24 August 2009, 09:00
Greetings
of V.LYTVYN, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine
Dear Ukrainians, dear fellow citizens!
I send my sincere greetings to you on the occasion of the national holiday the Independence Day of Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the State Sovereignty Act that embodied the eternal pursuits of our nation to the independent life in their own country, to freedom and collectivism, to the possibility of deciding their destiny.
Revival of the State due to the self-sacrificing devotion of a number of generations of Ukrainian nation became the event of epochal importance, a turning point in the national history, a sign of new conditions and possibilities of existence and civilization development.
The 18th anniversary of independence is a golden opportunity to remember all those people who sacrificed their life in the fight for State sovereignty, to analyze the achievements, to reflect upon the modern challenges of time and unite around the Ukrainian interests, basic state-building tasks and aims, national priorities.
The changes that took place in Ukraine for the period of independence impress by their depth, nature and scope of transformations. Complicated transformational processes that bore drastic influence upon the socio-political, economic and mental fields could not take place without mistakes and turmoil. Intensive search for optimal resolutions can still be observed. Hence, the modern generation of Ukrainian politicians bears special responsibility, as they are obliged to secure social peace and concord, stability, consolidation of efforts and general mutual understanding for the sake of development of our Motherland and welfare of the people.
I am convinced that wisdom, political will and consolidated efforts of all the people, responsibility "before God, one´s own conscience, previous, modern and future generations" will unite the nation for the sake of successful overcoming of a dangerous historical challenge.
The time, historical memory and national dignity pose such demands. Let us remember that economic power, social equity, spiritual prosperity, peace and welfare, full-fledged membership of the country in the national community depend on each of us, on our responsibility for the future.
May the birthday of our State become the day of great inspiration in the activity for the sake of the Ukrainian nation and sovereign Ukraine!