th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941 – 1945 was held under chairmanship of President Viktor Yanukovych.
The President expressed his firm belief that the preparation and holding the Victory anniversary should primary focus on strengthening state care for the elderly, disabled people, combatants and war widows. "This applies to providing social protection to war veterans and creating favorable conditions for their active longevity", noted the Head of State.
The President reminded that he had already instructed the representatives of central and local authorities to solve urgent issues related to preparations for the celebration of the Victory Day, commemoration of the victims and holding of interstate activities.
"Positive dynamics of our joint action can already be observed. I always keep in touch with those responsible", said Viktor Yanukovych. In this context he praised coordinated and efficient work of the Cabinet, in particular, elaboration of a number of social measures and preparation of the State Program 2011-2015 on providing social and health care to war veterans.
"I endorse the decision to increase social benefits to war veterans on the Victory Day, but I think it is only the beginning. The next steps should be specific and concerted actions of central and local authorities and all concerned government institutions to improve the lives of our most respected compatriots. They fully deserve it", said the President.
Viktor Yanukovych drew particular attention to the need to preserve people's memory of the feats of millions of our heroes.
In this regard, the President emphasized the importance of making well-thought-through decisions. "Our goal is to unite the people of Ukraine. By May 9 we must take care of memorials, monuments to fallen soldiers and war burial places, as well as intensify the search work on identifying the fallen and missing", said Viktor Yanukovych.
The Head of State stressed the urgent need to solve all legal and organizational issues in holding military parades in the hero-cities of Kyiv, Kerch, Odessa and Sevastopol.
The President has also emphasized the importance of the "Victory Train" project. According to him, foreign, defense, health, transport and communication ministers and Chairman of the State Committee on Veterans' Affairs are to immediately coordinate all the organizational matters with relevant agencies of Russia and Belarus, and to develop programs of veterans’ stay in each of the cities, etc. Viktor Yanukovych also reminded that appropriate agreements were reached by Presidents of the three states.
The Head of State called for organizing public salutations to the veterans at the railway stations of the cities the "Victory Train" will stop in. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with Kyiv city authorities must ensure participation of foreign veterans’ delegations in the events as well as their worthy reception in Ukraine.
"These are key issues requiring urgent response. I’m sure together we will make all necessary decisions", said the President.
