President Yushchenko: It is possible that Party of Regions and BYuT announce coalition tomorrow

President Victor Yushchenko thinks it is possible that on Tuesday, June 2, a coalition of Party of Regions and BYuT will be declared in Parliament. He said that in an interview to Ukrainian journalists in the Vatican.

He said he was aware of the consultation, which is actively conducted, and the creation of a ‘secret group’, which has developed the association of these two political forces.

At the same time, Victor Yushchenko stressed that as head of state he is interested in only one thing - the coalition in the Verkhovna Rada must be based on legal principles formulated in the Constitution. He said that the goal of the coalition has to be finding ways of joining the formation of European independent democratic Ukraine rather than apportioning “mission and status for next 15 years” between two persons. “In my opinion, this is difficult, I would say a utopian task for these people”, - he said.

The President also expressed opinion that obviously the coalition between Party of Regions and BYUT is possible only if it is secured by revision of the Constitution and introduction of in-parliament presidential election. “If it is so, I think it would be essentially betrayal of democratic values, and declaration of non-European and undemocratic course of the country. This is a serious change in domestic policy and external vector. In other words, it can be described as a constitutional coup”, - said Victor Yushchenko.

President honors memory of Pope John Paul II

Within the framework of his one-day official visit to Vatican City President Victor Yushchenko together with his wife Kateryna Yushchenko visited the grave of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica.

They put flowers to the grave honoring memory of Pope John Paul II.

President meets Vatican Secretary of State

Within the framework of his one-day official visit to Vatican City President Victor Yushchenko met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

At the meeting sides have discussed bilateral relations between Ukraine and the State of the Vatican City

President Yushchenko has audience with Pope Benedict XVI

Within the framework of his one-day official visit to Vatican City President Victor Yushchenko had an audience with Pope Benedict XVI.

After the audience President Yushchenko met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

President goes with the official visit to Vatican City

President Victor Yushchenko and his wife Kateryna Yushchenko went with the official visit to the State of the Vatican City.

President meets NBU Chairman, Security Service Head

Before departing to Vatican, at Boryspil airport President Viktor Yushchenko met with National Bank Chairman Volodymyr Stelmakh and Security Service Head Valentyn Nalyvaichenko.

At the meeting sides have discussed fighting corruption in the banking sector.

President signs decree supporting agrarian sector

President Victor Yushchenko has signed the Presidential Decree ‘On measures aimed at improving financial situation of the agrarian sector of economy and development of animal husbandry”.