English
Ukrainian
Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Singapore
                              The 16th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence
                                                                    (Press-release)

     On August 1991 the Ukrainian Parliament, Verkhovna Rada, declared Ukraine’s
independence. The decision of people’s deputies was supported at the national referendum
by more than 90% of country’s citizens.
     Because of different reasons patriotic efforts to establish the Ukrainian state in the XX
century were winning only for limited periods of time. Therefore, the significance of this date
for every Ukrainian citizen signifies Ukraine’s state viability.
     Time passed and new generations of Ukrainians grew up. For them the notion
“independent Ukraine” became  axiomatic together with “human rights”, “freedom of
speech and religion”, “national interests”.
     Every year this day marks a new reference point, a measurement of achievements and
challenges. And the year 2007 is no exception.
Ukraine celebrates its 16th anniversary of  independence with new achievements in
domestic and foreign policy.
     In  political sphere the drastically new factor of Ukraine’s political life, constitutional
reform, laid the ground for harmonization of the Ukrainian law with the world and European
democratic standards. Redistribution of the powers between executive and legislative
branches is to create the system of effective state management,  which is able to conduct
political, economic and social reforms, determined by people’s will.
     Today Ukraine is facing pre-term elections to the national parliament, which are to
confirm once more the inevitability of democratic transformations and Ukraine’s
advancement in  strengthening of civil society.
      In the first half year of 2007 key economic indicators showed stable positive dynamics:
average monthly GDP growth reached 7,9% (one of the highest indicators among the
European and CIS countries), the industrial output  - 12%, investment growth dynamics –
32,2%. This year Ukraine experienced the lowest level of unemployment – 2,6%.
     Our country is at the final stage of its accession process to the WTO, a step that is
needed for Ukraine’s integration in the world economic system.  
     Ukraine has strengthened its positions in foreign policy field as an equal subject of
international relations. Our state’s policy is coherent and foreseeable nowadays. We are
building mutually beneficial relations with our partners on the principles of good
neighborhood.
     This is the concluding year for implementation of the Ukraine-EU Plan of Actions, the
roadmap of the Eurointegration-driven reforms in Ukraine. The aim of the Ukrainian state is
to provide due implementation of the tasks, assumed by our country under this document.
Furthermore, Ukraine and  the EU are negotiating the preparation of a new enhanced
Agreement and creation of a free trade zone.
     Looking back at the one more year of Ukraine’s independence, we cannot omit  
mentioning of winning Ukraine-Poland application to host Euro-2012.
     August, 24, – Ukraine’s independence day – is the date, which 16 years ago marked the
long-aspired starting point for millions of Ukrainians in all parts of the world, which enabled
them to look into future with confidence.