Victor Yushchenko has met with the Coordinating Council of the
Heroes of Ukraine, whose members are Anatoly Avdiyevsky, head of the Veryovka
Choir, Yukhym Zvyagilsky, director general of the Zasyadko Mine, Leonid
Kravchuk, former president of Ukraine, Ivan Plyushch, former parliamentary
speaker, Ihor Yukhnovsky, director of the National Memory Institute, and Petro
Sabluk, director of the Institute of Agrarian Economics, president's press office reported.
The President praised their active social commitment and
reiterated his belief that Ukraine’s government and society should unite to
develop the country. He said it was vital to promote national dialogue and make
political leaders representing different, often opposite, ideologies compromise.
He told them he had recently met with Prime Minister Viktor
Yanukovych and Speaker Oleksandr Moroz, and outlined what they had
discussed. Ivan Plyushch said their talks showed that Yushchenko, Yanukovych and
Moroz saw the country’s strategy alike.
“Each of you agrees that the constitution and Ukraine’s form of
government need improvement,” he said.
Leonid Kravchuk suggested involving public leaders and
professional scholars – not the country’s political bosses – in formulating new
constitutional amendments. Mr. Yushchenko agreed and said, “Our society should
not think politicians are writing the constitution to benefit themselves.”
The President said it was important to establish such a
commission “immediately” to amend the constitution in a way enabling them to
balance powers. He added that it should also improve legislation regulating
local self-government and continue judicial reform.
First Deputy Secretariat Chief of Staff Ivan Vasyunyk was
present at the meeting.
