Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has called on Ukraine's regions to actively cooperate and said that given the need for the consolidation of society, such cooperation is very important.
The presidential press service reported that during a meeting of the Council of Regions in Livadia on Friday, President Yanukovych said that officials from various regions of Ukraine, the presidential administration and the government have to hold joint meetings more often and discuss crucial issues concerning the regions’ development.
"This would create only positive feelings in the community," he said.
"Effective work by each region could, without a doubt, help us resolve many issues and eliminate political intrigues in the country. I would like to stress this," President Yanukovych said.
The head of state added that, in his opinion, the Crimean authorities unite the community around common affairs today, in particular, the region’s economic upturn and improvement of life for the population of the peninsula.
"This is a real example of effective work and ability to secure a conflict-free life for citizens," the president said.
"Crimea’s striking example should inspire you, [show you] that this is a realistic way of avoiding conflicts and uniting the community in the regions and all over the country," the president added.
In addition, Yanukovych said that he supports the more active drawing of investments by Ukrainian regions.
"In the near future, most likely in autumn, we will hold an exhibition of the investment attractiveness of the regions, at which each region will show off its opportunities – prepared investment projects, proposals, and so on," the president said.
The president said that much has been said about importance of investment in the regions and their development, but not all regions had responded to this properly.
"Unfortunately, not all regions have properly responded to this aspect of the state policy, as of today," Yanukovych said.
The head of state added that he clearly sees which of the heads of regional state administrations and what regional communities work on the issue at the high level, and which do not.
President Yanukovych said that the governmental bloc in charge of regional development was very weak today.
"We didn’t see any noticeable activity earlier. This mustn’t continue," he said.
The president called on the participants of the meeting to be more active with regard to this issue.
"And we will create conditions at the state level and promote these regions’ development programs at the international level, so that you can present your regions abroad," the president said.
