The twentieth anniversary of independence and attitude to this event show our understanding of the historical role of Ukraine, our unity with the country and the nation, our participation in the state building and consolidation of the Ukrainian nation.
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, made this statement, speaking at the Grand Assembly of the Parliament dedicated to the 20th anniversary of proclamation of the independence of Ukraine.
"It confirms the ability to cast an objective look on the whole country its history, economy, territory and people," he stated. "I guarantee that we will then make more objective conclusions and assessments, discover lots of useful facts and warnings. There will be less moaning and complaining. There will be more pride."
According to the Head of the Parliament, "Ukraine is a complex country." "It is sensitive to criticism. We should realize and understand it. But it is our country. And we have to be proud of our country, like we are of our parents. One can not develop if everything is believed to be negative," V.Lytvyn admitted.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed that the Independence Act, as well as the Declaration of State Sovereignty, were adopted owing to the will, responsibility, and understanding of the historic moment by the deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of the first convocation. "They felt inevitability of the historic moment, relied on the public mood and realized it by their seminal resolution. This resolution was later ratified at the all-Ukrainian referendum," the Head of the Parliament stated.
V.Lytvyn thanked the founders of the Ukrainian State, and asked the People´s Deputies and the guests to stand up in honour of 97 People´s Deputies of the first convocation who passed away, as well as "the known and unknown fighters for the future of Ukraine who lived, defended and developed the country."
"The lessons of a twenty-year-long state development and the tasks for the future require responsible acts from the Verkhovna Rada and all of us. They demand collective leadership. Leadership not in the proclamation of political formula, but in the implementation of fundamental principles which lie in the basis of the civilized world and Ukrainian soul," the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine declared.