Opening the morning sitting of the Parliament, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Lytvyn announced that the Prime Minister of Ukraine, government members, Head and judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, Prosecutor General, Head of the High Administrative Court, Head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Head of the Accounting Chamber, Ombudsperson of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Head of the Central Election Commission, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Head of the State Property Fund, Head of the Anti-Monopoly Committee, Head of the High Council of Justice, Head of the State Committee on Television and Radio Broadcasting, Head of The Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Head of the Ministerial Council of Crimea, heads of regional councils and administrations, representatives of the diplomatic corps were present at the session.
President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych delivered an Annual Address to The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine "On the Domestic and Foreign Situation of Ukraine in 2011."
The President of Ukraine stated, "A year ago, immediately after the presidential elections, I addressed the Ukrainian nation, outlining the future action plan in economy, humanitarian sector, domestic and foreign policy. I made a forthright statement that changes facing our society require concerted efforts, trust and patience. I also stressed that our choice modernization of Ukraine is irreversible." V. Yanukovych declared that policy of drastic transformations would be implemented under the conditions of global instability, new crises and threats "which should be duly prevented and taken into account."
"Global changes temper the strong. From this lectern, I would like to appeal to every Ukrainian: stop complaining and humbling yourself. Ukraine is a powerful and ambitious state. It is high time we demonstrated the Ukrainian nature, proving to ourselves and the world that Ukraine is a country-leader," V. Yanukovych stressed.
Dwelling upon the capacities and outlooks of economic modernization, the President stated that industrial and scientific potential of our state is unutilized. However, Ukraine has a unique geographic location, which arranges ideal conditions for placing productions aimed at both the EU market and the Eurasian region. "Ukraine is a leader by the reserves of black soil, and has the prerequisites for agrarian leadership in the modern world. Still, powerful human capital assets are essential. Despite the crisis in the educational system, we still have a full-fledged system of professional training. National academic and university science has a great potential. There is a large pool of educated and professional labour power," stated V. Yanukovych, underscoring that these advantages form a basis for the development strategy till the year 2020.
However, assessing the work of the government institutions, the President admitted, "We managed to implement no more than one third of ideas and plans for 2010." Analyzing poor efficiency of the authorities, V. Yanukovych stressed, "Red-tape government machine, which survived under any power, is mechanically trying to preserve its customary methods of governance, administrative capacities, and corruptive schemes of shady earnings. Big and small national business adopted a wait-and-see attitude of either critic or observer. Even the business protests were rather a critical response to the Government´s actions than a meaningful suggestion with specific and well-grounded action plans for the authorities." The President called for ceasing procrastination and inertia, and overcoming politicians´ confusion and bureaucratic sabotage. "The demand for quality changes is the key requirement for the authorities, business and public," summed up V. Yanukovych.