OREANDA-NEWS. September 05, 2016. President Petro Poroshenko took part in celebrations on the occasion of the Day of the City in Vinnytsia and congratulated its residents on the holiday.

The Head of State noted that Vinnytsia can be called a European, touristic, innovative capital of Ukraine. The President reminded that 20 years ago people used to say the following about Vinnytsia: nice city, but provincial. “Nobody dares to call it a provincial city today,” Petro Poroshenko said.

According to the President, people come to Vinnytsia today from other Ukrainian cities to learn how to open transparent offices of administrative services, build new boiler rooms, launch new trams and recycle trash. “The key position is the following: people shouldn’t see problems; problems must be solved by the authorities,” he said.

“Government of Vinnytsia demonstrated its efficiency to the entire Ukraine, Europe and the world. Now, we must teach the others to solve problems throughout Ukraine,” Petro Poroshenko noted.

For this end, decentralization has been introduced. “Decentralization means provision of rights, authorities, money and responsibility to local communities,” he stressed.

According to Vinnytsia Mayor Serhiy Morhunov, local budget of Vinnytsia has increased 5 times. In 2013, it equalled UAH 100 million. In 2016, it equals UAH 500 million. “Finally, local communities can decide what to build, how to control government and bear responsibility,” the President added.

“The experience of Vinnytsia will be distributed on the great number of reforms that will be continued throughout the state,” Petro Poroshenko said.

According to him, these reforms are implemented in extremely difficult conditions of war. “I would like to express gratitude to Vinnytsia for its maximum contribution to the defense of the Homeland from the Russian aggressor. 11 thousand Vinnytsia residents stood up to defend the Homeland,” the President noted.

According to the Head of State, contracting for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine is taking place successfully today. “I am really grateful that we can look ahead confidently relying on the AFU, National Guard and Security Service,” he said.

The President reminded that the entire country had watched the military parade on August 24 celebrating the Independence Day. “It was the report on our achievements in the Armed Forces over the past two years,” he noted.

Before the festivities, the President examined modernized tram designed, inter alia, for people with disabilities.

The event was also attended by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman, Vinnytsia Governor Valeriy Koroviy and Vinnytsia Mayor Serhiy Morhunov.