Celebratiopn of the 20th anniversary of Ukraine's independence must be held at a decent level, President Viktor Yanukovych said during a meeting of the Preparation and Celebration of Ukraine’s Independence 20th Anniversary Coordinative Council.
"We must celebrate the 20th anniversary of independence decently. And the measures we are to hold must be held at the highest level," he said.
Viktor Yanukovych noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of a number of other important events related to the country gaining independence, such as flying the national flag in Kyiv (July 24, 1991) and other settlements of Ukraine, the Ukrainian referendum (December 1, 1991), the adoption of the Act of Independence of Ukraine (August 24, 1991).
"Everything achieved during these 20 years of independence were the events of establishment of the Ukrainian state in the modern world ... These dates, of course, are extremely important," Viktor Yanukovych said.
"Preparing for this celebration is extremely important," the President said, adding that executive authorities are those primarily responsible for the worthy celebration of important dates. In the remaining time ministries, local authorities have to do lots of work, Viktor Yanukovych said.
Undoubtedly, the President said, government’s daily work should be aimed at creating an appropriate social climate in all directions. "In this regard, other important events, such as the 15th anniversary of the Constitution or the anniversary of the Declaration on State Sovereignty, must be held under the sign of the 20th anniversary of independence," he added.
President Yanukovych also said the celebration of the 20th anniversary of independence is an important component of the image of Ukraine so the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has special responsibilities in this regard.
"The celebration in the capital should be held with the participation of foreign guests and our fellow citizens - representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora. We absolutely must work this question out," Viktor Yanukovych stressed.
"We must do everything for further modernization of our country improved people’s life and made our country stronger. The task we have set ourselves –making it to the list of twenty most developed countries in the nearest 10 years –lies in the plane of our shared responsibility," he said.
Yanukovych has also instructed the Government
to cut the planned costs of the Independence Day military parade. He
also gave an instruction to involve 20-year-olds in the celebration, as
they are Ukraine’s Independence peers.
"I am convinced that
cutting the costs will be a right decision," he added, addressing Prime
Minister Mykola Azarov at a meeting of the Preparation and Celebration
of Ukraine’s Independence 20th Anniversary Coordinative Council.
In addition, the President instructed the Government to arrange the holiday so that it was suitable for all Ukrainians, regardless of age. "Maybe we should make these events more modern?” he added addressing the meeting participants, “with the participation of young people, who will celebrate their 20th birthday this year."
The meeting participants will be reporting on the measures taken at
the beginning of July, when the next meeting of the Coordinating Council
is scheduled.
