09 January 2009, 17:30
Mykola Tomenko: 2009 will be the year of overcoming the crisis and struggle for the President´s office
At the internet-conference at "LihaBiznesInform", Mykola Tomenko, Vice-Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, summarized the events of 2008 and predicted possible events to determine 2009. Thus, he stated that 2008 was a year of a certain political and socio-economic paradox for Ukraine, and the current year would become the year of overcoming the crisis and struggle for the office of the President of Ukraine.
Commenting upon the "irony" of the last year, Mykola Tomenko stated that in 2008 Ukraine had one of the highest increments in the GDP and the heavy crop in agriculture. However, under the influence of circumstances, it barely concluded the year with the budget being realized.
Therefore, it is rather obvious that 2009 will be the year for correction of such paradoxes the year of overcoming financial and economic crisis and struggle for the President´s office. It is these two issues that will determine political life of Ukraine in the current year.
As far as the overcoming of the financial and economic crisis is concerned, Mykola Tomenko is convinced that our country is able provide a timely response to all the challenges, and the Parliament´s activity for the last weeks of December has proved that The Verkhovna Rada jointly with the Government is able to respond to the difficult situation in Ukraine and in the world.
"As far as the presidential campaign is concerned, it will definitely be tough. However, this campaign should be concluded till the end of 2009. Therefore, it is necessary that the socio-economic and political crisis end in 2009, and a new President send greetings to us on the occasion of a new 2010", - stated Mykola Tomenko.
Answering the journalists´ questions concerning possibility of holding early parliamentary elections, the Vice-Chairman stated that this issue was currently less topical, since it was obvious that 2009 was a critical year for the presidential election campaign.