|
| President's speech - 06.06.07 |
12 June 2002 |
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 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.
|
| to top |
|
|
| Useful Links |
08 June 2002 |
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
|
| to top |
|
|
| Joint Statement |
29 May 2002 |
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
|
| to top |
|
|
| News -19/05/07 |
21 May 2002 |
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, slated for May 17 in view of British PM Tony Blair’s resignation, announced on May 10. He also noted that the Ukrainian -British relations are of great importance for the British party and a decision to put off the visit was taken by both Ukrainian and British parties. Information, suggested by the Ukrainian mass media that the Ukrainian party was informed about changes in the schedule of Tony Blair on May 14 is false. The Ukrainian party was informed earlier. We hold consultations with the Foreign Ministry and the Presidential Secretariat to set a new date of the visit, Timothy Barrow said in his statement. 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. ECONOMY MINISTER: CANCELING GRAIN EXPORT QUOTAS GUARANTEES SUCCESS OF UKRAINIAN BUSINESS KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. Ukrainian Economy Minister Anatoliy Kinakh believes that canceling export quotas for wheat and barley won’t influence the internal grain market adversely, the Ministry’s press service reported. By way of commenting on the Cabinet of ministers’ decision to nullify quotas for export of wheat and barley, Kinakh stressed that the move doesn’t threaten the internal market, since, as of April 1, the stock of food grain amounted to some 4.5 million tons and experts predict good crops in 2007. On December 8, 2006 the Cabinet of minister approved the quota of 1.106 million tons of grain in the 2006/2007 marketing year (July 2006 - June 2007). A May 16 Govt session adopted the decision to invalidate quotas for wheat and barley export.
SECURITY SERVICE CHECKING INTO STATEMENTS ABOUT LIKELY ATTEMPTS AT OPPOSITION LEADERS’ LIFE KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. The Prosecutor General Office is waiting for returns of a check by the Security Service of Ukraine into statements of chief of the Secretariat’s main agency for law enforcement activities Valeriy Heletey. This was what First Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksandr Medvedko said by way of speaking from the parliament rostrum Thursday. The check by the Security Service of Ukraine is to last some 10 days and will be followed with a decision on whether to institute criminal proceedings or not. On May 11 Heletey announced his possessing records proving likely attempts at the life of leaders of the opposition, in particular, at Yuliya Tymoshenko, Yuriy Lutsenko and provocation scenarios against Secretariat chief of staff Viktor Baloha. The records contain names and posts of officials responsible for these actions, who allegedly cooperate with the parliamentary coalition. SUPREME ADMINISTRATIVE COURT OF UKRAINE CONFIRMS BAN TO RUSSIAN DEPUTY ZATULIN TO ENTER UKRAINE KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. The supreme administrative court of Ukraine confirmed the ruling of the court of appeal on the ban to deputy of the Russian Duma Konstantin Zatulin to enter Ukraine. During the court hearings Zatulin said he had violated no Ukrainian laws and expressed his opinion that the accusation towards him meets neither the Ukrainian nor international laws. He said he was going to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. The Security Service stated its satisfaction with the court ruling. As SSU press service chief Maryna Ostapenko dwelt "we didn’t expect another ruling as two courts had already confirmed the validity of the Security Service decision." The Security Service of Ukraine prohibited Zatulin to enter Ukraine on June 3, 2006 "in the interests of Ukraine’s security" basing on the law on the legal status of foreigners and citizens without citizenship. Zatulin challenged the decision in court. IBRD TO ADDITIONALLY FINANCE PROJECT «REHABILITATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF CENTRAL HEAT POWER SUPPLY OF KYIV» KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. The Ukrainian government has agreed with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development on additional financing of the project «Rehabilitation and Enhancement of Central Heat Power Supply of Kyiv». The story is about receiving additional financing to the tune of 40 million USD. The total sum to the project now amounts to 160 million USD. The project is aimed at providing the Ukrainian population with more quality public utility services and improving the reliability of functioning of the heat power supply system and energy efficiency. UKRAINIAN INDUSTRY STEPS UP PRODUCTION BY 12.5% IN JANUARY-APRIL KYIV, May 17 /UKRINFORM/. In January - April 2007 the industrial sector of Ukraine saw production increase by 12.5% (0.4% in the respective period of 2006), UKRINFORM was told in the Industrial Policy Ministry. Ukraine’s machine building sectors saw output growth by 22.5% (versus 10.1% in the 2006 period). Especially rapidly developing sectors were reported heavy industries, transport and energy engineering. Automobile industry witnessed 42.8% rise and agricultural machinery production 36.7% rise. Metallurgical enterprises stepped up production by 16.1%, in particular, iron, steel and ferroalloy production increased by 16.4%, tubes by 21.4%, non-ferrous metals by 0.9%. Significant improvements were registered in the chemical industry of Ukraine, too, having increased its output by 7.8% during the past four months.
|
| to top |
|
|