Yanukovych and Azarov congratulated the Ukrainians on the Constitution Day

The President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov congratulated the compatriots on the Constitution Day.

In particular, the address of the President on the occasion of the Constitution Day, published by the President’s press office, says: “Sixteen years ago, the young Ukrainian state adopted the Constitution, the Basic Law of our country. It established the status of Ukraine as an independent, democratic and legal state. A state, where citizens, their life and health, honor and dignity, immunity and security are the highest social values”.

Yanukovych emphasized that “the dynamic development of Ukraine, and of the world, poses new challenges for us. Guaranteeing the principles encompassed in the Basic Law is nowadays impossible without changing certain provisions of the Constitution. These changes should become the foundation for developing democratic institutions, reforming the judicial system effectively, developing local self-government. It is necessary to modernize the Constitution to bring our country closer to European standards in all areas of life,” the address says.

In the President’s opinion,“updating the Basic Law is actually the foundation of our modern statehood development. It is the foundation for modernizing the country and our duty before future generations”.

He reminded that “the best experts of law, public figures, and prominent politicians are already working on the amendments to the Constitution. The Constitutional Assembly has brought together experts from the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe and other international organizations”.

The head of the state urged “the whole society, everyone who cares about the future of our state” to join the process of the Basic Law improving, “regardless of political beliefs or sympathies”. “After all, this work is for the future of Ukraine,” the President emphasized.

Yanukovych expressed his belief that “only together we can change the country for the better”.  “Together, we will build a modern, strong, prosperous Ukraine. A country, where all citizens feel truly protected in their rights and that is guaranteed by the state,” Yanukovych assured.

In turn, Azarov noted that June 28 came down in the history of Ukraine as the day of national consensus.

“I congratulate you on Constitution Day! June 28, 1996 came down in the recent history of our state as the day of national consensus. The new constitution has embodied the best achievements of domestic and world theory and practice of state building, has reflected the mentality and the will and desire of the Ukrainian people,” the PM’s address, published on the Government portal, says.

According to Azarov, the Fundamental Law of Ukraine came into the public life as the main guardian of democracy, the guarantor of the independence and unity of our state.

“The rule of law, freedom and human rights, political, economic, cultural and ideological diversity is the fundamental principles upon which the present and the future of the Ukrainian nation are based. On this solemn day we are proud of our country. And together we will build a free, fair, tolerable society, powerful and prosperous state, based on the principles of the European democracy,” Azarov stated in his address.

As a reminder, 16 years ago, on June 28, 1996, the Parliament of Ukraine adopted the new Constitution of Ukraine - the first Constitution of the independent state. The MPs were working upon the project, staying in the session hall all night long on June 27-28.

The adoption of the Constitution stipulated the legal principles of the independent Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. In accordance with the Constitution, the date of adoption of the Basic Law is a national holiday - the Constitution Day of Ukraine.