Yushchenko calls on politicians to get rid of populism

News / 29 August 2008 | 17:45

President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko has called on Ukrainian politicians “to get rid of populism as of a bad dream”.

He told journalists at a press conference at the territory of Pokrovske mines company in the Donetsk Oblast on Friday.

Victor Yushchenko stressed that, first of all, politicians should complete budget discussions. According to him, populism only destabilizes the situation in the social sphere. Victor Yushchenko noted he is not satisfied with the budget policy that was carried out in the first half-year.

According to him, Ukraine has the biggest inflation compared to other European countries.

At the same time, the President spoke for rise of salaries.

He stressed once again that today the parliament already has the amended draft State Budget, and called on to use existing resources for the sake of Ukraine and economic development.

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Kyiv zoo celebrates Elephant Day on August 30

News / 29 August 2008 | 16:50

The Kyiv zoo will celebrate the Elephant Day on August 30.

According to the press-service of the Kyiv City State Administration, the holiday will begin at noon with presenting a “Summer Bouquet” to zoo’s elephant Boy. Specialists will tell interesting information about his life. Boy’s favorite delicacies – apples, oranges, carrots, and cabbage, will be hidden in his open-air cage. Those willing will be allowed to make photos with the elephant.

Boy the elephant has been living in the Kyiv zoo for 36 years already.

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Yushchenko calls on Ukrainian politicians to keep unity

News / 29 August 2008 | 15:55

Ukrainian politicians should be united in assessing the recent developments in Georgia, President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko believes.

He claimed this speaking at a press conference at the territory of Pokrovske mines company in the Donetsk Oblast on Friday, UNIAN reported.

“I’d like that Ukrainian politicians be wise and find a correct explanation to the developments, work out a united stance of our state”, the President said, adding : “If there is no unity on elementary principles, it will pose a colossal threat to stability of any territories and our region”.

According to an UNIAN correspondent, “an infringement on any territorial integrity is an infringement upon our territorial integrity as well”.

“And I would ask, respecting our relations with neighbors – with Russia, with Georgia, respecting the relations with the whole world, to try to achieve stability and the rule of law”, the President stressed.

According to him, the developments in Georgia are actively discussed at the world level, and “these are not mere discussions but a significant problem”.

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Ukraine not to stop supplying Georgia with weapon

News / 29 August 2008 | 15:20

State enterprise “Ukrspetsexport” has no intention to stop cooperation with Georgia. Director General of the enterprise Serhiy Bondarchuk told at a press conference. According to him, there are no grounds to cease cooperation, as Georgia is not on the list of countries, where supplying of weapon is prohibited by United Nations.

Bondarchuk noted that new contracts have not been made and that there are some difficulties with fulfillment of the concluded contracts, as Ukraine simply cannot deliver weapon because Georgian port Poti has been destroyed.

Bondarchuk denied statements of some politicians on that Georgia owes Ukraine for a part of military ammunition. “It is not true. Georgia is our reliable financial partner,” he said.

Bondarchuk also informed that “Ukrspetsexport” delivers to Georgia only 6% of total export, while to Russia – 24%

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Demand for work force exceeds supply in Ukraine

News / 29 August 2008 | 14:50

If five years ago work force supply in Ukraine exceeded demand, now the situation is quite the opposite – demand exceeds supply, Minister of Education and Science Ivan Vakarchuk told a press-conference.

The Minister said that according to expert estimates, personnel deficit in Ukraine in 2008 reaches over 190 thousand people including 70% workers. Only in the Kyiv employment center the employers offered 35 thousand vacancies including 60% blue-collar professions.

Ivan Vakarchuk noted that labor market defines demand for qualified workers. At present demand for workers grows in industry and transport; in construction and agroindustrial complex it remains stable. This demand reduces in light industry. Such dynamics reflects infrastructure development of country’s economics. So, establishment of the optimal network of technical schools is of great importance, the Minister underscored.

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European Days of Neighborliness being celebrated on Ukrainian-Polish border

News / 29 August 2008 | 14:00

The transborder cultural and religious events European Days of Neighborliness are held in Lviv region for the fifth time. They will be held in two stages on the sections of the border service Belz and Pavlovychi. On August 28, representatives of Polish church community (300 people) and residents of several Ukrainian towns participated joint divine service, fair of people’s art, concert of folk ensembles, open-air film demonstration.

On August 30, nearby the near-border sign #803 a concert of Ukrainian and Polish pop singers will be held as well as art exhibitions, sports competitions etc.

European Days of Neighborliness are held here since 2004 under the auspices of state and public organizations of Ukraine and Poland. These events aim to spread the idea of Eurointegration among Ukrainian society and improve social and cultural climate on the near-border territories, the State Border Guard Service told.

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Tymoshenko paying working visit to Luhansk region

News / 29 August 2008 | 13:15

Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko arrived on a working visit to the Luhansk region, Cabinet’s press office informed.

The Head of Government will participate in celebrations on the occasion of putting into operation an air shaft #6 at the Rental enterprise mine named after “Izvestiia” newspaper of the “Donbasantratsit” branch establishment and get acquainted with work of the mine and communicate with miners.

Yulia Tymoshenko will also partake in ceremonials devoted to the Miner’s Day and decorate the best workers and labour collectives of the sphere with Diplomas of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

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Tymoshenko held a telephone conversation with Merkel

News / 29 August 2008 | 12:30

Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko held a telephone conversation with Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, according to the government’s press-office.

The conversation concerned discussion of issues on regional security in the context of the military conflict in Southern Caucasia and Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

The sides have expressed common support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has backed up the Plan on regulating the conflict, approved by the European Union, in particular, due to proactive approach of France and Germany.

“Ukraine wants to be a constructive part of the EU’s efforts,” Yulia Tymoshenko noted in the course of conversation. According to her, today all extremely need appropriate reaction to new challenges”.

Angela Merkel, in her turn, emphasized the importance of avoiding escalation of tension and inadmissibility of steps which can result in unilateral unanticipated actions. “Under conditions of increasing threats for regional security, preserving political stability should be Ukraine’s priority. This is a precondition for further steps towards integration,” the Chancellor of Germany said.

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Russia may cut oil supply to Europe as an answer to sanctions

News / 29 August 2008 | 12:00

The Daily Telegraph reported on Friday that the Russian government had told at least one of its oil companies to prepare for a possible cut in shipments to Europe in days in response to threatened sanctions, citing a single unidentified source. Forex traders in Asia cited the report as one reason for the dollar’s decline against other currencies and the rise in U.S. oil prices which were up 1 percent or $1.16 at $116.75 a barrel. Oil traders said the approach of Tropical Storm Gustav towards the Gulf of Mexico was driving prices higher.

The Daily Telegraph story said “reports have begun to circulate” about a possible cut in shipments through the Druzhba pipeline that feeds Poland and Germany, and that it was believed that executives from top producer LUKOIL had been put on notice.

“They have been told to be ready to cut off supplies as soon as Monday,” The Daily Telegraph quoted “a high-level business source” as saying, without naming the source or describing how the source had access to the information.

The newspaper also said a senior Lukoil official in Moscow said he was unaware of any plans to curtail deliveries. It said the Kremlin declined to comment.

It also reported that the Polish government said Russian deliveries were still arriving smoothly and it was not aware of any move to limit supplies. The European Commission’s energy directorate said it had received no warnings of retaliatory cuts.

Further comment was not immediately available.

Any move would be timed to coincide with an emergency EU summit in Brussels, where possible sanctions against Russia are on the agenda, the newspaper said.

Oil traders have watched with growing unease the escalating row between Russia and the West over Moscow’s military action against Georgia, which initially disrupted some Caspian flows.

Moscow has defied pressure from the United States and European powers to pull out of Georgia.

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Victor Yushchenko talks to Javier Solana

News / 29 August 2008 | 11:19

President Victor Yushchenko held a phone conversation with the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, according to the President`s press-office. During the conversation sides discussed the situation in Georgia. Victor Yushchenko informed Javier Solana that Ukraine condemns Russia’s decision to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia and expects international community to join efforts in restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity. Javier Solana from his part said that on September 1 an extraordinary EU Summit would take place, dedicated to Georgian-Russian conflict subject. He also praised Ukraine’s efforts aimed at settling the situation and firm position since the beginning of the conflict.

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