Only those societies whose spirit is strong and whose aims are ambitious are able to make history. The latest events in the world, both economic and political, have once again showed how difficult it is to both remain competitive and ensure stability in both the economy and the nation.
Remaining modern in this dynamic world is an incredibly complicated and ambitious task that every nation, every country faces. In recent years our society, its business and state apparatus have learned to live with a crisis.
Officials used their offices as a source for enrichment and turned their jobs into a sort of bureaucratic business. Burdened by bribes and administrative pressure, businessmen tried to keep making a profit by running into the shadow, by optimizing taxes and minimizing investments.
But at the same time, I understand that the state has not yet created proper conditions for businesses to leave the shadows and develop effectively.
Only those societies whose spirit is strong and whose aims are ambitious are able to make history.
Society grew increasingly frustrated and lost faith in their own powers, while waiting to be given new social promises from those above them. And this vicious circle kept going from one election to another.
Economic crises and disappointment with politicians resulted in a negative stereotype in society that it’s best to change nothing, just to make sure it does not get worse.
As a result, it wasn’t development that became the main feature lately but saving an illusory stability, a conservative desire “to make sure it does not get worse.”
This is the way the tax reform was perceived, for example. While fairly criticizing excessive tax administration, opponents of the reform also unintentionally defended the old practice of dodging taxes, the usual life in half-shadows.
I understand why it happened. At some point we lost faith in our ability to achieve great results. But we must look the truth in the eyes: preserving the status quo, conserving this stability, is no longer possible.
We shall either find the strength to make Ukraine a modern country, which develops dynamically, or we are facing an imminent economic bankruptcy and rapid social degradation.
To overcome the inertia, to provide for proactive development, we need to change the political system and reform the state.
We have wasted so much time on political quarreling. It is with bitter regret that I remember the years of shilly-shallying, uncertainty and stagnation. But at the same time I have a lot of hopes for the new modernization program of President Viktor Yanukovych.
Overcoming the inertia, turning Ukraine back to modernization and progress and waking society from its lethargy, breaking through to the list of the countries that are changing and changing the world – this is the ambition of our program.
Modern education and quality medical services for all, a developed industry, fair pensions – these are just some of the benchmarks of the changes we offer.
To overcome the inertia, to provide for proactive development, we need to change the political system and reform the state.
This means establishing the rule of law, development of parliamentarism and representative democracy, increasing the effectiveness of state management. This is why the president supported the creation of the Constitutional Assembly, which has to unite the efforts of the best academics in the nation to design a new Constitution.
Openness and transparency of the authorities and effective tools for public involvement in development, approval and implementation of decisions that run the nation is a primary feature of a democratic political system.
One of the most important tasks is the professionalization of the state apparatus and defeating corruption. The nation does not need a corrupt and predatory bureaucracy; it needs professional and compact state management, which provides services for the population. This is the logical aim of the administrative reform that started last year.
We need fast changes in the economy. A structural reform, transition to an innovative model of development, speedy modernization of production facilities, development of entrepreneurial initiative while simultaneously moving the economy out of the shadows is what Ukraine needs to become more competitive.
The task for the near future is to create stimuli for businesses for investment and innovation, to liberate the Ukrainian farmers and finally give the land owners full control over it.
The key to achieving this goal lies in liberalization, reduction of regulatory and tax pressure on the economy. We have made the first steps in this direction by shaking up the regulatory legislation and simplifying procedures for conducting business.
The task for the near future is to create stimuli for businesses for investment and innovation, to liberate the Ukrainian farmers and finally give the land owners full control over it.
Undoubtedly, the ever-lasting moratorium on the land market and minute cost of this strategic resource is only beneficial to a few pretend businessmen in the agricultural sector. However, neither the farmers, nor the state benefit from it. And this inevitably means change is needed.
We’re striving to create a modern state, a modern Ukraine. This entails complex social and humanitarian development of society along the lines of the Millennium Development Goals set in the United Nations’ Millennium Declaration.
Our agenda is to develop human capital and national culture. We hope to increase social standards and overcome poverty, build new schools and kindergartens, create a single national electronic library, preserve cultural memorials and create new projects in television and cinema.
No matter how hard the times are, the state has to care for its people – and we shall do it.
Naturally, any reform policy has its critics and opposition. It’s those who are comfortable living with the old rules of the game, who are used to profiting from degradation and decay, who have become accustomed to corrupt schemes and living in the shadows. Unfortunately there are many of these people.
Ukrainian politicians and its state apparatus turned out to be unprepared for real changes. Today the president is facing real resistance, political pressure and attempts by bureaucrats and political opponents to sabotage the reforms. But he is not going to stop.
The president has no other allies in fighting corruption, bureaucracy and social and economic decay than his people.
Stepping over distrust to create our future together is our joint chance to fight the inertia of the system, return optimism to people and belief in their own powers, to create a new state that is respected and reckoned with in the world. I am sure that we can do it.
Serhiy Lyovochkin is head of President Viktor Yanukovych’s administration.
