Twenty one year ago, Ukraine has started a new phase in its history by declaring the basic principles of political, economic and social development. A new page in the national history was opened – the epoch of the country's establishment as the Sovereign and Independent State.

The foundations were laid down for further legal development of the nation, democracy establishment, socially-focused market economy and human rights securing. It was done by maintaining peaceful and mutually beneficial cooperation with all members of the International community based on generally recognized principles and norms of the international law.

The tradition of fair and transparent elections and the freedom of speech established in mass media and society are the important indicators of the democracy level achieved in Ukraine. Today's generation of the Ukrainians cannot imagine its existence without these realities. It does not matter how complicated the country development is sometimes, but it is always within the constitutional field. The fundamental decisions are made on the basis of the political consensus founded on the balance between the branches of the power, the main state institutions, the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukraine's Parliament), the Cabinet of Ministers, and the President of Ukraine.

The European integration was declared as the strategic course of Ukraine’s foreign policy. In the bilateral sphere Ukraine builds the relations of strategic partnership with its key foreign partners based on principles of equi-closeness and pragmatism. Ukraine develops a network of long-term partnership with the states becoming new centers of political and economic development.

Ukrainehas proved itself as the responsible international partner. The decision on non-participation in the military alliances has become a key element in creation of the safe environment. Ukraine demonstrates the example of nuclear disarmament by voluntarily giving up the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world.

Our country maintains close relations with the Ukrainian Community and the Ukrainian nationals abroad. Ukraine promotes important projects in the cultural and humanitarian fields, which assist forming the Ukraine’s image as a country with great history and cultural traditions.

The proclamation of Ukraine's Independence occurred as a result of national and state constructive progress of our people. It is a landmark in today's history of Ukraine an embodiment of eternal dreams of the Ukrainian people about freedom and independence.

Celebrating the 21st anniversary of the Ukraine’s Independence, the Ukrainians believe that continuous democratic development of the Ukrainian State is a reliable guarantee of its prosperity, progress and consolidation as a full and independent member of the European community of the democratic nations.