesa.
Answering questions by journalists, Carl Bildt noted that the EU approved opening its mission in Odesa several years ago and did its part in it’s development. Despite small period of operation the mission’s returns are amazing. As a prove stable development of the Ukrainian -Moldovan transborder cooperation.
Carl Bildt stated his hope for adjusting the Transdniestrian conflicts through negotiations on the basis of reaches agreements. In turn, the EU does its best to assist settlement of the conflict.
Speaking about political crisis in Ukraine, the Swedish Foreign Minister noted that he spoke about it with President Yushchenko early in the day. The EU is interested in peaceful settlement of the political crisis in Ukraine and holding pro-European reforms. Ukraine sees stable economic growth, he said.
Carl Bildt believes the problem of snap elections will be adjusted within several days and will be a positive impetus for the EU.

VALERIY PSHENYCHNYI AND SUZANNA STANIK ARE NOT JUDGES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT ANYMORE
KYIV, May 16 /UKRINFORM/. The Donetsk administrative court of appeal suspended the execution of the court ruling of the Donetsk Kirovsky district court on invalidating the presidential decrees on dismissal of Constitutional Court judges Pshenychnyi and Stanik, Secretariat deputy chief of staff Ihor Pukshyn confirmed on Wednesday.
He reiterated that the Kirovsky court’s ruling was illegal.
He added that Pshenychnyi and Stanik had no professional relation to the Constitutional Court now and so could not be considered as its justices and take part in its hearings.
Pukshyn said the ruling was replete with legal errors and so suggested that the Prosecutor General Office examine it to find out whether it contains any signs of crime to punish the judge.
President Viktor Yushchenko with his decrees on April 30, May 1 and 10 dismissed judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, Valeriy Pshenychnyi, Suzanna Stanik and Volodymyr Ivashchenko, for their violation of the oath. This move made the ruling coalition indignant.

PRESIDENT YUSHCHENKO WILL DELIVER HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO NEW PARLIAMENT, VIKTOR BALOHA SAYS
KYIV, May 16 /UKRINFORM/. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko will stick to the Constitution and will deliver his annual address to the parliament, but to a newly elected parliament, chief of staff of the Secretariat of president Viktor Baloha stressed.
He added that «those insisting he deliver it now are naively trying to make him recognize the disbanded Verkhovna Rada." Baloha said this year’s address was ready.
«The President will outline the country’s short-term, long-term and strategic priorities and propose concrete initiatives. It is quite possible that the address will be slightly revised to be consistent with all the rapid changes in the state. However, its essence will not change,» he said, adding that Yushchenko «hopes his ideas will be accepted and implemented with responsibility for the country.»

GOVERMENT LIFTS LIMITATION OF GRAIN EXPORT
KYIV, May 16 /UKRINFORM/. The Cabinet of ministers has lifted limitation of grain export of Ukraine. This was disclosed by Vice Prime Minister Viktor Slauta. We have counted 3 M. tons of grain, which is enough for internal use, he said.
The Cabinet of ministers imposed limitation of grain export from Ukraine in fall 2006. In March 2007 the limitation of fodder grain export was lifted.

AGRARIAN FUND TO PURCHASE 710,000 TONS OF GRAIN AND 180,000 TONS OF SUGAR
KYIV, May 16 /UKRINFORM/. The Agrarian Fund will purchase as many as 710,000 tons of grain and 180,000 tons of sugar into the industrial reserve, in accordance with an order of the Agrarian Policy Ministry of April 28.
In 2006 the Agrarian Fund purchased 175,492 tons of industrial grain.
In 2006 the Agrarian Fund established the state industrial reserve of 308,811 tons of grain. In 2005 the Agrarian Fund purchased 95,300 tons of grain and 25,000 tons of sugar.
The Agrarian Fund runs within the Industrial Policy Ministry.

CIDA TO CONTINUE GRANTING AID TO CRIMEA
SIMFEROPOL, May 16 /Ukrinform/. Topical issues of beneficial cooperation were discussed at a meeting between Crimean Speaker Anatoliy Hrytsenko and representative of the Canadian International Development Agency, headed by councilor of the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine Doris Wong.
We are grateful to the CIDA for assistance trough the program of integration of Crimea, and the UNDP. The Crimean government and territorial communities have enhanced their contribution into development of local projects, having allocated over 10 M. UAH, Anatoliy Hrytsenko stressed.
In turn, Doris Wong noted that the Canadian government will provide 20 M. USD for the program of development of integration of communities. In case of successful distribution of the funds among Ukraine’s regions, results will be more efficient, she said.
Anatoliy Hrytsenko confirmed bid of the Crimean leadership to deepen cooperation with international organizations.

UKRAINE INTRODUCES FEE FOR PASSING THROUGH DANUBE-BLACK SEA CHANNEL
KYIV, May 16 /UKRINFORM/. The Ministry of Transport and Communications ratified a procedure on channel dues and pilot fee levy for passing through the deep-water Danube-Black Sea Channel.
These measures are adopted in order to ensure the navigation safety and provide adequate conditions for the channel maintenance and operation.
According to the Ministry’s press-service, the channel dues payment for ships passing through the Bystre mouth are exercised in accordance with terms and rates on the harbour dues for ships in the oversea navigation - 0.14 USD per cubic meter volume, and 0.014 USD - for ships in the coastwise navigation.
The Danube-Black Sea Channel launched in experimental operation mode April 18, and it is an alternative to Romanian channels and is considered to be a considerable competitor for them, as the passing fee in the Ukrainian channel is much more lower rather than in the Romanian one - it is lower by 40%.
70 ships already passed through the Ukrainian delta of the Danube-Black Sea Channel since the fairway resumption.

AZOVSTAL INCREASES PRODUCTION OF ALL PRODUCT TYPES
KYIV, May 16 /UKRINFORM/. In April 2007 the metallurgical mill AzovStal (Mariupol, Donetsk region) increased production of practically all kinds of products.
As the mill’s press reported, iron production increased by 31.5% and reached 450,000 tons. Steel production grew, too, in April steel manufacture amounted to 519,400 tons, which was by 22.4% versus April 2006.
The mill also stepped up rolled metal by 20.9% and bulk coke by 6%.
Since the beginning of 2007, AzovStal produced 1,784.1 million tons of iron, 2.046 tons of steel and 1,791.5 million of rolled metal.
AzovStal is among three biggest metallurgical enterprises of Ukraine in iron, steel and rolled metal production.


PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO UK PUT OFF
KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. The Ukrainian and British parties agreed to postpone visit of President Viktor Yushchenko to Great Britain, slated for May 17 in view of changes in the tight schedule of British PM Anthony Blair.
Taking into account mutual interest in further development of the Ukrainian-British relations, the parties will agree on new terms of the visit.

DECISION TO PUT OFF VISIT OF UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT TO UK TAKEN BY BRITISH AND UKRAINIAN SIDES, TIMOTHY BARROW SAYS
KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. UK Ambassador to Ukraine Timothy Barrow aired a statement about put off of the president’s visit to the UK,
16718 May 2005News 17/05/07
FAMOUS AIRCRAFT DESIGNER PETRO BALABUYEV DIES
KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. Ukraine’s famous aircraft designer Petro Balabuyev died. Petro Balabuyev (born in 1931) was general designer of the O. K. Antonov aviation scientific-technical complex between 1984 and May 2005.
He participated in designing such aircrafts as AN-22 «Antei», AN-72, AN-74, AN-32, AN-28, AN-124 «Ruslan» and the biggest plane in the world AN-225 «Mriya» («Dream»).
Among his recent developments there are the passenger plane AN-140 and multi-purpose plane AN-3. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Consortium «Medium Transport Plane».
He was the author of over 100 scientific works.

KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. President Viktor Yushchenko expressed his condolences in connection with the death of famous aircraft designer Petro Balabuyev, UKRINFORM reports.
In the letter to his widow the president said the death of an outstanding designer and scientist is irremediable loss for everybody, the family, friends, colleagues, the whole Ukrainian people and the world aviation community.

PRESIDENT NOT TO SIGN AMENDMENTS TO STATE BUDGET, PASSED BY VR
KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. President Viktor Yushchenko will not sign amendments to the state butte, passed by the VR on May 4, which envisage enhance of pensions on June 1, 2007. This was disclosed by head of the president’s press service Larysa Mudrak.
The president’s stance remains invariable. The president refused to sign the bill as the VR is not legitimate, Larysa Murdak said.
PM Viktor Yanukovych urged President Viktor Yushchenko to sign bills, passed by the Parliament in April, 2007, notably amendments into the state budget of 2007.
The deadline of decreeing the bills is May 19.

IVAN DOMBROVSKY RELIEVED FROM CCU CHAIRMAN UPON HIS OWN REQUEST
KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. A session of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine was held Thursday, which resolved to relieve Ivan Dombrovskyi from Chairman of the Constitutional Court upon his own desire, the CCU press service reported. CCU Deputy Chairman Valeriy Pshenychnyi was reported as acting chairman of the court.
Notably, Pshenychnyi was dismissed from the post by the president on April 30 for "violation of the oath".
Thus, with its today’s move the Constitutional Court of Ukraine ignored the presidential decree.
As is known, MPs from the ruling coalition challenged the dismissal of Valeriy Pshenychnyi and another judge Suzanna Stanik in the Kirovsky district court of Donetsk. On May 10 the court suspended the presidential decree on dismissal of Stanik and Pshenychnyi, however the Donetsk administrative court of appeal suspended the Kirovsky court’s ruling.
As UKRINFORM reported the Constitutional Court of Ukraine continues sitting into validity of the presidential decree on dismissal of the parliament of April 2 and accepted a new petition by MPs against the second presidential decree of April 26.
Maria Markush was appointed rapporteur-judge on the case regarding the April 26 presidential decree. Ms Markush is a member of the Communist Party, elected to the CCU upon the parliament’s quota.
The Communists were the first to a priori claim the presidential decrees on disbanding the VR are anti-constitutional.
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ECONOMY MINISTER DISCUSSES GEARING UP TO EURO-2012 WITH PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN TRAVEL COMMISSION
KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. Economy Minister Anatoliy Kinakh discussed gearing up to the Euro-2012 with President of the European Travel Commission Arthur Oberascher.
Oberascher underscored huge tourist potential of Ukraine. He stated his readiness to share experience in organization of large-scale events.
The parties also discussed development of transport entity in Ukraine and rehabilitation of sport centers and stadiums.
The interlocutors also stressed a necessity to improve Ukraine’s image.
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STATE AIRCRAFT CONCERN "AVIATION OF UKRAINE" REGISTERED IN UKRAINE
KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. The state aircraft construction concern "Aviation of Ukraine" underwent registration, Ukrainian Industrial Policy Minister Anatoliy Holovko said.
On May 3 the government recognized the idea of uniting aircraft industry enterprises in the concern "Aviation of Ukraine" as expedient. It comprises of ten enterprises.
Shortly, the state concern will get the status of a special exporter.
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GVT APPROVES SECOND STAGE OF DANUBE-BLACK SEA CHANNEL REDEVELOPMENT
KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. The Cabinet of ministers at its meeting approved the second stage of the Danube-Black Sea Channel redevelopment, Minister of Transport and Communications Mykola Rudkovskyi informed.
He also said the deep-water fairway has been operating since late April experimentally and even 70 ships already passed through the channel, and 30% out of them were the foreign ones. At the same time the Minister noted that the Ukrainian channel has more advantages over the Romanian one. In particular, the Ukrainian fairway is capable of operating 24-h and in both directions.
The navigation resumption within the Danube-Black Sea Channel is of strategic importance for Ukraine. This means increase of the working places and a substantial progress in Ukraine’s approaching to the European Union making the country stronger in geo-political arena, M. Rudkovskyi pointed out.
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REGULAR ROTATION OF UKRAINIAN HELICOPTER SQUADRON PERSONNEL IN LIBERIA COMPLETED
KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. Scheduled for rotation four helicopters, two MI-8 and two MI-24, of the Detached Helicopter Squadron of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the UN Mission to Liberia, have been delivered to Ukraine, the Defense Ministry’s press service told UKRINFORM.
With this arrival the regular seventh rotation of the personnel and materiel of the 56th Detached Helicopter Squadron on the UN Mission to Liberia completed, during the rotation 300 servicemen and two MI-8MT and 8 MI-24 helicopters were replaced.
The 56th DHS of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been accomplishing mission within the UN Mission to Liberia since January 2004.
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"OUR UKRAINE "BLAMES CPU AND SPU FOR ATTEMPTS TO FOIL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. Representative of the "Our Ukraine" Yuriy Kliuchkovskyi blamed the CPU and SPU in attempts to foil fresh parliamentary elections.
Representatives of the CPU and SPU keep on demanding illegal initiatives, notably amendments to the Law of Ukraine, paving the way to voting at home by those, who are over 65 and a mandatory turn up by 51% of voters.
He also noted that the Regions Party insists on registration of the electorate by the Cabinet of ministers, instead of the CEC. Such an initiative is unacceptable, Yuriy Kliuchkovskyi said.
According to the MP, representatives of the coalition do their best to foil the fresh parliamentary elections and undermine agreements between the president and premier.
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WORKING GROUP ON SNAP ELECTIONS HAS ALMOST FULFILLED PROGRAM, ANNOUNCED EARLY IN DAY, IVAN VASIUNYK SAYS
KYIV, May 17 /Tetiana Klish - UKRINFORM/. A working group on gearing up to snap parliamentary elections has almost fulfilled a program, annulled early in the day, First Deputy Chief of the Presidential Secretariat Ivan Vasiunyk said.
We have worked through all bills, notably a bill on amendments to the state budget on financing elections. According to him, a working group has also initialized a bill to provide the CEC with services and commodities to gear up to the elections.
Ivan Vasiunyk also stressed that the sitting of the working group, slated for May 18 will see considerate of a procedure to pass the relevant decisions by the president and VR.
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UKRAINIAN POLITICAL EXPERTS DON’T RULE OUT CLASHES, BUT DEFINE THEM DIFFERENTLY
KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. Political experts don’t rule out clashes in Ukraine, notably, introduction of emergency state. This was disclosed at a sitting of press club, dedicated to activity of a working group on snap elections.
So, Chairperson of the Center of Researches of Political Values Oles Donyi noted that under the present situation, the president is likely to act unexpectedly and introduce an emergency state.
In turn, Chief of the Center of Applied Political Researches Volodymyr Fesenko believes that in case a compromise is not reached within few days, the crisis will be escalated.
Director of the Center of Social Studies "Sofia" Andriy Yermolayev rules out violent conformation with participation of law enforcement bodies. Neither Yushchenko, nor Yanukovych want to be blamed for attempts of coup de tat, he said. The violent scenario will be fulfilled through administrative influence.
Notably, President Viktor Yushchenko will hold a sitting of the National Security and Defense Council on May 18 to discuss the political crisis in Ukraine.
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ENVOYS OF UKRAINIAN AND MOLDAVIAN SECURITY FORCES UNDER EU MISSION SUPPORT CONDUCT 3RD JOINT OPERATION TO COMBAT TRANS-BORDER CRIME AT UKRAINIAN-MOLDAVIAN BORDER
ODESA, May 17 /Volodymyr Novak - UKRINFORM/. Representatives of the security forces of Ukraine, Moldova and the EU Mission conducted three successful joint operations on combating trans-border crime at the Ukrainian-Moldavian border. This was informed in a press conference held in the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine headquarters in Odesa.
As an UKRINFORM correspondent reported, a close cooperation of the five structures (the customs, border and secur
16023 April 2002Address of President of Ukraine

Address

14003 June 2005Congratulations by Ukraine's President on the opening of BBC office in Ukraine
Dear Friends!
The opening of the BBC representative office is a remarkable event in our country’s media space. I heartily congratulate on it the Ukrainian television viewers and the company’s team. BBC was the first company to respond to my call to foreign mass media to expand their presence to Ukraine. I am convinced that a lot of interesting and fruitful work lies ahead of you in Kyiv.
Ukraine is opening itself to the world that has started to see us as real Europeans that most of all value freedom and democracy. We want the interest in Ukraine to grow and to be understood. I believe that the BBC will help make this wish come true.
It is as important for the Ukrainians to open an information window to Europe. This is very important for a successful integration of Ukraine into the European Union. The more we know about each other the shorter the distance between us.
The decision to expand to Ukraine in itself is the best indication of positive changes taking place in our country regarding the freedom of speech and securing journalists’ rights.
Every success to all of You!

Victor Yushchenko
13721 April 2005Ukraine officially starts process of joining NATO
Euro-Atlantic integration is Ukraine ’s strategic objective and priority, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasiuk stated during a session of the Ukraine-NATO Commission at level of Foreign Ministers in Vilnius on Thursday.

Among other priorities the Ukrainian Foreign Minister named adjusting of the political, social, economic and defense systems to full correspondence with Euro-Atlantic standards. The Ukrainian diplomat expressed his sincere hope that the Thursday meeting would become a strong political signal for further reforms in Ukraine and the Ukrainian nation’s integration with the Euro-Atlantic community.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk said Kiev could complete the necessary military and political reforms within just three years but NATO, which is keen not to raise tensions with Russia , distanced itself from any timeframe.

"NATO has invited Ukraine to begin ... an intensified dialogue on Ukraine ’s aspirations to membership ... without prejudice to any eventual alliance decision," NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said after a meeting in Lithuania .

NATO offered Kiev a package of measures aimed at helping it to revamp its army and pursue Western democratic reforms. The package ranged from support in boosting Ukrainian intelligence to public diplomacy to countering public mistrust of NATO.

Also, as it was stated at the pres-conference after the end of the session Ukraine-NATO Commission the new Target Plan Ukraine-NATO for 2005, in the framework of the Action Plan Ukraine-NATO, came into force. During the session Mr. Tarasuik has informed the Commission on implementation of all necessary internal procedures. Since that moment the Target Plan took an effect.


13201 April 2005Abolition of entry visas for citizens of European Union and Switzerland
President Viktor Yushchenko signed the decree entitled "On Temporary Introduction of a Visa-Free Regime for Citizens of the Member-Countries of the European Union and the Confederation of Switzerland”.

The decree allows citizens of the member-countries of the European Union and Switzerland to enter Ukraine without visas from May 1 to September 1, 2005.

This regime is being introduced to ensure, among other things, proper preparation for and organization of the 2005 Eurovision song contest in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, a thorough analysis of this unilateral move will be conducted during this period with the aim of liberalizing the visa regime between Ukraine and member-countries of the European Union as well as between Ukraine and Switzerland.

The decree is also aimed at ensuring real openness of the Ukrainian society, realizing Ukraine’s strategic policy of integration into the European community, creating the proper conditions for attracting investments in the Ukrainian economy, facilitating active development of contacts among peoples, and promoting tourism.
13105 April 2005As to Ukrainian – American strategic partnership
Presidents of Ukraine and the United States Viktor Yushchenko and George Bush issued the joint statement on “Agenda of a new century for Ukrainian – American strategic partnership”. They announced about this at a common news conference in Washington after the meeting in the White House.

According to the Ukrainian President, new strategy signifies the “new era of strategic partnership between our countries”.

Commenting upon the meeting with the American President Viktor Yushchenko noted that the parties had a very “frank and productive discussion on a very broad spectrum of issues”. In particular, they discussed protection of fundamental human rights and respect for people, the new Ukrainian role in the problem of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the active cooperation in the issue of collective security and Ukraine’s integration to European institutes. Ukrainians, according to the President, want to see America as their strategic partner.

George Bush, in his turn, noted that the United States support Ukraine’s accession to WTO at the end of 2005 and strengthening of ties between Ukraine and NATO. “I am adherent of the idea of Ukraine’s entrance to NATO as a member-state”, stated American President.

Also the USA administration has the intention to abolish the Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions. According to George Bush, the USA Minister of Energy Sam Bodman soon will be going to Ukraine to talk about the expansion of Ukrainian - American cooperation in energy sphere.

Settling on the issue of further presence of Ukraine in Iraq and in a view of planned withdrawal of Ukrainian military forces Viktor Yushchenko indicated that “Iraq is a zone of Ukrainian interest”. According to the President’s assessment, the Ukrainian contingent has demonstrated its peace-making mission in a very effective manner. Peace-makers gave a support to inhabitants in medical treatment, assisted in the reconstruction of infrastructure. Viktor Yushchenko stressed the fact that beginning from the 9th of January there is not a single incident in the area of Ukrainian’s responsibility. “It is a bright example of how to make great strides in a peaceful way.

Viktor Yushchenko have thanked the American party for the warm welcome and said that it is a great honor for him and his wife to be present in the White House. He underlined that democracy and freedom are his personal ideology and the outlook of new government team; and the ideals for the new Ukraine are the ideals shared by the Western civilization.
 


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