You're reading: Azarov hopes next year will be easier and better for Ukrainians

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has extended his Christmas and New Year's greetings to Ukrainians.

"2011 was very difficult for the country and at the same time it was filled with creative work, the adoption of crucial decisions in the country which determine its fate for years ahead. You are to judge how well the government worked for the benefit of Ukraine in 2011," the prime minister said in a statement, published on the Web site of the Cabinet of Ministers on Friday.

He assured that the government had made every effort to ensure the development of the country.

"Together, we, the people, have finally overcome the deepest economic decline, which many people in our country and abroad considered to be Ukraine’s doom. Neither the lack of financial aid from the West, nor the crashing price of Russian gas was able to break us. We relied on ourselves, we didn’t dance after anybody’s piping, and this turned out to be right," Azarov said.

The prime minister reminded that roads, bridges, airports, subways, stadiums, kindergartens, schools and hospitals, wholesale markets and factories have been built this year. "That will continue. Because only hard work, only economic growth will ensure the welfare of all citizens," Azarov said.

"I strongly believe that the launched transformation will soon enough turn our country into a modern European state. 2012 will be easier and better, because the country has overcome the inertia of the recession, and despite all the pessimistic forecasts, despite the unfavorable internal and external factors, we have achieved real momentum," the prime minister added.