16.02.2007
President Yushchenko’s speech at the meeting with Heads of Diplomatic Corps, accredited in Ukraine on February 12, 2007
Respected Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have a welcome opportunity to express to all of you - the states, governments
and organizations you represent in Ukraine - our thanks for the fruitful dialogue
we have maintained over the past year.
I thank you for the mutual understanding and mutual support which draws us
closer to one another.
For Ukraine, 2007 has started as an active and dynamic year.
We are living in new political realities, yet far from being ideal.
We continue seeking out optimal ways to resolve the most arduous tasks of
our country's development.
Together we have been establishing a culture of political compromise.
This work will take on a new quality in 2007.
Among the key initiatives, which I set for the nearest term, the most fundamental
one will be the creation of a Constitutional Commission.
This shall be the main task for all branches of power and for the society
at large.
We are obliged to establish an effective balance of rights and responsibilities
between branches of power, to reliably safeguard the rights and freedoms of
citizens, and to forewarn Ukrainian society against any forms of authoritarianism.
I am pleased that the President's position is supported by the Chairman of
the Verkhovna Rada and the Prime Minister of Ukraine.
I wish to emphasize - we have no contradictions regarding strategic goals.
We are moving towards a sustainable national consensus.
Our priorities are known - a pluralistic democracy, a developed civil society,
a modern innovative economy and Ukraine's European choice.
The key task we set together for ourselves is attaining a competitive position
for our country in the world - in political, economic, humanitarian and security
dimensions.
Ukraine shall consistently proceed with the course towards European and Euro-Atlantic
integration.
This course is invariable and irreversible.
In practical terms, our first priority is to complete all procedures related
to joining the World Trade Organization.
Together with the European Union we plan to carry out productive work on a
new enhanced agreement, which will become the basis for our political association
and deeper economic integration.
We stand on the threshold of a new dynamic development in relations with
the Russian Federation. I believe that the Ukrainian-Russian Interstate Commission
will become a substantial driving force in enriching our cooperation with
specific, large-scale projects for the benefit of our both peoples and the
international community.
Ukraine is committed to actively strengthen its strategic partnership with
the United States of America. We are interested in employment, to the fullest
extent possible, of the potential of Ukrainian-American cooperation both on
a bilateral level and in overcoming the global and regional challenges.
As the Head of the Ukrainian State I unequivocally emphasize - Ukraine rejects
any policy of indetermination which can lead to a lack of security.
We will further our practical and open dialogue with NATO for the sake of
common security and stability.
The concept of security we understand in the broadest sense.
Ukraine's activity in the international arena, particularly within the framework
of the United Nations, OSCE, Council of Europe, and other multilateral organizations,
will remain to be initiative and noticeable.
We value our status as a consistent and reliable international partner which
does not stand aside of key international processes.
Ukraine possesses due potential to make a specific and effective contribution
to resolving environmental problems caused by climate change; to curbing the
spread of pandemic diseases -AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis; to fighting illegal
trafficking in human beings; to meeting the objectives of sustainable development;
and non-proliferation of nuclear and ballistic weapons.
We continue to exert active efforts to overcome the challenges of today.
Ukraine was, is and will be a consistent contributor to the stability and
promoting of democratic values in our region.
Relations with all of our neighboring countries are considered as strategically
important for us. There should be an area of partnership and trust between
us, thus reliably uniting together Kyiv, Minsk, Warsaw, Bratislava, Budapest,
Chisinau, Bucharest, and Ankara -all the interested countries from the Baltic
to the Black and Caspian Seas.
Our country will continue exerting every effort to solve a "frozen conflict"
in Transdnistria.
This conflict has already become a border conflict for the European Union.
All the parties to the negotiation process - including intermediaries and
observers - must clearly declare their support for the territorial integrity
of Moldova as well as the need to be more active in resolving the Transdnistrian
problem.
We stand ready to work constructively within the framework of the CIS and
we have an interest in further development of regional initiatives, such as
the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, GUAM, and the Community of Democratic
Choice.
I am certain that we need to open new horizons in our relationship with such
countries as the People's Republic of China and India.
Ukraine will continue to enhance dialogue with its durable partners, first
of all, with the members of the Group of Eight, and will do its utmost to
actively and decisively enter the new markets.
I anticipate that our intention to enrich cooperation with the countries of
Latin America, Asia, and Africa will be translated into concrete deeds. Undoubtedly,
WTO accession of Ukraine will foster these efforts.
The foreign policy of Ukraine has the main task:
Contribute to ensuring prosperity for our people;
Be a reliable partner and encourage mutually beneficial cooperation with other
countries and international organizations;
Guarantee constructive participation in preparing a unified international
response to new challenges.
I believe that our plans will yield concrete results in all fields – be it
in politics, economy, security, environment protection, and, for sure, in
the field of culture.
Your Excellencies,
I am sincerely counting on your understanding and support for the processes
underway in Ukraine.
Many times Ukraine proved its extensive potential for positive changes.
I am grateful for our cooperation, I anticipate its continuation, and I wish
you success.
On behalf of the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian State, I wish your people
and states peace, harmony and prosperity.
Each of you I wish good health, happiness, and well for long.
Thank you for attention.