President’s address to the people on cancellation of constitutional reform

My dear fellow citizens!

The Constitutional Court of Ukraine repealed the alterations to the Constitution, which were made in 2004.

Thus we returned to the Main Law, under which Ukraine had lived since 1996.

We returned to the Constitution, which was acknowledged as the best by the European and other countries all over the world.

This Constitution empowered Ukraine to develop as an independent state, set invariable course for democracy and supremacy of law, protection of human rights and freedoms.

The decision of the Constitutional Court is not sudden for the people.

Ukraine and the society are fed up of living in the conditions that dictated the alterations to the Constitution of 2004.

These changes were made hastily, for the sake of political momentum. They caused permanent conflicts in power.

As a result, we see economic downfall and poverty of people, considerable decline of our country’s position on the international arena.

Today the Constitutional Court has repealed the alterations of 2004.

As a guarantor of the Constitution, I will obey this decision as any other.

All our further moves on improving the Constitution will be effective, systematic and transparent.

A new reform of the political system is an integral part of the course for reforms and will become a great step towards nationwide consensus.

I support an idea of referendum, as well as an idea of the National Constitutional Assembly as a mechanism for efficient consolidation on the way of political reforms.

It is a legitimate way we will move ahead.

I would like to reiterate that there is no alternative to reforms, to the course for changes and improvement of the citizens’ life.

I believe that democratic choice is irrevocable. I believe in freedom and justice in our state, in the prospects of the Ukrainian democratic republic.

We should make Ukraine a strong, modern, competitive state, and I anticipate public support in this important and very responsible matter.

Let God help us!