On the eve of the Independence Day, President Petro Poroshenko met with
prominent civil activists who took part in the creation, consolidation and
development of the independent Ukrainian state, creation and adoption of the
Ukrainian Constitution and consolidation of democratic principles in Ukraine.
The parties had a frank discussion on the topical issues of state development,
particularly on the constitutional amendments on decentralization.
The President emphasized the importance of “sincere and frank discussion
on decentralization, which is one of the major reforms that Ukraine has been
waiting for many years”. He addressed the attendees with a request to become
the leaders of reformist ideas of decentralization and be active defenders of
the unity of the country and its further democratic advancement.
The President emphasized the importance of supporting the process of
constitutional amendments’ approval by the Parliament. “We are one team. We
have the same view of Ukraine’s interests and coordinate the state’s movement.
I want you to speak. The people of Ukraine must hear your voice, for you are
the authority for Ukrainians. We must speak with one voice,” the President
stressed.
“Creation of local self-government is one of the elements of the
construction of Western civilization. Strong local self-government was and will
be one of the main civilizational differences between Ukraine and Russia. And
it brings us closer to Europe,” the Head of State emphasized.
The President noted that constitutional amendments provide for the
efficient fuses that guarantee territorial integrity and unitary form of
Ukraine. At the same, decentralization doesn’t touch upon such issues like
defense, foreign policy, security, human rights and freedoms.
Former Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Yuriy Shcherbak
underlined the need for improving communications between the authorities and
the public. “We are your allies, but there are some things that must be explained
to people,” he said. He stressed the necessity of dispelling “Putin’s myths”
that Ukrainians and Russians are the same nation and that Ukraine is allegedly
under external control. The President answered: “You are absolutely right.
There are no fraternal nations at war. There is a united Ukrainian nation,
which is moving towards Europe and there is a Russian nation, which is in a
deep crisis”.
The first President of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk noted that constitutional
amendments shouldn’t endanger the country in any way. He urged to hold such
meetings more often and listen to each other. “People must understand that we
are together with them,” he noted.
The meeting was also attended by Chairman of the Parliament and the
Constitutional Commission Volodymyr Groysman.
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