The Ukrainian government will put its main efforts on making the country economically independent, President Viktor Yanukovych said on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, marked on August 24.
"Now that we are entering the 20th year of independence, the government is doing all it can to make Ukraine an economically independent state. Real independence is based precisely on this foundation," Yanukovych said in an address to the nation.
Yanukovych’s speech has been posted on his official website.
"The program of reforms I am proposing is a program to build an economically independent state," he said.
The Ukrainian president also said that he would not allow the country "to depart from the path of reforms merely to please the egoistic interests of some irresponsible politicians," adding, "I know that enormous efforts will have to be made and huge resources used to attain real economic independence," he said.
Yanukovych also said that a judicial reform is in the making, and that "the draconian system of permits – a magnet for corruption, which is ruining small and medium businesses and scaring foreign investors away" are going to be annulled.
"I will always support strong and free media, because they are the foundation of democracy," Yanukovych said. Yanukovych added that he would do everything he can to build a truly independent and prospering Ukraine, a country, where people will be guaranteed a decent standard of living."
