Yanukovich urges Ukrainians to unite to build strong, prosperous country

President Viktor Yanukovich asked his fellow citizens to pool efforts in order to achieve the main goal - building economically strong, democratic and independent Ukraine. “At this time of hardships the world is living through I urge all citizens of our state to unite for the sake of our common goal of developing economically strong, democratic and independent Ukraine that would be a matter of pride for our fathers and posterity,” Yanukovich said in an address to the nation on the occasion of Independence Day marked on Saturday, August 24. He is convinced that “we can do it.” “Together we will build a socially fair and rich country. I believe in the Ukrainian people, its thousand-year-old wisdom, strength and perseverance,” the president said. He said the state was doing its best to achieve economic stability and prosperity. “The way we have travelled convincingly shows that we are able to develop our independent state in a responsible manner and on our own,” the president noted. Yanukovich ruled out possible social disturbances in Ukraine in the wake of the global economic crisis. “Ukraine has travelled its 22-year-long road of independence confidently, without social upheavals and conflicts. I am convinced that we will keep it this way,” he said. Ukraine has set ambitious goals of modernising the state and ensuring its sustainable development. “No one will be able to stop us on this way,” he said. “We are not fencing in from the rest of the world, we are not painting the world black and white and we are consistent in our policy of harmonious world and dialogue. And we will never support a policy of new walls and confrontation,” the president said. He assured his fellow citizens that Ukraine firmly defends its interests. “We have become a responsible ally and partner, we seek to build parity relations and are ready to make compromises that will strengthen stability and bring prosperity to us and all of our neighbours,” Yanukovich said. The president noted that the strength of the country lied in its internal unity and commitment to change. “This is why the policy of modernisation in all spheres of life expresses the interests of the Ukrainian people. The main task of the policy of modernisation is to develop a modern market economy, a democratic state system, and educated and free civil society,” Yanukovich concluded.