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2 President participates in flower laying 14:32 22 JANUARY 2008 President Victor Yushchenko participated today in flower laying ceremony near monuments to the distinctive Ukrainians – Taras Shevchenko and Mykhailo Hrushevsky on the occasion of National Reunion Day.
Photo News January 22, 2008 - President Victor Yushchenko participated today in flower laying ceremony near monuments to the distinctive Ukrainians – Taras Shevchenko and Mykhailo Hrushevsky on the occasion of National Reunion Day. January 25, 2008 - Within the framework of his visit to Davos, Switzerland President Victor Yushchenko met with the United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. January 25, 2008 – President Victor Yushchenko participated in Davos Ukrainian lunch. January 29, 2008 - Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko met with Secretary General of the EU Council of Ministers, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. January 28, 2008 – Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko held briefing with President of European Comimssion Jose Manuel Barroso after their meeting.
Economy In Brief:
3 Economy In Brief
H.Nemyrya held a meeting with American investors. H.Nemyrya told investors about basic principles of the Government Action Program “Ukrainian breakthrough and key elements of Transparency Initiatives of Prime Minister of Ukraine. H.Nemyrya stressed that Transparency Initiatives include, introduction of the transparent system of Ukrainian justice, suffrage legislation, accountable power and opposition, transparent relations of power and business, taxes (simplified tax system excluding chances for evasion) etc.
The meeting, organized by the US-Ukraine Business Council, was also attended by representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce, Microsoft, Baker&McKenzie, Cargill and DHL.
Yuschenko hails surge in foreign investment in 2007
Kyiv, January 30, 2008 - Interfax-Ukraine - President Viktor Yuschenko said on Wednesday he estimates foreign direct investment (FDI) growth in 2007 at between $7.5 billion and $8 billion, describing it as "not a bad achievement."
"We believe that for 2007, just as for the preceding year and for 2005, international foreign investment growth is estimated at between $7.5 and $8 billion," Yuschenko said at a conference in Kyiv entitled "Government and Business - Partners."
Over its 16 years of independence, "Ukraine has attracted foreign investment amounting to about $30 billion," he said.
As was reported earlier, with reference to the State Statistics Committee, foreign direct investment in Ukraine grew by $5.239 billion from January to September 2007, which was 70.5% up on the same period last year. In the first nine months of this year, foreign investors injected $6.014 billion in direct investment into Ukraine and simultaneously withdrew $1.032 billion.
In the first quarter of 2007, FDI growth was estimated at $0.847 billion (in the first quarter of 2006 it was $0.922 billion), in the second quarter - $1.706 billion ($0.777 billion), and in the third quarter $2.686 billion ($1.373 billion).
The State Statistics Committee also reported that foreign direct investment as of October 1 amounted to $26.857 billion, which was 24.2% up since the beginning of the year. FDI growth in 2006 was estimated at $4.296 billion, which was 45.2% down on 2005.
Ukraine proceeds to harmonize legislation with WTO requirements
Kyiv, January 28, 2008 - Ukrinform - The Economics Ministry has made public the Draft Law "On Amendments to Article 16 of the Law of Ukraine "On Foreign Economic Activity".
The main goal of the draft law is to harmonize the Ukrainian legislation with requirements of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and fulfill commitments undertaken during a negotiation process to WTO Member States, the Ministry's press-service said.
Notably, the draft law bans the goods import controls to which particular quotas are set.
Consideration of the issue on Ukraine's WTO accession is scheduled to take place at a meeting of the WTO General Assembly February 5-6.
Yulia Tymoshenko convincing EU of white stream gas tube use
Brussels, January 29, 2008 – Ukrinform - Ukraine proposed the European Union to study closer the possibility of participation in the project for the construction of the White Stream gas pipeline, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said at a press conference in Brussels, following her meeting with European Commission member Benita Ferrero Waldner.
"There is the Nabucco project, but we would like to propose attentive consideration of the White Stream project, as well. This project could be much more effective if Ukraine and the European Union act as partners in it," says Tymoshenko, who supports construction of a gas pipe that would supply Turkmen gas to Europe across Ukraine.
Yu.Tymoshenko emphasized that, in discussing energy questions with Ferrero-Waldner, they reached absolute mutual understanding. "We well realize our mutual interest in building a powerful system for diversification of energy carrier deliveries," Tymoshenko stated.
She also informed about the agreement reached on the creation of a sponsor group that would finance reconstruction of Ukraine's gas transportation system for natural gas delivery to Europe.
Hryhoriy Nemyrya met with American investors
Kyiv, January 31, 2008 - Press office if Vice Prime Minister - Today Vice Prime Minister for European and International Integration
Tourists’ Attractions :
4 Tourists’ Attractions
UKRANE’S REPORT
Embassy of Ukraine Information & Cultural Service
3350 M Street NW Washington DC 20007 www.mfa.gov.ua/usa
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra means Kiev Cave Monastery in Ukrainian and that is exactly how this holy complex began in 1051.
Over the centuries the Monastery took on increasing significance as a religious centre until it was considered Orthodox Christianity's equivalent of Rome or Jerusalem.
Today tourists will want to pencil in a whole day for this amazing site, which spans a whopping 28 hectares. There's not only the famous near and far caves to be visited, with their mummified monks, but also the Dormition Cathedral, the Great Lavra Belltower, and several interesting museums such as the Museum of Folk Decorative Art.
This amazing historical, architecture and religious complex is one of the most outstanding sacred places in Orthodox world. Its churches' golden domes shine brightly in the sunlight, its ancient temples compel admiration, its unique underground caves strike with awe. The history of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra starts about one thousand years ago. It was founded in 1051 by monk Anthony in a cave of the hill. His ascetic way of life made him popular about all the Kyiv Rus and the monastery grew very fast. Soon the Lavra became not only religious but also a cultural center: the first Ukrainian chronography, typography and icon painting works were made here, the first hospital was build here and the first university was based on Lavra's gymnasium.
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is the biggest museum complex of Western Europe. In 1990 it was included to the "List of UNESCO World Culture Heritage". Here you can see a lot of ancient jewelry and icons from the Lavra's collection funds that count more than 70000 items. More than 100 thousand tourists from all around the world visit the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra each year.