OREANDA-NEWS. February 02, 2011.Dear MPs!  I congratulate you on the beginning of a regular session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

I would like to say a few words at the beginning of the work of the Parliament in 2011.

First of all, I would like to say that the work will be very intense. And those steps that we will do with you will be fateful, or perhaps even historic. The Ukrainian nation will make an assessment of these steps.

Working together, we will continue to reform the laws, so that Ukraine finally stepped on the course of modernization of our society and formalization of the association with the EU.

This means that Ukraine will become stronger, will create new jobs, the government’s work will be more stable, the living standards of our citizens will be rising.

Since mid-2010, we have managed to stabilize the situation, including in the government, to consolidate all its branches to work together based on trust and mutual understanding.

I am convinced that in 2011 this practice will continue.

Amid the global economic crisis, whose consequences still have not been completely overcome, only the policy of deep reforms aimed at modernizing the country can provide for further development of the state.

This fact is proven by all the global discussions on the directions and priorities of the post-crisis development.

I would add another important conclusion: the crisis showed that there is no ideal model or models that can be blindly repeated. The times of literal copying someone else's experience are gone, so is the previous stability.

Each country will be successful only when it finds its own, unique way of further reform and modernization, using all the useful experience of other countries, which is effectively adapted and accepted by the society.

Our task is very difficult: to enter the group of countries, who are development leaders. The meaning of social innovation is to find and follow the ways and methods of becoming modern, competitive and strong.

Dear MPs!

In 2010, the course of reforms was proclaimed, aimed at deep and comprehensive modernization of Ukraine.

The idea of change is supported by all the citizens of our country. The course of reforms has consolidated the majority of MPs in the Parliament.

The work on concrete action plans to implement reform in the key areas has taken a lot of time and effort.

In the past year, we managed to make a number of important steps in reforming the economy and judicial system of our country. But we have a giant's task ahead, and that is not exaggeration.

Today, we should be talking about shaping the administrative, political, social and, most importantly, legislative base of the reforms. This is a major challenge and task for 2011.

In 2010 we have made the first steps in reforming public administration.

Gradually, from the reform of the government, we will proceed to the reform of the entire political system, using the mechanism of the Constitutional Assembly. But everything has its time.

The political precondition for reforms should be stability and close cooperation of branches of power, constant communication and broad public dialogue, further development of the principle of separation of powers, strengthening the role of the judiciary. At the same time, we should do everything to strengthen the effectiveness of parliamentary work and make the political forces to come out of the state of confrontation.

That is why we need a national round table and discussion with the opponents.

Today, I encourage all the political forces to set corporate interests aside and start a constructive dialogue, aimed at national interests, rather than achieving their own ambitions.

Another question is the social base of reforms. A very difficult task, on which we should work together. Protecting weak and vulnerable members of our society is our moral and political duty.

Amid the uncertainty of today, we must make sure that the system of social guarantees is unswerving and complies with the appropriate social standards for our citizens.

Perhaps, not all of our decisions will be accepted right away. I do not rule out criticism and discontent.

But I am convinced of one thing: practical results of reforms and changes for business, further deregulation, creation of new industries and jobs in construction, social sphere, pension system, healthcare and education will be the answer to our opponents and ill-wishers within a short time.

We must do everything, so that people felt in their own daily lives that reforms are being conducted for them, for the sake of our children, for the future of the country.

Our common task is to make the necessary reforms as less painful as possible for the society.

To bring in practice the effectiveness of our fight against corruption at all levels.

So the answer to the current difficulties will be in the success and effectiveness of social reforms.

Dear Colleagues,

MPs of different political views have been and are now working in this hall.

But do different political views really mean confrontation and enmity?

I am deeply convinced that we need to turn the page of confrontation for good.

The politicians, of course, may have different views on ideology, political system or economic policies. But there are problems that have no party affiliation - poverty and unemployment, poor economy and non-reformed armed forces, ramshackle hospitals, schools, and corruption.

And solving these problems is a common state concern of all the political forces considering themselves patriots of their country without exception. I emphasize that – without exception.

That is why we should be united by the idea of deep reforms in the economy and social sphere, modernization of the country, building an effective national security system, improving Ukraine's image on the international scene.

We need to continue working together on the effective formula of cooperation of all the political forces.

And those, who do not share it and cannot find strength to join this work for the sake of the future of our country, please - do not hinder it!

Therefore, I appeal to you all, dear MPs: let's do it together! For Ukraine!

Thank you.