Newly appointed Cabinet holds first sitting

Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov held the first meeting of the newly appointed Cabinet, ForUm learned from the Cabinet’s press service.

Azarov congratulated the government on the appointment and wished the ministers good health, perseverance, energy, and inspiration.

The Prime Minister said that the Cabinet should work as the team, implementing the policy of the President and ensuring the development of the country.

Azarov said that among the appointed ministers there are those, who have significant experience, but had not led the departments or agencies before. At the same time, Azarov expressed confidence that the Ministries have experienced workers, who will help the new leaders.

"The work of the minister is not only the management of a colossal industry, but the necessary decisions and developments, the ability to exercise effective control over the implementation," the Prime Minister said. In addition, Azarov said that ministers should consult with experts and the public, visit the regions to know the real picture of the industry.

Azarov called economic growth the main task of the new government. "Only economic growth will ensure the growth of social standards," he stressed.

The Prime Minister has set the task to work out an action plan of the Government for 2013-2014, which would ensure the economic development of the practical component. "All the Ministries should be involved in working out the plan. The program should be backed up with credit, investment, budget resources," the Prime Minister said.

Azarov paid special attention emphasized to improving the foreign trade balance of Ukraine, and, consequently, the production of competitive products and promotion of Ukrainian goods to foreign markets. "We have to protect domestic markets and succeed in promoting our products," the Prime Minister said.

Moreover, Azarov stressed on the need for ministers to be more "public", to inform the society on the work of the Cabinet of Ministers, its decisions. "We have to be public, to be able to act, to defend our positions, to tell people about the work," Azarov summed up.

According to the Cabinet’s press service, the new government adopted the first decisions to provide public vital activity during the holidays and to resolve the social issues.