28 June 2010, 08:00
Greetings
of Volodymyr Lytvyn,
Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
on the Occasion of the 14th Anniversary of the Constitution of Ukraine
Dear fellow citizens!
On June 28, 1996 The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Constitution of our independent State. It became a legal basis of its activity, while the day of adoption was set a national holiday.
Today, celebration of the anniversary of Ukrainian Constitution has a special symbolic meaning, since it coincides with the 300th anniversary of the Constitution and the Treaty concluded between Pylyp Orlyk and sergeant majors, colonels and the Cossack Army.
Three centuries prove the long-lasting historical tradition of constitutionalism in Ukraine. Plenty provisions of this first constitution are still topical. Among them, the imperative rule to put an end to lies and unlawfullness, the obligations to consolidate inviolable civil rights, to broaden and multiply liberties. The first Ukrainian constitution has already mentioned ‘free elections´, ‘recovery and restoration of abused rights and liberties´, ‘affirmation of the inviolable border´, ‘good-neighbourliness and peaceful unions´, ‘peace to be established with the Moscow State.´ The first Ukrainian constitution obliged the Hetman to take care of ‘the integrity of the Motherland and public welfare, ‘beneficial public order´; ‘to pursue policy accountable to public´, ‘disguising no mail, especially, foreign and such that can damage national integrity and public welfare.´ Topical provisions also cover eradication of corruption, medical support of ‘the old, the poor and the injured´, struggle with ‘all hardships and robbery from power-hungry bribe-takers who do not rely on their merits, but are greedy for their private well-being´, alleviation of the widows, orphans, children and women from ‘churlish obligations and payment of charges´, prohibition of protectionism and robbery.
The significance of this historic document is testified by the fact that it determined the orientation of the civilization development of the Ukrainian society. Having absorbed the best samples of national and world experience of State formation, relying on the achievements of the modern science of constitutionalism, this outstanding act was recognized by the Venetian Commission of the Council of Europe as one of the best Constitutions of the modern times among the democratic States of the world.
Notwithstanding the complicated stage of transformations of the transitional period, a hard routine work concerning filling of the constitutional regulations with the practical essence has been conducted for eight years since the Constitution of Ukraine was adopted.
However, at the turning point of epochs in 2004, the Constitution of Ukraine was held hostage of the social-political confrontation and aggravation of political struggle.
As the result, the constitutional process was converted from the systematic course into the long-lasting period of chaotic initiatives concerning introduction of amendments to the Constitution. The outcome of these dubious innovations can be felt even at the present moment. It creates actual threat for our State. Under the conditions of the global crisis, such behaviour is an inadmissible luxury or, rather, irresponsibility for the future of entire country.
At present, it is the task of primary importance to make the politicians and the authorities live in compliance with the Constitution and, using its positive potential, secure predictable development of Ukraine as a democratic, social and legal State.
Sending my greeting to all the fellow citizens on the occasion of the anniversary of the Constitution of Ukraine, I would like to express my hopes that the Constitution, recognized as one of the most democratic in the world in 1996, will be implemented and serve as a reliable tool of protection of rights of all the citizens of our State.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr LYTVYN