Editor's Note: The following is the official English-language translation of President Viktor Yanukovych's traditional New Year's address to the nation.
The address can be found on the president’s official website
Dear compatriots!
2013 is at its end.
It is a difficult, probably the most difficult year in the history of independent Ukraine. It was the year of achievements and challenges, frustrations and new hopes. In the long run, 2013 became a year of progress for us. Through maidans and national panel discussions, political arguments and sincere dialogue we are moving the way of mutual understanding and national consolidation. This path is extremely challenging but we must go through it jointly, side by side.
I am confident: economic troubles and political discord of the past year have only tempered us. It is our experience, our lessons and our common historical examinations. In 2013, despite all challenges, we have decently passed the examination of our state maturity.
Focusing on our national interests, we continue moving the way of building the European Ukraine, the way of deep economic modernization and gradual improvement of the quality of people’s life. Particular attention will be paid to pensioners and children, families with many children, invalids and everyone who needs state support and care.
Gradual policy of social justice based on presidential social initiatives is a guarantee of irreversibility of this path.
We continue working over the agreement with the European Union. We have restored the relations of friendship and brotherhood with Russia. We have made a true breakthrough in the relations with China.
We ensure an efficient balance between East and West without giving up our national interests.
These steps give us a real opportunity to look ahead confidently preserving high social standards and directing the necessary resources at the accelerated development of competitive national production in 2014.
Dear friends!
Our country is a big family the life of which is based on fundamental human values – love, welfare, justice, peace and harmony. As we know, anything can happen in the family. There can be misunderstandings and quarrels but usually all the family members get together on the eve of the New Year forgetting all the misunderstandings and planning their common future.
I believe that we have enough wisdom and experience, love and kindness to leave the distrust and conflicts in the past and move the way of dialogue and understanding.
Irrespective of the political affiliation, Ukrainians have demonstrated to each other and to the whole world their common responsibility for the destiny of the country.
Today, this festive evening, I would like to address everyone: we are one family – Ukraine. Its future depends on each of us. Let us remember this.
Dear compatriots!
I heartily congratulate you and your families on the upcoming New Year and Christmas!
I believe that 2014 will become a year of unity, development and success for all of us. I sincerely wish you a strong health, luck in all your good deeds and endeavors, a true love and mutual respect, a simple human happiness.
I believe in our common success.
May God help us!
Happy New Year!
