Culture Ministry: 59 Berlin International Film Festival opens and will see 5 Ukrainian films

Today the curtain will rise for the 59-th Berlin International Film Festival, Berlinale. From over 6 thousand of films, forwarded to the festival, organizers have chosen 300 best ones, among which are 5 Ukrainian creations, filmed at the state support.

They are, namely, a new Kira Muratova film A Melody for Hand Organ, the Roman Balayan Birds of Paradise, a debut of Marina Kondratyeva Once I Will Awake, a documentary The Alive by Serhii Bukovsky and animated full-length film Adventures of the Brave Soldier Svejk.

During Berlinale-59 a presentation of the program of Ukrainian documentaries and a new bilingual catalog Ukrainian films 2008-09 will take place.

The festival will run through February 15.

President signs alterations to the law on participants of military operations

President Victor Yushchenko has approved alteration to the laws of Ukraine on burial of military operations’ participants and on social protection of their families, which had passed the vote of the Verkhovna Rada on January 15.

At the same time in his letter to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko President Yushchenko drew attention to the fact that the new alterations foresee free burial services for all the participants of military operations therefore requiring increase of financing to local authorities.

The President requested the Prime Minister to solve this problem and provide the required additional funds to local authorities when the new alterations enter into force.

President meets Director of the IMF's European Department

President Victor Yushchenko met today with Director of the IMF's European Department Marek Belka.

At the meeting sides have discussed further cooperation between Ukraine and the IMF, particularly fund’s recommendations on development of Ukrainian economy in 2009.

Making comments on current situation in Ukrainian economy President Yushchenko said affirmed that our country has problems in budgetary policy and payment liabilities. “The political will is needed to approve strong decisions regarding macroeconomic parameters”, - he said.

From his part Marek Belka said that his visit to Ukraine in addition to already working IMF Mission in the country should be regarded as “sign of serious problems in development of Ukrainian economy and implementation of our common program”. The most important issue here he named balancing budgetary expenses and incomes.

President visits Kyiv National Cancer Institute

On the occasion of World Cancer Day President Victor Yushchenko visited Kyiv National Cancer Institute.

At the meeting with institute staff President Yushchenko expressed “gratitude from Ukrainian State and every citizen” to professionals of the center for “their sacred mission”.

He also said “the fight against cancer is international and goes on beyond any state borders”. That is why, he reminded, Ukraine signed The Charter of Paris Against Cancer in 2007 that obliged our country to prepare national strategy of fighting the illness.

Addressing the medics President Yushchenko called upon them to actively share their experience with their colleagues in the regions. “We should do everything for our National Cancer Institute to become the first facility in Ukraine, which leads the whole national strategy in the field”, - he said.

After his address the president presented national awards to the staff and visited children’s oncology ward, and construction of the new surgery ward.

President holds consultative meeting on protection of property rights

President Yushchenko held a consultative meeting on protection of property rights with NSDC Secretary Raisa Bohatyryova, Prosecutor General Oleksandr Medvedko, acting Security Service Head Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, First Deputy Chief of President’s Staff Oleksandr Shlapak, Supreme Council of Justice Head Lidia Izotova, representatives of the Cabinet, State Property Fund, experts, etc.

In his opening word President Yushchenko said that in the times of uneasy economic situation the number of cases of illegal repartition of property has increased, particularly with enterprises. “Raider attacks have reached such scale that it really threatens economic security in the whole sectors. The society looses feeling of private property inviolability. Out of all mergers and take-overs 70% are illegal”. said Victor Yushchenko.

According to the President due to that enterprises’ functioning is destabilized, workers loose their jobs and investment climate is worsening.

As main causes for the situation President Yushchenko named wakness of legal system, delays in adoption of relevant legislative acts, absence of procedures for the state to interfere effectively into the process, corruption in state authorities.

Victor Yushchenko emphasized that it is important to elaborate and approve a new State program of privatization and also suggested that those present prepared their suggestions in two weeks term to draft Presidential Decree on the abovementioned issues. “This will be a document of direct action”, - he said.

Meeting with Marek Belka

On February 4 President Yushchenko shall meet Director of the IMF's European Department Marek Belka.

NSDC meeting

On February 6 President Yushchenko will gather National Security and Defense Council meeting.