Ukraine. Twelve years of independence.
On 24 August 2003 Ukraine will celebrate the twelfth anniversary of its independence. The recent years
were filled with intense work aimed at further development of Ukrainian statehood, the strengthening of its
political, socio-economic and cultural potential, establishment of its positive image on the international
stage.
Our country has been actively integrating with the European and Euro-Atlantic structures, developing good
relations with its neighbours. Throughout all those years Ukraine has maintained civil peace, has managed
to avoid civil conflicts which often accompany radical socio-political changes. The stable rates of growth
of the national economy, one of the highest among the Eastern European countries, convincingly
demonstrate that Ukraine has overcome the negative consequences of the transitional period.
Internal developments
Last year was marked by strengthening of positive trends in political end economic life of Ukraine. The
stability of the country’s internal political development along with the positive dynamics of economic and
social transformations testify to the validity of political and economic steps undertaken by the Ukrainian
Government in fulfilment of the tasks set out in the Cabinet of Ministers’ Programme of Activity.
The establishment of relations that would root the values of developed democracies in the country’s
political and economic life is one of the most topical issues in today’s Ukraine. This is the aim of the
current constitutional reform. Its strategic objective, first of all, is ensuring coordinated and responsible
activity of the legislative and executive powers, democratisation of all spheres of public life, consolidation
of the fundamental principles of the civil society. The important principle of the political reform is the
establishment of constitutional mechanisms of interaction between the executive and legislative power and
formation of effective coalition government.
The first coalition government of the independent Ukraine, which was formed on the basis of the
parliamentary majority, has proved its ability to solve, in collaboration with the Verkhovna Rada, the
complicated issues of the country’s internal life. Among the most significant developments of the recent
period is the parliamentary approval of the Programme of Activity of the Cabinet of Ministers, backed by
the majority of deputies’ factions and groups. Its practical realisation on the basis of the 2003 budget
ensures full funding of all planned social and development programmes. The direct consequence of the
effective co-operation between the Parliament and the Government is the notable acceleration of
economic growth. According to the results of the first six months of the year 2003, the GDP growth rate in
Ukraine was 7,5%; industrial output has grown by 12%; the exports have increased by 27%; the bank
crediting – by 17%; the income of the population – approximately by 11%.
The macroeconomic and financial stability are maintained on a good level; the national debt is decreasing,
the country’s gold reserves are being replenished; economy crediting is growing; the state budget is
fulfilled; the co-operation with the international financial institutions has intensified; there has been an
increase in foreign investment. All this is an indisputable result of the market transformation of Ukraine’s
economy. High economic dynamics and predictable internal situation in Ukraine have gained positive
assessment from the leading international rating agencies, which have recently updated Ukraine’s rating
from negative to stable.
The adoption of over 174 new laws have exemplified the constructive co-operation between the legislative
and executive branches of power and become an important incentive for accelerating the pace of the
country’s economic and social development. More than the half of those bills was initiated by the
Government. Undoubtedly, the reforming of taxation and pension systems as well as the adoption of Civil
and Commercial codes became an important milestone.
Foreign policy of Ukraine
Since independence, Ukraine has sought to become a full member of the European community, deepening
its relations with the EU. The “European Choice” address by President Leonid Kuchma outlined the
Ukraine’s Euro-integration strategy as well as concrete steps for progress towards the membership of the
EU. The efforts for bringing the Ukrainian legislation in line with the EU standards in the priority spheres
have intensified. The Euro-integration idea, which is gaining further ground among the Ukrainian public, has
gradually become the factor of not only external, but also the internal policy of Ukraine.
The official declaration of Ukraine’s course towards NATO membership and participation in shaping the
all-European security is of great importance. The conclusion of Ukraine-NATO Action Plan and Target
Plan for 2003 underlined the Alliance’s effective backing of Ukraine’s course towards Euro-Atlantic
integration. Considering the closeness of these documents to the membership action plans, their realisation
actually starts the country’s practical preparation for joining NATO.
There are in place all objective preconditions for Ukraine’s obtaining the WTO membership in the near
future (by 2004). The step will be a part of a comprehensive socio-economic strategy, directed at building
an efficient, competitive economy, one of important prerequisites for perspective establishment of a free-
trade zone between Ukraine and the EU. The Government has taken a number of measures aimed at
resolving the issue of granting Ukraine the status of market economy, which will represent another step
towards the integration into the global economy.
Ongoing are the efforts to create the free-trade zone within the CIS which will allow to create the most
favourable conditions to meet the economic interests of the Ukrainian producers. The step is expected to
have a positive effect on the Ukrainian economy, improve the well-being of its people and thus become
one of the motives for accelerating Ukraine’s progress towards the European integration and entering
WTO.
Ukrainian public is well aware of the current realities of the World, the necessity of jointly counteracting
the new global threats and international terrorism. Our position is clear – we have always advocated the
adherence to with the norms of international law, the strengthening of the UN role in solving the problems
of international security and creating the social and economic conditions for preventing dangerous and
destructive processes in the current global development.
Ukraine’s decision to send an NBC battalion to Kuwait as well as the participation of the Ukrainian
military continent in the stabilisation of Iraq have demonstrated out country’s willingness to contribute to
the consolidation of peace and security in the Middle East.
The new stage of internal reforms in Ukraine is aimed at deep systematic transformations in the country’s
life, which would correspond to the standards of a democratic state with the rule of law and socially-
oriented market economy. Ukraine’s economic strategy is becoming more pragmatic, free of politicization,
ideological patterns and stereotypes. It creates conditions for successful integration of Ukraine into the
global economy as a country with competitive economy, able to solve the most complex tasks of its
development.
were filled with intense work aimed at further development of Ukrainian statehood, the strengthening of its
political, socio-economic and cultural potential, establishment of its positive image on the international
stage.
Our country has been actively integrating with the European and Euro-Atlantic structures, developing good
relations with its neighbours. Throughout all those years Ukraine has maintained civil peace, has managed
to avoid civil conflicts which often accompany radical socio-political changes. The stable rates of growth
of the national economy, one of the highest among the Eastern European countries, convincingly
demonstrate that Ukraine has overcome the negative consequences of the transitional period.
Internal developments
Last year was marked by strengthening of positive trends in political end economic life of Ukraine. The
stability of the country’s internal political development along with the positive dynamics of economic and
social transformations testify to the validity of political and economic steps undertaken by the Ukrainian
Government in fulfilment of the tasks set out in the Cabinet of Ministers’ Programme of Activity.
The establishment of relations that would root the values of developed democracies in the country’s
political and economic life is one of the most topical issues in today’s Ukraine. This is the aim of the
current constitutional reform. Its strategic objective, first of all, is ensuring coordinated and responsible
activity of the legislative and executive powers, democratisation of all spheres of public life, consolidation
of the fundamental principles of the civil society. The important principle of the political reform is the
establishment of constitutional mechanisms of interaction between the executive and legislative power and
formation of effective coalition government.
The first coalition government of the independent Ukraine, which was formed on the basis of the
parliamentary majority, has proved its ability to solve, in collaboration with the Verkhovna Rada, the
complicated issues of the country’s internal life. Among the most significant developments of the recent
period is the parliamentary approval of the Programme of Activity of the Cabinet of Ministers, backed by
the majority of deputies’ factions and groups. Its practical realisation on the basis of the 2003 budget
ensures full funding of all planned social and development programmes. The direct consequence of the
effective co-operation between the Parliament and the Government is the notable acceleration of
economic growth. According to the results of the first six months of the year 2003, the GDP growth rate in
Ukraine was 7,5%; industrial output has grown by 12%; the exports have increased by 27%; the bank
crediting – by 17%; the income of the population – approximately by 11%.
The macroeconomic and financial stability are maintained on a good level; the national debt is decreasing,
the country’s gold reserves are being replenished; economy crediting is growing; the state budget is
fulfilled; the co-operation with the international financial institutions has intensified; there has been an
increase in foreign investment. All this is an indisputable result of the market transformation of Ukraine’s
economy. High economic dynamics and predictable internal situation in Ukraine have gained positive
assessment from the leading international rating agencies, which have recently updated Ukraine’s rating
from negative to stable.
The adoption of over 174 new laws have exemplified the constructive co-operation between the legislative
and executive branches of power and become an important incentive for accelerating the pace of the
country’s economic and social development. More than the half of those bills was initiated by the
Government. Undoubtedly, the reforming of taxation and pension systems as well as the adoption of Civil
and Commercial codes became an important milestone.
Foreign policy of Ukraine
Since independence, Ukraine has sought to become a full member of the European community, deepening
its relations with the EU. The “European Choice” address by President Leonid Kuchma outlined the
Ukraine’s Euro-integration strategy as well as concrete steps for progress towards the membership of the
EU. The efforts for bringing the Ukrainian legislation in line with the EU standards in the priority spheres
have intensified. The Euro-integration idea, which is gaining further ground among the Ukrainian public, has
gradually become the factor of not only external, but also the internal policy of Ukraine.
The official declaration of Ukraine’s course towards NATO membership and participation in shaping the
all-European security is of great importance. The conclusion of Ukraine-NATO Action Plan and Target
Plan for 2003 underlined the Alliance’s effective backing of Ukraine’s course towards Euro-Atlantic
integration. Considering the closeness of these documents to the membership action plans, their realisation
actually starts the country’s practical preparation for joining NATO.
There are in place all objective preconditions for Ukraine’s obtaining the WTO membership in the near
future (by 2004). The step will be a part of a comprehensive socio-economic strategy, directed at building
an efficient, competitive economy, one of important prerequisites for perspective establishment of a free-
trade zone between Ukraine and the EU. The Government has taken a number of measures aimed at
resolving the issue of granting Ukraine the status of market economy, which will represent another step
towards the integration into the global economy.
Ongoing are the efforts to create the free-trade zone within the CIS which will allow to create the most
favourable conditions to meet the economic interests of the Ukrainian producers. The step is expected to
have a positive effect on the Ukrainian economy, improve the well-being of its people and thus become
one of the motives for accelerating Ukraine’s progress towards the European integration and entering
WTO.
Ukrainian public is well aware of the current realities of the World, the necessity of jointly counteracting
the new global threats and international terrorism. Our position is clear – we have always advocated the
adherence to with the norms of international law, the strengthening of the UN role in solving the problems
of international security and creating the social and economic conditions for preventing dangerous and
destructive processes in the current global development.
Ukraine’s decision to send an NBC battalion to Kuwait as well as the participation of the Ukrainian
military continent in the stabilisation of Iraq have demonstrated out country’s willingness to contribute to
the consolidation of peace and security in the Middle East.
The new stage of internal reforms in Ukraine is aimed at deep systematic transformations in the country’s
life, which would correspond to the standards of a democratic state with the rule of law and socially-
oriented market economy. Ukraine’s economic strategy is becoming more pragmatic, free of politicization,
ideological patterns and stereotypes. It creates conditions for successful integration of Ukraine into the
global economy as a country with competitive economy, able to solve the most complex tasks of its
development.
Since December 2002!
| Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Singapore |
| Посольство України в Республіці Сінгапур |