Volodymyr Lytvyn: It is Necessary to invest into the Program of National-Cultural Identity Preservation
On Monday,
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Lytvyn met the
representatives of the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council (UWCC) headed by
the Chairman of the Council People´s Deputy of ІІ, ІІІ, ІV convocations Mykhailo Ratushniak.
The participants of the meeting discussed legislative regulation of the status of foreign Ukrainians, budgetary support of activity of Ukrainian communities abroad, and satisfaction of national-cultural, information, socio-humanitarian, and language needs of the Ukrainians.
Members of the UWCC presidium attach great importance to the preservation of national-cultural identity and intellectual potential in the period of globalization. They suggested amending the applicable legislation.
M. Ratushniak recommended amending the law "On the Legal Status of Foreign Ukrainians." Amendments to this law will let improve and extend the legislative base of Ukraine in the sphere of cooperation with the foreign Ukrainians, formalize the functions of coordination and cooperation of central executive authorities in the sphere of assistance and financial support of foreign Ukrainians, strengthen legal protection of fellow citizens, allow acquisition of citizenship under a simplified procedure, and provide for a full use of spiritual, cultural and scientific potential of foreign Ukrainians for the sake of consolidation of Ukraine´s positive image.
Having approved the resolution of the recent Forum of Ukrainians in Kyiv, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated that implementation of the planned program largely depends on financial support. "This program needs investments, which will be decisive for the realization of the plans," V.Lytvyn declared. He stated that he is always trying to meet Ukrainian diaspora abroad, listen to their problems, and exchange information. The Head of the Parliament warned against cutting down expenses for the national-cultural programs of foreign Ukrainians.
Discussing the "language
issue" in Ukraine, V.Lytvyn stressed that the Ukrainian language shall develop.
Along these lines, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine called for publishing a new
modern Ukrainian dictionary, which needs targeted budget allocation. Scientific
aspect is no less important in this matter.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine called for developing a national report on the language issues in Ukraine. "I suppose that such a document should show a condition, opportunities, and perspectives of language in Ukraine, as well as dependence of the Ukrainian state on the language status," he stated.
V.Lytvyn stressed that other countries devote great attention to the language issues in their humanitarian policy. He gave an example of France and Germany which hold forums and conferences, and support development of the national language financially. "Economies of the countries have an international character, while nations and states differ by spirit. Spirit is the language," V.Lytvyn emphasized. "The matter is to get through to the hearts."