Victor Yushchenko has met with First Deputy Premier Mykola Azarov, Secretariat Chief of Staff Viktor Baloha, Deputy Premier Dmytro Tabachnyk, Culture Minister Ihor Likhovy, First Deputy Chief of Staff Ivan Vasyunyk, First Deputy Kyiv Mayor Anatoly Holubchenko, UkrNDIproektrestavratsiya Head Anatoly Antonyuk, Privat Chairman Ihor Kolomoysky and Interpipe President Viktor Pinchuk to discuss plans to implement the Art Arsenal project.
The Head of State said the creation of the Art Arsenal museum complex was "the project of national importance."He believes the government and business must becomepartners to benefit the country and to preserve and develop its cultural heritage, the president press office informed.
The participants of the meeting discussed technical and economic aspects of the project. They decided it would be funded from three sources: charitable donations, Ukraine’s budget and Kyiv’s budget. Mr. Azarov said the government would encourage businessmen to invest in the construction.
Mr. Kolomoysky, one of Ukraine’s wealthiest tycoons, declared that “the alloy of private interests and state experience” would be useful forthe country. Mr. Pinchuk, who opened one of Europe’s largest private modern art museums in September, said it was expedient to hold a transparent international competition to choose the best contractor. He believes such an approach would help draw the attention of the international community to the project and consequently to Ukraine.
The President appreciated these ideas and invited Mr. Kolomoysky and Mr. Pinchuk to join the Art Arsenal Council.
