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Kyiv region should be a regional leader, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said.

"Kyiv region, with its capabilities and resources, as well as a management team that acts in a resolute way, should go ahead in introducing new mechanisms for regional and local government," the presidential press service quoted Yanukovych as saying on Tuesday.

While speaking at a ceremony at the Ukraine Art Palace in Kyiv to mark the 80th anniversary of Kyiv region, Yanukovych called for the drafting and adoption of a regional development strategy.

"I see three main objectives for the implementation of such a strategy – ensuring the basic rights of citizens, addressing the socio-economic problems of local communities and laying the foundation for the stable development of the whole region," he said.

In addition, Yanukovych said that financial support for innovative programs in Kyiv region would be provided this year, including from the State Regional Development Fund.