ON UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY: Thirteen years of independence (08/29/04)

ON UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

Thirteen years of independence

Following is the text of a press release titled "Thirteen years of independence" issued by Ukraine's Permanent Mission to the United Nations. (The text was received on August 23.)

On August 24, 2004, Ukraine celebrates the 13th anniversary of its independence. Over the last years the absence of ethnic and national conflicts, irreversiblity of democratic transformations, active reforming of economic, political and social life have become inalienable features of state-building processes in Ukraine.

A new stage of internal reform in Ukraine is aimed at securing profound systematic transformations in the country's life, corresponding to the standards of a democratic state with socially oriented market economy.

Ukraine's internal development

Over several consecutive years Ukraine's economy has demonstrated one of the highest growth rates in Europe. Against the background of a stable financial situation, exports are rapidly growing, the Ukrainian goods strengthen their competitive capacity on the domestic market; volumes of investments and construction are growing, as do volumes of consumption and household income.

Real GDP growth in January-June 2004 reached a record level of 12.7 percent (9.2 percent last year); volumes of industrial output grew by 15.9 percent.

In the first five months of 2004 exports of goods increased by 51.3 percent compared with the same period last year; imports grew by 32.5 percent. The foreign trade surplus totaled over $ 2 billion (almost $409 million in the same period in 2003).

Last year Ukraine achieved considerable progress in the implementation of tax and pension reforms, resumed the privatization of big enterprises and improved legislation on mortgage and land regulation and crediting. The flat personal income tax rate of 13 percent was established; the corporate income tax rate was also reduced.

As a result of the socially oriented policy of the government in January-May 2004 nominal household income grew by 19.7 percent and real salaries by 26.7 percent.

Constructive dialogue between Ukraine and international financial institutions, the implementation of the external debt payment schedule and the considerable potential of further economic growth resulted in the upgrading of Ukraine's credit rating by leading international credit agencies.

Ukraine met in full the FATF requirements on fighting money-laundering and was excluded from the organization's "black list" in February 2004.

The country's economic achievements became possible owing to the formation of the coalition government and its backing by the parliamentary majority. The prospect of the implementation of constitutional reform, initiated by the president, which would consolidate the responsibility of the Parliament for forming of the government and its policy, is currently being discussed in the country.

One of the key priorities at government activity at present is the conduct of free, transparent and democratic presidential elections in accordance with national legislation and European norms and standards. First of all, it is about creation of equal opportunities for all candidates during the election campaign and securing the unimpeded activity of independent media.

Foreign policy of Ukraine

During recent years the necessary mechanisms for implementing the whole complex of measures in internal and external policy, that will bring Ukraine closer to integration with the European Union and NATO, have been created in Ukraine. This course toward European and Euro-Atlantic integration is based on clear awareness of Ukrainian national interests and corresponds to the realities of our country's development.

During the Ukraine-EU Summit at the Hague in July 2004 the parties agreed to continue discussions on the development of the Ukraine-EU Action Plan. The document, as both the Ukrainian side and its EU partners are convinced, should build upon the principles of joint ownership, differentiation and added value. Ukraine confirmed its interest in the adoption of such a plan, which would define specific steps of each side, contain specific tasks and obligations, and will be aimed at securing real positive achievements for Ukrainians and qualitatively improve relations between Ukraine and the EU.

The Ukraine-NATO Commission Summit in Istanbul confirmed the strategic character of the relationship between Ukraine and NATO, and the principal support by the NATO countries of Ukraine's course toward integration into Euro-Atlantic security structures. It also recognized significant progress in implementation of the Ukraine-NATO Action Plan and annual target plans, underlying the intention to further pragmatic cooperation.

During the last year progress toward completion of the legal procedure of the boundary delimitation of Ukraine was achieved. Treaties between Ukraine and Russia on the Ukrainian-Russian state border and on cooperation in use of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait were signed and ratified. A long negotiating process was completed by the signing of the treaty on the Ukrainian-Romanian state border. Transition to a new stage of preparation of the agreement on delimitation of the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones of Ukraine and Romania in the Black Sea has been secured.

Being one of the United Nations' founding states, Ukraine attaches paramount importance to U.N. activities in various fields. In particular, Ukraine remains one of the most active countries in preserving peace and security in hot spots around the globe: at present it is represented by more than 1,400 peacekeepers in nine U.N. peacekeeping operations.

Ukraine took a responsible position toward the Iraqi issue, its participation in the Stabilization Force and the rebuilding of the country. Starting from September 2003, the 1,800-strong Ukrainian peacekeeping contingent has been carrying out its mission in the Iraqi Wasit province, maintaining security in this part of the country, delivering humanitarian aid to its inhabitants and being actively involved in infrastructure reconstruction.

Ukraine made its contribution to international efforts on protection of the environment by ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the Parliament of Ukraine in February 2004.

Ukraine gradually and confidently is moving toward joining the World Trade Organization. On the whole Ukraine has signed 24 bilateral protocols with the WTO member-states.

* * *

The global changes in the architecture of European cooperation, connected, in particular, with the EU and NATO enlargement, demand from Ukraine the intensification of its foreign policy and pragmatic upholding of its national interests on the international arena.

Ukraine will continue to give priority importance to European and Euro-Atlantic integration, integration into the world economy, strengthening its position on the external markets, strengthening of regional stability, development of bilateral relations with neighboring countries and its strategic partners.

Ukraine sees its main task at present in consolidation of European values and standards in politics, economy and the social sphere, regarding it as a pledge of its social stability and sustainable development.

| Home Page |