President Victor Yushchenko forwarded to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law on introduction of alterations to 2008 budget aimed at dealing with results of the disaster in the western parts of Ukraine.
According to President adoption of the draft law will enable conducting urgent restoration works in the western regions of Ukraine that suffered from floods and storms, helping those, who suffered from the disaster and stabilizing the situation in the damaged regions.
President Victor Yushchenko addressed Ministry of Education of Ukraine with a request to guarantee rights of university entrant in the western parts of Ukraine, which had suffered from recent storms and floods.
“Due to the natural disaster communication with some districts in the western regions of Ukraine has been cut. Therefore there is a risk that children from these districts, who earlier had gained right to enter higher education facilities, now can’t get to these facilities to provide all necessary papers and thus will be dismissed from the lists”, - said Victor Yushchenko.
With regard to that he asked Minister for Education to work out solution to the problem and to extend time constrains for providing necessary papers for the children from the flooded regions of Ukraine.
President Victor Yushchenko wrote a letter today to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. In his letter President drew Prime Minister’s attention to problems in Ukrainian animal husbandry.
According to him due to increasing imports of cheap and low-quality meat could destabilize national meat markets and result in decreasing domestic purchase prices, which subsequently would harm national producers of meat products.
As evidence of harmful effects of increasing raw meat imports President named reduction of national livestock by 10,1 percent for cattle and 19,3 percent for pigs.
Beside that, President pointed to harmful effect of selling foreign-produced meat at dumping prices through State committee on state material reserve.
Regarding all that President Yushchenko requested the Government:
In Crimea President Victor Yushchenko met tete-a-tete with President Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia.
At the meeting sides discussed a number of questions in bilateral cooperation between the countries, including deepening trade-economic ties, implementation of Kerch-Poti-Batumi project, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, etc.
President Victor Yushchenko wrote a letter today to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
In his letter President requested the Government to include financing of Dniester hydroelectric plant construction in draft alterations to 2008 budget.
According to President Yushchenko timely finishing of the construction is very important for Ukraine’s energy security, as the plant is to be the most powerful in Europe.
For now, however, according to him, construction works are behind the schedule. Also the situation is aggravated by the fact that no agreement on credit has been reached so far with the World’s Bank and by slow resolution of territorial dispute with Moldova (a part of dam of the plant is built on Moldovan territory).
On the results President requested Prime Minister to inform him in person.
President Victor Yushchenko wrote a letter today to State Property Fund Head Valentyna Semenyuk-Samsonenko.
In his letter President expressed concerns about a dispute between the SPF and ArcelorMittal Duisburg GmbH regarding determination whether the company keeps up to the agreements on purchase and sale of OJSC Kryvorizhstal shares.
According to President bringing a suite against the company on braking off the agreement with it may result in negative resonance in the world, loss of confidence of foreign investors and decrease in their interest in Ukrainian economy.
Therefore President suggested in his letter that the SPF considered re-inspecting disputable points with ArcelorMittal Duisburg GmbH and find ways to solve the situation peacefully.
He also requested SPF Head to inform him on results of the inspection in person.
President Victor Yushchenko left for Crimea on Monday night. There he is to spend a part of his yearly vacation.
Staying in Crimea President Yushchenko will hold a number of meetings and make some working visits.
As of
As a result of a casualty (heavy rains that caused a sharp water rise in the rivers of the Carpathian basin) in six regions (Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Chernivtsi, Transcarpathian and Ternopil regions) 655 inhabited localities remain underflooded (less by 112 inhabited localities) and 38,215 dwelling houses (less by 6,490 houses), as well as 57,383 ha of agricultural lands.
In the Ivano-Frankivsk region that suffered most from the natural disaster, 398 inhabited localities remained underflooded, 24,251 dwelling houses and 22,556 ha of agricultural lands. As many as 8,550 persons and 1,998 units of machinery and equipment have been attracted to flood relief operations.
The emergency ministry units deliver foodstuffs, drinking water and medicaments, and evacuate victims from the flooded zone to patient care institutions, at the same time amphibian vehicles have been attracted, as well as helicopters, on which flying around accident regions and examination of gas pipelines, electric mains, bridges, highways and railways has been carried.
In fulfilment of the President's decree of
A commission on flood relief operations takes all measures for normalization of the situation in the region. Mitigation of the emergency situation consequences is under control.
President Victor Yushchenko went to the Office of the Prosecutor General to provide evidence in the case of his poisoning.
Speaking to journalists after the event Victor Yushchenko said: “Let us get used to the fact that either it is a President, or a journalist, of a deputy, the attitude towards court and law enforcement bodies in our state is the same, because we are living in a democratic country”.
Speaking at today’s NSDC meeting on Odessa-Brody pipeline question, President Victor Yushchenko said that the project should not be a subject to political debates.
He emphasized that the project is unique as it provides opportunity to diversify Ukrainian energy position.
Delaying implementation of the project is dangerous according to President Yushchenko.
“We may be simply left behind if we continue to organize political debates around the project”, - he said. Beside that President rejected statements about corruption in project’s realization.
Victor Yushchenko also reminded that pumping Caspian oil through the pipeline has been foreseen in international obligations of Ukraine, therefore it is not in power of the authorities to question that.
During discussion of the dispute between Ukraine and Vanco International on conditions of extracted oil and gas distribution, at NSDC meeting President Victor Yushchenko criticized the Government for its overall attitude towards foreign investors.
According to President, the Government lacks effective dialogue with the investors. In this regard he also reminded of problems with investors of Kryvorizhstal and new terminal at Boryspil airport.
“This policy is wrong. By this we disrespect our partners”, - said Victor Yushchenko.
To change the situation for the better in general, President Yushchenko offered to abstain from excessive searching for scandals and corruption signs in the deals which a promising for Ukraine.
Opening the meeting of the NSDC President Victor Yushchenko addressed those present with a request to support decision of the Council on giving the regions of Ukraine, which suffered from the storms, a status of zones of an ecological emergency situation.
“I ask National Security Council to support such a decision. It will provide us with the opportunity to react rapidly and effectively on the situation”, - said Victor Yushchenko.
He also informed that he would suggest declaring ecological emergency situation in six regions for a period of three months.
According to him, thus the authorities would be able to present effective and adequate response towards the results of the disaster, including in the part of distribution of funds.
President Victor Yushchenko opened the meeting of National Security Council.
The agenda of the meeting included:
On July 28, at 13.30 President Victor Yushchenko will call up NSDC meeting.
The meeting will be dedicated to the emergency situationin in the western part of Ukraine.
President Victor Yushchenko took part in seeing off the Ukrainian sportsmen who are going to take part in XXIX Olympic Games in Beijing.
In his greeting word President Yushchenko said that participation of Ukrainian team in the Olympic Games is very important for our country.
“First of all you represent a large European country, you represent Ukrainian sports and your own ambitions… I would like to wish you happy journey, victorious competing and returning home with glory”, - said Victor Yushchenko.
Also President Yushchenko handed over to the captain of the Ukrainian team, athletics champion Yuriy Bilonoh an icon blessed in St. Sophia Cathedral by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
President Victor Yushchenko held a farewell meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
At the meeting President Yushchenko again thanked Patriarch Bartholomew for his visit to Ukraine and participation in celebration of 1020th anniversary of Kyivan Rus’ Christianization.
“The historic visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I to Ukraine is itself the beginning and important momentum for unification of Ukrainian Churches and faithful. I am glad that the Patriarch supports will of our nation to have national Church of its own”, - said Victor Yushchenko.
From his part Patriarch Bartholomew I assured that the patriarchate of Constantinople welcomes unification tendencies in Ukrainian Orthodoxy.
“It is because we are representatives of Mother Church, we care for your perspectives and your future. We are interested in united Ukrainian Church because it lies within the interests of Orthodoxy and in the interests of Ukrainian people”, - said Bartholomew I.
He also thanked Victor Yushchenko for his invitation, which gave him an opportunity to celebrate the 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Kyivan Rus’ and to get familiar with Ukraine.
In Ivano-Frankivsk region President Victor Yushchenko took part in a meeting of the executive staff, managing consequences of natural disaster in the western part of Ukraine.
At the meeting President informed that in the evening he would sign a decree on measures of managing the disaster. He also asked Prime Minister and Minister for Emergencies to prepare their suggestions to the draft decree in the nearest one and a half to two hours.
In addition President Yushchenko gave a number of instructions on management of the disaster. According to him the damages must be calculated in next three days.
He also put a task to begin restoration of the damaged territories immediately after rescuing works are finished.
Besides, President addressed business circles of Ukraine with a request to provide victims of the disaster with charity support.
Having come to Ivano-Frankivsk region President Victor Yushchenko went to Halytskyy district, which is one of the most damaged by storms.
Speaking to inhabitants of Halych President stressed that the situation demands urgent actions of the state.
He informed that Ministry of Defense, state road service and water resources management will drawn to the process of restoration of the damaged area together with Ministry for Emergencies. Also President said that he is to establish a special commission, which will be responsible for preparing a registry of those, who suffered from the disaster and for calculating the damages.
“We have to be together now, to help one another. In this situation you will not be alone; we will together overcome all the problems”, - promised Victor Yushchenko.
In his visit President was accompanied by Vice Prime Minister Oleksandr Turchynov, Minister for Emergencies Volodymyr Shandra, Defense Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov, Ivano-Frankivsk Administration Head Mykola Paliychuk.
President Victor Yushchenko went to Ivano-Frankivsk region with a working visit.
During the visit he is scheduled to come to those parts of the region, which suffered the most from the storms, raging in the western part of Ukraine.
There he will check on development of managing the disaster and take part in a meeting of the executive staff dealing with the results of the natural disaster.
President Victor Yushchenko took part in a festive liturgy near the monument to Volodymyr the Great in Kyiv, celebrating 1020th anniversary of Kyivan Rus’ Baptism.
The liturgy was conducted by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I with participation of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexi II, Metropolitan Volodymyr and heads of foreign Orthodox Churches who came to Ukraine on the occasion of the holiday.
President Victor Yushchenko and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I hosted a joint festive reception. The event was arranged at Kyivan Sophia national preserve.
“We are celebrating the 1020th anniversary of Kyivan Rus’ Christianization as a triumph of spirit, as a great day for Christianity and Orthodoxy, as a great day in the life of the European world”, - said Victor Yushchenko greeting the guests.
He also reminded that St. Sophia Cathedral is a symbol of Ukrainian nation’s spiritual power, uniting our people with Mother Church and with all the world.
“I am assured that the visit of Ecumenical Patriarch and all the representatives of Orthodox Churches to Ukraine is the sign from God and his blessing”, - said President Yushchenko thanking also Patriarch Bartholomew I and the representatives of churches for their spiritual support.
In addition President expressed assurance that together with the restored Ukraine, the restored Ukrainian Church would appear as a pillar for its nation and unity of Orthodox spirit.
President Victor Yushchenko presented to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I the Order of Yaroslav the Wise I grade. The ceremony took place at Presidential Secretariat during the meeting of President Yushchenko and Patriarch Bartholomew I with heads of foreign Orthodox Churches.
Patriarch Bartholomew I was also granted the mantle and the diploma of Honorary Doctor of Kyiv Taras Shevchenko University and received memorable presents from President Yushchenko.
The Ecumenical Patriarch thanked President Yushchenko for the honor, saying: “… we consider these high awards as honoring the First Throne and the martyrs of Constantinople, rather than honoring our modesty”, - said Bartholomew I.
Addressing the present heads of Orthodox Churches of the world, President Yushchenko thanked them for coming to Ukraine to take part in celebration of 1020th anniversary of Kyivan Rus’ Baptism.
“Your visit we will remember filled with love and wish to bring to this land understanding and peace among Orthodox Churches of Ukraine”, - he added.
President Yushchenko also promised that from his part he would be doing everything to improve relations between all the religious communities in Ukraine.
Among the participants of the meeting along with President and Ecumenical Patriarch were Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Hieronymos II, Bishop of Vidin (Bulgarian Orthodox Church) Dometian, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania, Metropolitan Sergi of Nekresi and Hereti (Georgian Orthodox Church), Metropolitan Petros of Aksum (Orthodox Church of Alexandria), Bishop Vasilij of Zvornik –Tuzla (Serbian Orthodox Church), Archbishop Nifon of Targoviste (Romanian Orthodox Church), Archimandrite Stefan (Jerusalem Orthodox Church), Archbishop Abel of Lublin and Chelm, Metropolitan Emmanuel of France.
Gathering of early crops has been completed in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Deputy Chairman of the Crimean Council of Ministers Mykola Kolesnychenko told a selector meeting.
The grain yield made up 1,649 million tons of grain with the average yield of 28.5 centners/ha.
19.68 million tons of grain has been thrashed in
In the Ukrainian House President Victor Yushchenko and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I opened a gallery of portraits of famous Ukrainians and an exhibition of Orthodox painting.
“We are returning to Ukraine and to the whole world the names of our famous spiritual zealots, fathers of the church, great state figures of the past, cressets of education, art, medicine.” - said Victor Yushchenko at the event. “... the asset each of them made into national and, often, into the world’s treasury of spirituality, culture and science is undoubtedly priceless”, - he added.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I also praised the idea of opening of such an exhibition. He also handed over a present from the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the Ukrainian nation – icon of St. Andrew, painted at the Mount Athos and mosaic “The Kind Pastor”.
After the events at the square in front of St. Sophia Cathedral within the framework of celebration of 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus’ President Victor Yushchenko, Mrs. Kateryna Yushchenko, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Arseniy Yatsenyuk, other officials and public figures, representatives of Orthodox Church branches, walked over to Mykhaylivska Square.
There they honored Holodomor 1932-1933 victims by laying wreaths near the monument to those lost in the tragedy. Also Patriarch Bartholomew conducted a requiem service for the souls of those innocently killed in 1932-1933.
President Victor Yushchenko and Mrs. Kateryna Yushchenko took part in a festive gathering on the occasion of 1020th anniversary of Kyivan Rus’ Christianization on Sophyivska Square in front of Kyiv St. Sophia Cathedral.
In his address President greeted all Ukrainians with this holiday. “It is a festival of Christianity, a festival of the European civilization. It is a festival of world’s Christian community and a festival of Orthodox Christianity. It is a festival of our nation with thousands of years of history”, - President said.
In his speech Victor Yushchenko also expressed hope for unification of Ukrainian Orthodox Churches. “I believe that with wisdom and perseverance we will walk through the path towards a dream. I believe that any partition of Ukrainian faithful is not for long. I believe that national Ukrainian Church will appear in Ukraine as a gift from God, as a historical truth and fairness”, - he said.
Addressing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I President Yushchenko asked for his blessing for Ukraine and its nation.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, from his part, praised the idea of the Ukrainian authorities to celebrate 1020th anniversary of Kyivan Rus' Baptism.
“We wholeheartedly accepted the honoring invitation of His Excellency, the President of Ukraine Mr. Viktor Yushchenko to participate in the festive ceremonies for the 1020th anniversary of the baptism of the Ukrainian nation to Christianity by the Mother Church because, on the one hand, the contribution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the Christianization of the European peoples is celebrated by that multifaceted event, and, on the other hand, because by that event the new, European prospects of the Ukrainian nation are emphasized at a time of great and rapid changes worldwide. The Mother Church rejoices together with the pious Ukrainian people because that baptism remains an inexhaustible source of strength not only supporting its internal spiritual coherence, but also utilizing it fully in the important field of international relationships”, - he said.
He also encouraged everybody to renew the role of Christianity as a factor for unification in the name of the holiday.
“It is a common duty of the civic, political, ecclesiastical and in general intellectual leadership of the Ukrainian people to utilize by every appropriate means the God-given gift of the Baptism not only for the immediate cure of various confusions and traumatic events of the historic past, but also for the restoration of the cohesive role that the Orthodox Church played in the consciousness of the Christ-loving Ukrainian nation. If this confusion is prolonged in order to serve ethnophyletic or political ends and purposes foreign to the Church's spiritual character would abolish the cohesive power of the Baptism and would worsen the already dangerous division of the ecclesial body, a division that wounds not only spiritual unity but also the communal coherence of the Ukrainian people with obvious troublesome consequences for the future of Ukraine”, - said Patriarch Bartholomew I.
Blessed Children of the Church, Christ-loving people of Ukraine,
The initiative of the civic, political, religious and spiritual leaders of the great people of Ukraine to organize the official festivities of the one thousand and twenty year anniversary since the Grand Duke's (Velikiy Knjaz) Volodymyr resolute decision to accept the Christian faith from the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the official religion for the people of the Duchy of Kiev and, by extension, for all autonomous Russian Duchies, is not only an obligation to the pious people of Ukraine, but also significant for its future promises in an age of rapid and crucial changes worldwide.
This initiative is an obligation insofar as all great nations ought to guard most zealously their historic memory, especially of those events that have sealed indelibly the proper spiritual identity of their national consciousness and determined, more or less, their perennial contribution to the community of nations. It is also and particularly significant today, for the depth of the great people's history constitutes an inexhaustible resource of strength and radiation to those near and afar.
It is a common and indisputable assertion that the choice of faith was, under different perspectives, a decisive factor for the historic destinies of all nations of the world, on the one hand because it informed their peculiar characteristics of their intellectual identity, and on the other hand because it determined, more or less, the content of their national consciousness. These festive events constitute a clear expression of the gratitude of the pious people of Ukraine towards the Grand Duke for his personal care and wise decision in choosing a religion for his people, as it is described in the extensive narration of Kievite monk Nestor (XI century).
It is obvious that the decision of the Grand Duke of Kiev to choose for his people the Christian faith and to ask for the baptism from the Ecumenical Patriarchate was the ripe fruit of an evaluation in wisdom and discernment of all the main and side consequences of that decision that covered not only personal sensibilities but also his vision for the happiness of his people. Thus, he chose Christianity and indeed the Christianity of the Byzantine tradition because, on the one hand, the political, economical and spiritual relationships of the Kievan-Rus with Constantinople have had a long and official history already since the time of the Ecumenical Patriarch Photius, the Kievites' beloved Patriarch, and on the other, because by doing so he was connecting his people with the most advanced civilization of that time.
In this sense, the Duke of Kiev, through the baptism of the Kievites by the numerous missionaries of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, grounded not only the indissolvable spiritual bonds of the pious Ukrainian nation with the Mother Church-such bonds were further developed through the Byzantine evangelization of the other autonomous Russian Duchies-but also the new prospects of their relation to the rest of the Christian world, as witnesses now to the Byzantine spiritual inheritance and to the Orthodox tradition. Kiev became the administrative center for the dissemination of the Byzantine cultural heritage to all autonomous Russian Duchies, while the Grand Duke of Kiev became the supporter of that mystagogy.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate spared no pains and sacrifices in this century-long process of evangelization. At stake was not only the wider dissemination but also the correct utilization of Byzantine spiritual heritage, which permeated all the aspects of public, ecclesial and intellectual life of the autonomous Duchies and enriched by the sanctified Orthodox tradition the liturgical character of the national consciousness of the people, on the basis of the spiritual signification of the Baptism, by which all the secular divisions are transcended in the union of the ecclesial body. On the basis of that criterion, the Orthodox tradition gave shape to, on the one hand, the peculiar spiritual relationship between the Church and nationality, and, on the other hand, the conventional relationship between Church and State-for both, the "scattering" of the nations in the Old Testament as well as their "gathering" through the baptism in the New Testament have determined the national consciousness of the Orthodox people.
Thus, the Orthodox tradition remains faithful to the mission of the Church to preach "to all nations," without however subordinating her mission to those national aspirations that are alien to her character. For this reason, she brought the spiritual relationship to nationality under the absolute and canonical criterion of territoriality of the ecclesiastical jurisdictions as well as under the conventional arrangement of her relation to the State. In this sense, the Great Synod of Constantinople (1872) condemned every arbitrary ethnophyletic or nationalistic claim as ecclesiological heresy, insofar as such a claim would disregard the territorial character of the ecclesiastical jurisdictions or the conventional authority of the State in arranging the relationships between the Church and itself. Disregarding those two criteria is not only against the Orthodox tradition but introduces a dangerous confusion in the very liturgical structure of the Church.
It is therefore self-evident that the Orthodox Church cannot tolerate any violation or change of that relationship to the State or the Nation. For this reason she always retorted to any conventional arrangement with the criteria of her own law, even as she accepted, out of pastoral considerations, the principle that "it is customary for the ecclesial things to change together with the political entities." However, the recent legal culture of the state ideology doubted or even rejected the statutory role of the Church in the structure or in the function of the modern state. It didn't succeed, however, in attacking the traditional, spiritual relation of the Church to nationality which remained unscathed and certified the impressive historical endurance of the Church's relationship to the society, even under the most adverse circumstances.
The source of this spiritual relationship of the Church with the body of the faithful (corpus fidelium) is the baptismal font, in which man's spiritual rebirth is effected and the ecclesial body is wrought within the framework of the national or civic body. Thus, the Church is fully aware that the body of her members constitutes a community of faithful, as the State is fully aware that it constitutes a community of citizens. Nevertheless, there is a specific distinction in the constitution and the operation of these two communities: for the State is born by its citizens, while the Church gives birth to her members in a new spiritual relation that is distinguishable but does not abolish the legal relations among the citizens. The maternal relationship of the Church to her members, a relationship that is continuously nourished by the ecclesial body's sacramental experience, explains the historical endurance of that relationship with nationality but does not allow any doubt of the State's established role to determine the statutory framework of perfect co-operation between Church and State for the benefit of both faithful and citizens, especially in the case of irregular or unsettled ecclesial divisions.
The Orthodox Church is an orderly community of autocephalous or autonomous Churches, while she is fully aware of herself as the authentic continuation of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. She fulfills her spiritual mission through the convocation of local or major Synods, as the canonic tradition has established it, in order to safeguard and affirm the communion of the local churches with each other and with the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, as the First Throne in the Orthodox Church, has been granted by decisions of Ecumenical Councils (canon 3 of the II Ecumenical Council; canons 9, 17 and 28 of the IV Ecumenical Council; canon 36 of the Quinsext Ecumenical Council) and by the centuries-long ecclesial praxis, the exceptional responsibility and obligatory mission to care for the protection of the faith as it has been hand-down to us and of the canonical order (taxis). And so it has served with the proper prudence and for seventeen centuries that obligation to the local Orthodox churches, always within the framework of the canonical tradition and always through the utilization of the Synodal system, while, at the same time, it assumed an exceptional struggle for the apostolic promulgation of the Orthodox faith to all people in Eastern and Central Europe.
It is, then, important that the Ecumenical Patriarch never claimed the expansion of his canonical authority, though he could, as he never demanded the dissociation of that exceptional authority from the Synodal system, although again he could, for the guarantor of the canonical observance could not himself violate the canonical order without damage to the unity of the Church. On the contrary, the Ecumenical Throne for over a millennium treated as relative even the canonical borders of its own ecclesiastical jurisdiction in order to offer the necessary support for the survival of the troubled Patriarchal Thrones of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem, as well as of the autocephalous Archdioceses of Cyprus, Ochrida, Peć and Trnovo.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate's service in the Orthodox Church, at the cost of its own rights, is better exemplified by the development of its relations with the eminent among the daughter Churches, namely the Church of Ukraine, which was under the Ecumenical Patriarchate's canonical jurisdiction for seven centuries, that is, from the baptism of the Grand Duchy of Kiev (988) until her annexation under Peter the Great (1687) to the Russian state. Indeed, the Mother Church, under the known adverse circumstances, deprived herself in order to offer willingly to the Church of Ukraine every ecclesial, spiritual and material support, aiming not only at the fuller utilization of the spiritual heritage of Byzantium but also at the protection of her Orthodox identity from the unbearable political pressures exercised by the heterodox propagators, especially during very difficult times for the pious Ukrainian people.
Thus, after Ukraine's annexation to Russia and under the pressure of Peter the Great, the Ecumenical Patriarch Dionysios IV judged as necessary for the circumstances of that time the ecclesiastical subordination of the Church of Ukraine to the Patriarchate of Moscow (1687), lest the troubles of the pious Ukrainian people worsen under the Orthodox political leadership-even though the Ukrainian Hierarchy opposed strongly and unanimously that decision, a decision that amounted to an obvious damage of the canonical rights of the Mother Church. In the same spirit, the Mother Church concurred with the demand of the governments of the newly established states of the Orthodox people in the Balkan peninsula regarding the autocephaly of those Churches that were taken from her canonical jurisdiction, namely the Church of Greece (1850), the Church of Serbia (1831), the Church of Bulgaria (1945), and the Church of Albania (1937), for the sake of their national coherence, even though such autocephalies resulted in the dramatic dwindling of her ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
Therefore, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as the par excellence guarantor of the unity of the Orthodox Churches in the faith and in the canonical order, exercised always its obligations by attuning its sensible spiritual antennas to the needs of the Orthodox people and to the peculiar circumstances of each age, but always within the established framework of the Orthodox tradition. As the Mother Church of all Orthodox people, the Ecumenical Patriarchate never identified itself with one Orthodox nation in particular, but rather supported willingly the historic destinies of all Orthodox nations, even at the cost of its own jurisdictional or other benefits, co-operating always on equal terms with the civic and political leadership of these nations, in accordance with the shinning example set by our Lord, the Apostles and the eminent Fathers of the Church.
In this sense, we wholeheartedly accepted the honoring invitation of His Excellency, the President of Ukraine Mr. Viktor Yushchenko to participate in the festive ceremonies for the one thousand and twenty year anniversary of the baptism of the Ukrainian nation to Christianity by the Mother Church because, on the one hand, the contribution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the Christianization of the European peoples is celebrated by that multifaceted event, and, on the other hand, because by that event the new, European prospects of the Ukrainian nation are emphasized at a time of great and rapid changes worldwide. The Mother Church rejoices together with the pious Ukrainian people because that baptism remains an inexhaustible source of strength not only supporting its internal spiritual coherence, but also utilizing it fully in the important field of international relationships.
Therefore, it is a common duty of the civic, political, ecclesiastical and in general intellectual leadership of the Ukrainian people to utilize by every appropriate means the God-given gift of the Baptism not only for the immediate cure of various confusions and traumatic events of the historic past, but also for the restoration of the cohesive role that the Orthodox Church played in the consciousness of the Christ-loving Ukrainian nation. If this confusion is prolonged in order to serve ethnophyletic or political ends and purposes foreign to the Church's spiritual character would abolish the cohesive power of the Baptism and would worsen the already dangerous division of the ecclesial body, a division that wounds not only spiritual unity but also the communal coherence of the Ukrainian people with obvious troublesome consequences for the future of Ukraine.
It is not only the right but also the obligation of the Mother Church to support, within the framework of the established Orthodox tradition, every edifying and promising proposal that would cure, as fast as possible, the dangerous divisions in the ecclesial body, "lest the evil becomes worse" for the Holy Church of Ukraine and the Church in general. The various political and ecclesiastical difficulties that are the outcome of the existing confusion are obvious and known from the long historic past, but it is also known to all that the care for the protection and restoration of the Church's unity is our common obligation that exceeds whatever political or ecclesiastical purposes, in accordance with the exhortation of the divine Founder of the Church: "so that may all be one" (John 17:21).
President Victor Yushchenko hosted a dinner in honor of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
In his toast President said that celebration of 1020th anniversary of Baptism of Kyivan Rus’ is very important for strengthening ties between Christians Ukraine and the world.
“I am assure that this year’s celebration is important for … strengthening unity of world’s orthodox community”, - he said.
From his part Patriarch Bartholomew I pointed to the fact that many saints and martyrs, important figures of Christianity descended from the Ukrainian nation. “That is why this celebration is really grand. I praise and greet those people who have been working on its realization”, - said Patriarch Bartholomew I.
Together with his wife Kateryna Yushchenko, President Victor Yushchenko went to Saint Sophia Cathedral to take part in a festive evening liturgy, celebrating 1020th anniversary of Kyivan Rus’ Christianization. The liturgy was conducted by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
Before the liturgy Patriarch Bartholomew I blessed over the new bells and the restored Holy Gates for the Cathedral. The idea of Holy Gates and bells restoration at St. Sophia Cathedral belonged to President Yushchenko.
After the service President Yushchenko and Patriarch Bartholomew I left their notes in the Book of Honorable Guests of Kyivan Sophia national preserve.
President Victor Yushchenko expressed concerns about the situation in western part of Ukraine as a result of the storms.
“Lives of thousands of people fell under threat together with their posessions and agricultural grounds. Threat of the disaster remains within the scope of storm warning”, - said Victor Yushchenko.
“I draw the Government’s attention as well as Prime Minister’s and Emergency Minister’s personal attention to the fact that the situation demands timely and proper reaction”, - added Victor Yushchenko emphasizing that executive authorities must use all means to protect people and their possessions from the disaster.
In Horodetsky House President Victor Yushchenko held a tête-à-tête meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
Opening the meeting President Yushchenko thanked Patriarch Bartholomew I for coming to Ukraine and repeated that the present visit of the Patriarch is a great honor for Ukraine.
Patriarch Bartholomew I, from his part, thanked President Yushchenko for invitation and assured that he came to Ukraine with positive emotions. He also praised decision of Ukrainian authorities and President Yushchenko’s personal efforts to celebrate 1020th anniversary of Kyivan Rus’ Christianization on such a high level.
President Victor Yushchenko took part in a festive service on the occasion of 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Kyivan Rus’.
The service took part in Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and was conducted by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Volodymyr.
After the service Metropolitan Volodymyr and Patriarch Bartholomew I said greeting words and exchanged presents.
Together with President, members of the government and delegates from foreign Orthodox Churches, who arrived to Ukraine to take part in the celebration also took part in the event.
President Victor Yushchenko welcomed in Ukraine Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. The welcoming ceremony took place today at Boryspil airport.
In his greeting word President Yushchenko thanked Patriarch Bartholomew I for his efforts in promoting spiritual values around the world.
He also stressed that Ukrainians consider the visit an exhibit of deep Christian love to the whole Ukrainian nation.
Patriarch Bartholomew I from his part thanked President Yushchenko for the invitation to take part in celebration of 1020th anniversary of Baptism of Rus’.
“We arrived here to pray for unification of all the Christians of Ukraine. We arrived here as angels of peacewho desire unity”, - he said.
Together with President, President’s Chief of Staff Viktor Baloha, NSDC Secretary Raisa Bohatyryova, former President of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk, Vice Prime Minister Ivan Vasyunyk, Minister for Culture Vasyl Vovkun, Defense Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov, His Beatitude Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine, other officials.
President Victor Yushchenko met with delegates from the Group of the European People's Party and European Democrats in the European Parliament headed by the Group’s Chairmen Joseph Daul.
Opening the meeting President thanked EPP-ED for initiating the regional conference Orthodox dialogue. “It is a sensitive question for us. It is our aim to renew dialogue between Orthodox Church branches in Ukraine”, - he said.
Victor Yushchenko also expressed gratitude to the Group for its support of European aspirations of Ukraine.
Besides, participants of the meeting discussed possibility of adoption of the resolution on Holodomor 1932-1933 by the European Parliament.
Speaking about the coming celebration of 1020th anniversary of Baptism of Kyivan Rus’ at his today’s press conference, President Victor Yushchenko said that the event is very important for unification of Orthodox Churches’ branches in Ukraine.
He also said that the visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I to Ukraine on this occasion will contribute to establishing dialogue between the Orthodox Churches in Ukraine. “Welcoming Ecumenical Patriarch is a great honor for our land and our nation”, - added Victor Yushchenko.
President also expressed opinion that Christianity may be an important factor for unification of the Ukrainien nation itself as there is along Christian tradition in the country, which began with the Baptism of Kyivan Rus' by Prince Volodymyr in 988.
According to Victor Yushchenko's opinion accord among churches in Ukraine is vital for country's development. As one of tasks for the state here he named establishment of suitable conditions for religions to develop. “I will be doing all I can… to bring Ukraine to accord among the churches”, - he said, adding also that establishment of a single Orthodox Church in Ukraine is his dream.
At today’s press conference President Victor Yushchenko said that it would be reasonable to begin talks with Russia on withdrawing Russia’s Black Sea fleet from the territory of Ukraine.
“The subject of beginning talks on future withdrawal of Russian Black Sea fleet from the Ukrainian territory should be put on the agenda of our bilateral relations. We should begin discussing this issue, if we want to be honest in our relations with each other”, - he said.
President also explained that it is a very complex matter as there are more than 100 vessels to be withdrawn and substantial infrastructural changes to be made. “For us to make the redeployment, foreseen in active agreement, we must have a lot of spare time beforehand”, - he explained.
In addition Victor Yushchenko reminded that Ukrainian constitution prohibits presence of foreign military bases at the Ukrainian territory. “President is the guarantor of the Constitution and I am obliged to bring up these things”, - said victor Yushchenko.
At today’s press conference President Victor Yushchenko stressed that he insists that his suggestions were considered during adoption of alterations to 2008 budget.
He repeated that in his opinion main aim of the alterations should be compensating citizens their losses due to inflation. Besides, according to him, main economic indices should be refined and additional funds, available after their recalculation (around 30 billion hryvnyas) used evelopment of the economy.
“Find political support of the majority, from beyond the majority, find consolidation, adopt the state budget and give the opportunity to use these 30 billion hryvnyas for the good of national economy”, - he said addressing the parliamentary budgetary committee.
“The country can not live without the budget. We cannot afford living for six months with the highest inflation rates in Europe without adopting the budget:, - he added.
President Victor Yushchenko held a press conference today to summarize results of internal and external policy of the first half of 2008.
Speaking about cooperation with the European Union and particularly about the work on the new strengthened agreement between Ukraine and the EU President Yushchenko stressed that Ukraine is fully ready to come to a new level of relations with the organization.
According to him Ukraine have been conducting a very intensive dialogue with the EU lately. Since the beginning of the year our country and the EU had nine rounds of talks, resulting in agreement that the new document between Ukraine and the EU should be ambitious and embrace all dimensions of cooperation between the two sides.
Victor Yushchenko informed that now the part of the agreement regulating political, security, and legal cooperation is almost ready. Much progress was made in preparation of the economic part of the document too.
Besides, as President Victor Yushchenko noted, the results of June 22 meeting of the Council of the European Union were also favorable for Ukraine. At the meeting sides elaborated a common decision that the new agreement between Ukraine and the EU would contain term “association” in its name, further prospects for relations development and initiation of talks on canceling visas for Ukrainian citizens willing to travel to the EU countries.
“It is a consolidated position. To strengthen and develop it numerous bilateral meetings and talks must be held… and that what I will be doing for next to months to intensify that dialogue…”, - said President Yushchenko.
President Victor Yushchenko met today with representatives of All-Ukrainian Churches and religious organizations.
Speaking to those present Victor Yushchenko expressed assurance that celebration of the 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Rus would be an impulse towards unification among Ukrainian Orthodox Churches. “I am positive that by joining our efforts we will overcome all the problems, strengthen accord in our deeds and faith in our hearts”, - he added.
Victor Yushchenko also opined that worthy celebration of this significant date is a matter of honor for entire Ukraine and re-expressed hope that the events dedicated to 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Rus would be held in an atmosphere of solidarity and mutual understanding.
Addressing those present Victor Yushchenko thanked them for their efforts in development of Ukrainian statehood, religion and culture. “I am sincerely grateful for your contribution into development of Ukrainian nation, strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between different confessions and religions.
For their valuable efforts in development of spirituality in Ukraine, many years of prolific work and on the occasion of 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Kyivan Rus President Victor Yushchenko presented to the representatives of Ukrainian Churches, present at the meeting, with state awards.
President Victor Yushchenko met with the Chairman of Russia’s Gazprom Management Committee Alexey Miller. At the meeting President Yushchenko and Chairman Miller discussed cooperation between Gazprom and Naftogaz of Ukraine.
Speaking of the first half of the year of cooperation between Gazprom and Naftogaz Mr. Miller stressed that the work has been constructive and aimed at finding consensus. “With pleasure we note that we have been working good and constructively during the first half of 2008 and hope for further cooperation in such spirit”, - he said.
Besides Alexey Miller stressed that gas supplies and transit through Ukrainian territory comply with the schedule, approved earlier.
From his part Victor Yushchenko said that it was very important that the sides reached agreement not to politicize their relations and were able to elaborate clear principles of pricing and transit policy.
“It is our perspective and of course we would like it to be longer than a year or two and fixed as mutually beneficial relations”, - said President Yushchenko
Volumes of the Ukrainian industry production grew by 7.5 percent from January till June against the same period of 2007, at the same time, the growth was received by all types of industrial activities, the State Statistics Committee informed.
In the metallurgical complex, the volumes of production increased by 3.3 percent, an increase of cast iron makes up five percent, steel - four percent, total rolled metal - six percent and coke - 10 percent against the same period of 2007.
The machine-building complex has been working with a 29.3 percent growth in the first half of the year.
This was disclosed by
According to the Ukrainian minister, access to such information is an important direction on the way to decreasing corruptive risks. The Ukrainian Justice Ministry therefore means to introduce an efficient control system over enforcement and work of public executors.
In particular, M. Onishchuk specified that it is supposed to make it possible to receive information about open enforcement proceedings regarding debtors - legal and physical persons - entrepreneurs. Furthermore, a free access will be provided to information about distrained property which is transferred for realization in terms of compulsory enforcement.
President Victor Yushchenko met today with representatives of All-Ukrainian Churches and religious organizations.
Speaking to those present Victor Yushchenko expressed assurance that celebration of the 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Rus would be an impulse towards unification among Ukrainian Orthodox Churches. “I am positive that by joining our efforts we will overcome all the problems, strengthen accord in our deeds and faith in our hearts”, - he added.
Victor Yushchenko also opined that worthy celebration of this significant date is a matter of honor for entire Ukraine and re-expressed hope that the events dedicated to 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Rus would be held in an atmosphere of solidarity and mutual understanding.
Addressing those present Victor Yushchenko thanked them for their efforts in development of Ukrainian statehood, religion and culture. “I am sincerely grateful for your contribution into development of Ukrainian nation, strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between different confessions and religions.
For their valuable efforts in development of spirituality in Ukraine, many years of prolific work and on the occasion of 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Kyivan Rus President Victor Yushchenko presented to the representatives of Ukrainian Churches, present at the meeting, with state awards.
President Victor Yushchenko met with the Chairman of Russia’s Gazprom Management Committee Alexey Miller. At the meeting President Yushchenko and Chairman Miller discussed cooperation between Gazprom and Naftogaz of Ukraine.
Speaking of the first half of the year of cooperation between Gazprom and Naftogaz Mr. Miller stressed that the work has been constructive and aimed at finding consensus. “With pleasure we note that we have been working good and constructively during the first half of 2008 and hope for further cooperation in such spirit”, - he said.
Besides Alexey Miller stressed that gas supplies and transit through Ukrainian territory comply with the schedule, approved earlier.
From his part Victor Yushchenko said that it was very important that the sides reached agreement not to politicize their relations and were able to elaborate clear principles of pricing and transit policy.
“It is our perspective and of course we would like it to be longer than a year or two and fixed as mutually beneficial relations”, - said President Yushchenko
President Victor Yushchenko went to the Office of the Prosecutor General to testify in the case of his poisoning.
Speaking to journalists President Yushchenko said: “I am very interested in this case solved as soon as possible. I think we are witnesses to this case reaching its logical conclusion”.
Victor Yushchenko also emphasized that from his part he is ready to provide answers to all the questions of those, who are working on investigation.
At the joint press availability with the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, President Victor Yushchenko stressed assurance that the political part of the new agreement between Ukraine and the EU would be agreed upon already during the Twentieth Ukraine-EU Summit, scheduled on September 7th. During the following ten to twelve months, according to him, it would be also possible to reach agreement on the economic part of the agreement.
“We will be doing what we can to elaborate the project of free trade zone in 2009”, - Said Victor Yushchenko, adding that despite the great progress, reached on that direction, Ukraine perfectly understands that the question of agreement or association is complicated and sensible for the EU.
At his joint press availability with Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Victor Yushchenko stressed assurance that Ukraine is a reliable partner in transit of energy resources to the European Union.
“We are the country, which transits more than 80% of Russian natural gas to the EU and we understand how important this unique mission is. Therefore we will be carefully observing our obligations”, - said Victor Yushchenko.
He also said that Ukraine would want the EU to see its oil and gas transit systems as an integral part of the European energy market.
From her part Chancellor Merkel said that it would be reasonable to discuss establishment of a single network for transiting oil and gas from the Baltic to the Black and the Caspian seas. According to her there would be no reason speaking about plans of such energy resources transit system that would exclude Ukraine.
Following Ukrainian-German talks, President Victor Yushchenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held joint press availability.
In his statement President Yushchenko told the media that he is pleased with both today’s talks and overall relations development between Ukraine and Germany.
He informed that sides have discussed many questions important for both countries such as political dialogue, economic and trade cooperation Ukraine’s prospects of signing the new strengthened agreement with the EU, gaining NATO MAP, humanitarian cooperation, etc.
“I am pleased to note that when we are speaking about European integration, Ukraine’s perspectives … today we have a much more positive position and I am assured that the dialogue between Ukraine and Germany, including that on the subject, is very prolific”, - said Victor Yushchenko. He also stressed assurance that in the question of Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration our country and Germany would be able to find compromise as well.
Besides Victor Yushchenko informed that during the talks both sides expressed satisfaction about economic cooperation development. In addition he said that with aim of developing humanitarian cooperation he handed over to Angela Merkel the lists of citizens, who died during the Great Famine of 1932-1933 in eastern villages of Ukraine, which were inhabited by German descendants along with those interned in 1945-1954.
Summarizing his statement President Yushchenko thanked Chancellor Merkel for her visit to Ukraine and for the high levels of relations between Ukraine and Germany.
In her speech the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel stressed that Germany supports Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
She said that the new agreemnt between Ukraine and the EU would mean not only that on deeper cooperation, but on the association. “It is an important step, especially when it comes to economic relations between Ukraine and the EU”, - she said.
Chancellor Merkel also emphasized that Ukraine will join NATO, as it had been clearly stated at the Bucharest Summit. “The fundamental political decision on that question was made in Bucharest. I emphasize again that the third states, which are not members of the alliance, should neither have any influence on the subject, nor dispute or discuss it”, - said Angela Merkel. She also informed that she and Victor Yushchenko agreed to instruct the Foreign Ministers of both countries to elaborate a roadmap of Ukraine’s advance towards NATO membership.
Summarizing her address Chancellor Merkel reassured that Ukraine is an important partner for Germany and promised that her country would continue to follow the development of Ukraine and support our country to the best of ability.
President Victor Yushchenko wrote a letter today to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko drawing her and Government’s attention to some problems in municipal economy, particularly sector’s preparation to winter season.
Referring to the results of consultative meeting with regional administrations heads on the subject, held on July 7, President stressed that mainly, he and regional authorities are concerned about financial aspects of preparation to 2008-2009 heating season.
The distribution of budgetary funds for these needs, according to Victor Yushchenko’s opinion, is currently inadequate, as these funds are usually transferred to regions during November-December, which complicates using them effectively.
Here President together with Regional Administrations Heads suggested beginning financing already this summer.
President Victor Yushchenko welcomed the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel in Ukraine who came today to our country with a visit. The welcoming ceremony took part in Kyiv, in front of the Presidential Secretariat.
After that, President Yushchenko and Chancellor Merkel held tête-à-tête meeting in Horodetsky house during which they have discussed bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Germany.
President Yushchenko expressed hope that with the visit of Chancellor Merkel to Ukraine these ties would be deepening further. From her part Angela Merkel stressed that the relations between our countries are close in both political and economic aspects and that Germany is clearly interested in their development on both of these directions.
After the tête-à-tête meeting President Victor Yushchenko and Chancellor Angela Merkel opened Ukrainian-German talks. During these talks sides have focused on discussing European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, energy cooperation, preparation to holding EURO 2012 championship in Ukraine and possibility of German investors participating in the related projects, migration and visas policy, etc.
In Chernivtsi region President visited the construction site of Dnister River hydroelectric plant.
At the place President was informed about proceeding of construction and saw first hydro turbine of the plant on the final stage of its construction.
Speaking at the site President Yushchenko pointed to importance of appropriate and timely financing of all the stages of the construction. He also instructed Chernivtsi Regional Administration Head Volodymyr Kulish to elaborate proposals to President’s Decree on introduction of the State Program of Dniester hydro energy system development.
At the top of Hoverla mountain President Victor Yushchenko took part in opening of the monument “The Trident” and solemn flying of the Ukrainian flag.
In his word at the event President Yushchenko named Hoverla one of national symbols of Ukraine and praised the fact that today representatives from different regions came to the site. “We come to Hoverla to once again announce that we are united as a people and a nation. The people coming to Hoverla will never divide Ukraine into east and west, north or south. It is a major spiritual mission of today’s event, I think”, he added.
In Ivano-Frankivsk region President Victor Yushchenko climbed Hoverla, the highest mountain in Ukrainian Carpathians. In that trip President was accompanied by Presidential Secretariat staff, heads of regional administrations, deputies, politicians, representatives of different public organizations.
For Victor Yushchenko this climbing has become traditional with nearly 35 such trips behind him.
President Victor Yushchenko went to the Office of the Prosecutor General to testify in the case of his poisoning.
Speaking to journalists President Yushchenko said: “I am very interested in this case solved as soon as possible. I think we are witnesses to this case reaching its logical conclusion”.
Victor Yushchenko also emphasized that from his part he is ready to provide answers to all the questions of those, who are working on investigation.
July 23, 2008
12.00 Presidential Secretariat
Solemn meeting with members of All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and religious organizations.
July 25, 2008
10.00 - 11.00 Boryspil airport
Welcoming ceremony in honor of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
The event is broadcast live on Inter, 1+1, ICTV, Channel 1 and Channel 5.
11.30 - 12.00
Visit of the President of Ukraine and the Ecumenical Patriarch to Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.
12.15 - 12.45
Flower laying ceremony near the monuments to Olga of Kyiv, Cyril and Methodius, St. Andrew Protocletos, and St. Volodymyr.
16.30 - 17.30 Presidential Secretariat
Meeting of the President of Ukraine and the Ecumenical Patriarch with delegates from foreign churches.
18.00 - 19.00
Evening service in Saint Sophia Cathedral celebrating 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Rus with participation of the President of Ukraine and the Ecumenical Patriarch.
The event is broadcast live on Inter, 1+1, ICTV, Channel 1 and Channel 5.
Satellite parameters:
Sirius 4 at 4.8°E
Frequency: 12723,75
Vertical polarization
FEC 7\8
SR 3,333
July 26, 2008
11.00 - 13.15
Celebration of 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Rus at the square in front of Saint Sophia Cathedral.
The event is broadcast live on Inter, 1+1, ICTV, Channel 1 and Channel 5.
Satellite parameters:
Sirius 4 at 4.8°E
Frequency: 12723,75
Vertical polarization
FEC 7\8
SR 3,333
13.30 - 14.00
Requiem for those lost in Holodomor 1932-1933 with participation of the President of Ukraine. The service is conducted by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and representatives of Orthodox Churches of the world.
The event is broadcast live on Inter, 1+1, ICTV, Channel 1 and Channel 5.
Satellite parameters:
Sirius 4 at 4.8°E
Frequency: 12723,75
Vertical polarization
FEC 7\8
SR 3,333
16.30 - 17.30 The Ukrainian House
Opening of portrait gallery of the distinct Ukrainian figures, presentation of jubilee coins and post stamps.
20.00 - 21.30 National Preserve «Kyivan Sophia»
Festive reception by the President of Ukraine and the Ecumenical Patriarch.
July 27, 2008
8.30 - 11.00
Festive liturgy near the monument to St. Volodymyr on the occasion of 1020th anniversary of Christianization of Rus with participation of the President of Ukraine. The liturgy is conducted by the Ecumenical Patriarch, representatives of Orthodox Churches of the world.
The event is broadcast live on Inter, 1+1, ICTV, Channel 1 and Channel 5.
Satellite parameters:
Sirius 4 at 4.8°E
Frequency: 12723,75
Vertical polarization
FEC 7\8
SR 3,333
At the joint press availability with the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, President Victor Yushchenko stressed assurance that the political part of the new agreement between Ukraine and the EU would be agreed upon already during the Twentieth Ukraine-EU Summit, scheduled on September 7th. During the following ten to twelve months, according to him, it would be also possible to reach agreement on the economic part of the agreement.
“We will be doing what we can to elaborate the project of free trade zone in 2009”, - Said Victor Yushchenko, adding that despite the great progress, reached on that direction, Ukraine perfectly understands that the question of agreement or association is complicated and sensible for the EU.
At his joint press availability with Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Victor Yushchenko stressed assurance that Ukraine is a reliable partner in transit of energy resources to the European Union.
“We are the country, which transits more than 80% of Russian natural gas to the EU and we understand how important this unique mission is. Therefore we will be carefully observing our obligations”, - said Victor Yushchenko.
He also said that Ukraine would want the EU to see its oil and gas transit systems as an integral part of the European energy market.
From her part Chancellor Merkel said that it would be reasonable to discuss establishment of a single network for transiting oil and gas from the Baltic to the Black and the Caspian seas. According to her there would be no reason speaking about plans of such energy resources transit system that would exclude Ukraine.
Following Ukrainian-German talks, President Victor Yushchenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held joint press availability.
In his statement President Yushchenko told the media that he is pleased with both today’s talks and overall relations development between Ukraine and Germany.
He informed that sides have discussed many questions important for both countries such as political dialogue, economic and trade cooperation Ukraine’s prospects of signing the new strengthened agreement with the EU, gaining NATO MAP, humanitarian cooperation, etc.
“I am pleased to note that when we are speaking about European integration, Ukraine’s perspectives … today we have a much more positive position and I am assured that the dialogue between Ukraine and Germany, including that on the subject, is very prolific”, - said Victor Yushchenko. He also stressed assurance that in the question of Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration our country and Germany would be able to find compromise as well.
Besides Victor Yushchenko informed that during the talks both sides expressed satisfaction about economic cooperation development. In addition he said that with aim of developing humanitarian cooperation he handed over to Angela Merkel the lists of citizens, who died during the Great Famine of 1932-1933 in eastern villages of Ukraine, which were inhabited by German descendants along with those interned in 1945-1954.
Summarizing his statement President Yushchenko thanked Chancellor Merkel for her visit to Ukraine and for the high levels of relations between Ukraine and Germany.
In her speech the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel stressed that Germany supports Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
She said that the new agreemnt between Ukraine and the EU would mean not only that on deeper cooperation, but on the association. “It is an important step, especially when it comes to economic relations between Ukraine and the EU”, - she said.
Chancellor Merkel also emphasized that Ukraine will join NATO, as it had been clearly stated at the Bucharest Summit. “The fundamental political decision on that question was made in Bucharest. I emphasize again that the third states, which are not members of the alliance, should neither have any influence on the subject, nor dispute or discuss it”, - said Angela Merkel. She also informed that she and Victor Yushchenko agreed to instruct the Foreign Ministers of both countries to elaborate a roadmap of Ukraine’s advance towards NATO membership.
Summarizing her address Chancellor Merkel reassured that Ukraine is an important partner for Germany and promised that her country would continue to follow the development of Ukraine and support our country to the best of ability.
President Victor Yushchenko wrote a letter today to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko drawing her and Government’s attention to some problems in municipal economy, particularly sector’s preparation to winter season.
Referring to the results of consultative meeting with regional administrations heads on the subject, held on July 7, President stressed that mainly, he and regional authorities are concerned about financial aspects of preparation to 2008-2009 heating season.
The distribution of budgetary funds for these needs, according to Victor Yushchenko’s opinion, is currently inadequate, as these funds are usually transferred to regions during November-December, which complicates using them effectively.
Here President together with Regional Administrations Heads suggested beginning financing already this summer.
President Victor Yushchenko welcomed the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel in Ukraine who came today to our country with a visit. The welcoming ceremony took part in Kyiv, in front of the Presidential Secretariat.
After that, President Yushchenko and Chancellor Merkel held tête-à-tête meeting in Horodetsky house during which they have discussed bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Germany.
President Yushchenko expressed hope that with the visit of Chancellor Merkel to Ukraine these ties would be deepening further. From her part Angela Merkel stressed that the relations between our countries are close in both political and economic aspects and that Germany is clearly interested in their development on both of these directions.
After the tête-à-tête meeting President Victor Yushchenko and Chancellor Angela Merkel opened Ukrainian-German talks. During these talks sides have focused on discussing European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, energy cooperation, preparation to holding EURO 2012 championship in Ukraine and possibility of German investors participating in the related projects, migration and visas policy, etc.
At the top of Hoverla mountain President Victor Yushchenko took part in opening of the monument “The Trident” and solemn flying of the Ukrainian flag.
In his word at the event President Yushchenko named Hoverla one of national symbols of Ukraine and praised the fact that today representatives from different regions came to the site. “We come to Hoverla to once again announce that we are united as a people and a nation. The people coming to Hoverla will never divide Ukraine into east and west, north or south. It is a major spiritual mission of today’s event, I think”, he added.
In Ivano-Frankivsk region President Victor Yushchenko climbed Hoverla, the highest mountain in Ukrainian Carpathians. In that trip President was accompanied by Presidential Secretariat staff, heads of regional administrations, deputies, politicians, representatives of different public organizations.
For Victor Yushchenko this climbing has become traditional with nearly 35 such trips behind him.
On July 18 President Victor Yushchenko will go with working visit to Ivano-Frankivsk region.
President will climb Hoverla mountain, where he will open a new sculpture complex and fly the national flag.
President Victor Yushchenko sent his congratulations to agrarians of Kherson and Zaporizhya regions with harvesting the first million tons of grain.
“This success is a result of your professionalism and hard work”, - he said in his congratulation.
President Victor Yushchenko presented his congratulations to Ukrainian boxer Volodymyr Klytchko with victory in a fight with Tony Thomson which defended him IBF, IBO and WBO Champion title.
“We are proud of You as a great Ukrainian sportsman and patriot of your country”, - said Victor Yushchenko in his congratulation.
Another two launches are planned to be conducted by the end of the year within the Sea Launch program, Yuzhnoye State Design Office reported.
The first one is expected in autumn.
As reported, the Ukraine-Russia launch vehicle Zenit-3SL has today successfully orbited the
This was the fourth launch in frames of the Sea Launch program in 2008 and 28th from start of its implementation.
Sea Launch Company was created by Boeing (USA), Kvaerner ASA (Norway), RSC Energia (Russia), Yuzhnoye SDO/ Southern Machine-Building Plant (Ukraine).
In September, the European Commission will inspect
Experts say the export resumption to the EU could help sell a product surplus the dairymen piled up due to sunflower oil export quota that ran in
Despite lifting restrictions from the sunflower oil export in late May, export supplies were not large-scale and were mainly preformed by land transport, UkrOilProm head Stepan Kapshuk noted. According to him, no one took the risk of transporting via ports, taking into account the problems with the EU.
Based on preliminary data, the sunflower oil export totaled around 60,000 ton in June. Experts say if the export is unblocked to the EU, the figure will double.
About 50% of all export deliveries of sunflower oil from
At its July 15 meeting, the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council approved, among other questions, a mandate of the European Commission to hold talks with
The Energy Community Treaty which was concluded in July 2006 provides for development of intensive cooperation in energy area between the European Union and the South East European countries, Western Balkans in particular, a majority of which is deemed as potential EU candidates. The instrument covers a wide range of issues starting with creating a common energy market, approaching regulatory rules in energy area and finishing with achieving technological compatibility of energy networks and environmental protection standards.
With its yesterday's decision the Council of Ministers opened an avenue for the European Commission to holding negotiations on joining the Energy Community by
The U.S.-Georgian Immediate Response 2008 military exercise at the Vaziani military base near
The purpose of the exercise is gaining practical experience by its participants in the staff of the multinational headquarters during operations to ensure stability and support in high-risk zones, and using this experience during the fulfillment of tasks in the multinational peacekeeping contingent or multinational headquarters.
Ukrainian soldiers also work on the issues of receiving and analyzing tasks, drawing up their options for action, taking decisions, and fulfilling tasks in the multinational headquarters in accordance with NATO procedures.
The Immediate Response 2008 U.S.-Georgian military exercise, involving Azerbaijani and Armenian soldiers, will last until August 1.
Ukrainian military doctors and their Polish and
In a local school, the doctors rendered aid to around 100 residents of the village and nearby settlements within five hours.
The national contingent of the joint Ukrainian-Polish peacekeeping battalion UkrPolBat has fulfilled tasks in the Multinational Brigade East of KFOR troops from
The Zenit-3SL rocket with a
Zenit-3SL rocket is designed by Yuzhnoye State Design Office. The first and second stages were manufactured by production association Yuzhmashzavod in cooperation with Russian and Ukrainian companies. The third stage (booster block DM-SL) was developed and manufactured by Energia Rocket Space Corporation (
Sea Launch Company was created by Boeing (the
Director of the InterOceanMetal Ryszard Kotlinski noted the necessity of Ukraine's joining this organization with the aim of carrying out a number of works in the sphere of prospecting and mastering the World Ocean resources during a meeting with specialists of the Industrial Policy Ministry and leading Ukrainian scientific-research establishments that was held with Deputy Minister Serhiy Hryshchenko presiding.
Kotlinski noted that
The ministry's representatives noted in their turn that contracts in the designated sphere may be interesting for many enterprises of the machine building branch and the military-industrial complex, as well as for Ukrainian scientific-research establishments having experience of relevant technologies elaboration. The parties took a decision on development of cooperation and possible participation of Ukrainian industrial companies in mastering the
Gross grain yield will exceed forecast of 40.4 million tons, Agrarian Minister Yuriy Melnyk told a press-conference.
According to him, the index specification planned to be announced on July 17 is caused by the fact that ahead of the harvesting campaign all the estimates were based on data of sown areas available and a range of regions underestimated them in summary documents. However, now, when 10% cereals have been harvested, the situation has changed towards increase in results, the minister noted.
The Ukrainian government undertakes active measures in order to implement at the national and regional level the UN requirements to prevent the illicit trade in light weapons and small arms. The statement to this effect was made by Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksandr Horin at the UN Headquarters in New York when addressing the 3rd Meeting of the Countries to consider implementation of the UN Program of Action (2001) to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (SALW).
One of the key elements of
Taking into account threats the illicit trade in small arms poses to the national security, economic, social development of world's countries, the head of the Ukrainian delegation called on to continue in the UN frames discussing a range of issues of mediatory activity in SALW area and arms transfer control.
In particular, he refuted mass media information of July 14 about alleged changes in crossing the Ukrainian border by citizens having dual Ukrainian or Israeli citizenship.
In this connection Kyrylych said that in accordance with the Ukrainian Constitution and law on citizenship, Ukrainian citizens in case of obtaining another nationality remain
The official stressed there are no changes in visa relations between
Deutsche Welle reported July 14 that thousands of Ukrainian immigrants, who have left for
As many as 160,000 tons meat imported to
According to him the question is about unmarketable products which are not used for producing quality meat goods. Plenty of companies grew rich on that, he noted. Thus, having paid 10% of import duty, they bring in such a product and deliver it to meat-packing factories. "The same is with meat import to
He focused on the fact that border opening and coming-in import goods should be fair with regard to the Ukrainian producer so that peasants could work within a competitive environment.
German Ambassador to Ukraine Reinhard Schafers gave EUR 25,000 to Ukrainian public organizations for the implementation of three projects on the protection of human rights in
Summing up the results of the contest, which was initiated by the German Foreign Ministry this spring, Schafers noted the great interest of Ukrainian organizations in this contest. One of the winners of the contest was the Cherkasy regional committee of soldiers' mothers, which, jointly with the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, will draw up mechanisms for ensuring human rights in the Ukrainian army.
The committee's head, Svitlana Kasian, told Deutsche Welle about the committee's plans to introduce the institute of authorized persons to resolve internal conflicts. But the main thing, she said, is informing soldiers about international conventions, Ukrainian laws and other guarantees to their human rights.
"These are not the talks on concessions, this is formation of an integration plan," he said.
The deputy minister noted that
On
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will make a working visit to
"
President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Borys Paton and Head of the State Agency of Ukraine for Investments and Innovations Viktor Ivchenko have signed a cooperation agreement, the academy's presidium reported.
The academy and the agency are planning to put forward joint proposals on raising non-budget funds to finance scientific, scientific-technical and innovation activities.
They also plan to create a venture fund with the participation of the state, the state innovation and investment bank and the state financial institution of municipal development, scientific parks in accordance with legal strategic directions of innovation activities, implement innovations and raise investment in regions.
Chairman of the Crimean Council of Ministers Viktor Plakida and British Ambassador to Ukraine Leigh Turner discussed perspectives of cooperation in the resort-recreational sphere.
During a meeting, they also discussed cooperation in the energy and transport spheres, issues of the visa regime and development of interethnic relations on the peninsula.
Speaking about attraction of investments into the Crimean economy, the Crimean Council of Ministers Chairman paid attention to possibility of investing the funds into construction and reconstruction of highways, participation in modernization and expansion of the international airport Simferopol, and solving the issues of the water supply and the drainage system.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Polish President Lech Kaczynski have noted the unity of opinion in the diversification of gas supplies to
Tymoshenko said that during the talks, the two countries had confirmed their readiness for strategic cooperation. "I want to thank the Polish president for his country persistently and knowingly bringing
Business structures purchased over 100 land plots with total square of 70.6 ha located along the Kyiv-Chop international transport corridor in five districts of Rivne region (West Ukraine) for establishment of the restaurant-hotel service. The local authorities initiated setting up of such tourist recreations.
According to head of culture and tourism department Yaroslav Melnyk, sport fans will follow this way from the European countries during Euro-2012.
Under the projects, among other recreation facilities, new owners will also establish agricultural farmsteads. Their prototypes already exist nearby highways as well as in other parts of the region. Here, the hosts offer excursion service, familiarization with authentic Polissya traditions and music folk art as well as living facilities.
Leadership of
The meeting participants discussed a range of practical issues related to bilateral cooperation of the intelligence agencies and fulfillment of common coordinated measures intended to support the national interests and Ukraine's state policy in economic, political, military, military-technical, environmental and information areas, the Defense Ministry press-service reported.
A common position was elaborated regarding distribution of powers, information exchange, settlement of staff issues and establishment of interaction between the intelligence agencies.
An accord was reached on further joint work to develop an efficient model of