President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed law No. 1235-IX on Ukraine’s accession to the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes, which the Verkhovna Rada adopted on February 16, 2021, and which allows Ukraine not only to participate in cultural routes, but also to promote its own historical and cultural heritage.
“We have a wonderful country, very multifaceted and interesting. But, unfortunately, due to bad roads and lack of attention from the state to our historical monuments, Ukraine was almost not present on the tourist routes of Europe. But we will change that. This year, within the framework of Big Construction we are starting the Big Restoration project, which is aimed at the restoration of historical and cultural sites in Ukraine. So that both Ukrainians and foreign tourists can see the beauty and cultural diversity of Ukraine. We are building roads, improving the management of cultural heritage sites and joining the European agreement on cultural routes so that people both inside and outside the country learn more about Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
The Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes was confirmed by Resolution CM / Res (2013) 66 in the city of Strasbourg. This agreement aims to create a common cultural space in Europe by raising awareness of cultural heritage, promoting cultural dialogue in Europe, and through cross-border tourism.
Some 34 countries are parties to the agreement, and partners are the European Union and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Some 40 European cultural routes, which run in more than 50 countries, have received the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe certification as a quality distinction. Three European cultural routes now pass through the territory of Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen to join the Crimean Platform and take part in the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.
“Thank you Van der Bellen for supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty & territorial integrity. Grateful that you agree to help speed up Ukraine’s receipt of vaccine under COVAX. Please accept invitations to the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence and to join the Crimean platform,” Zelensky wrote on Twitter on Friday.
The press service of the head of state reported later that in the telephone conversation of the presidents, the main attention was paid to the measures that are being taken in Ukraine and Austria in order to counter the spread of coronavirus and strengthen the protection of citizens. Zelensky also stressed the importance of solidarity distribution of certified vaccines. In turn, Van der Bellen confirmed his readiness to facilitate the accelerated receipt of vaccines in Ukraine within the framework of the COVAX initiative.
“In my opinion, the most important thing is for this vaccine to be of high quality and effective. The sooner Ukraine receives new batches of vaccines, the sooner vaccinations will take place in our country,” Zelensky said.
In addition, the parties agreed that international sanctions against the Russian Federation should be maintained until the full restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky made changes to the composition of the Coordination Council for solving problems in urban planning, excluding Head of the Executive Committee of the National Reforms Council of Ukraine Mikheil Saakashvili, and appointed Giorgi Tskhakaia to be expert on the committee.
The head of state signed relevant decree No. 87/2021 on March 4, according to the presidential website.
Earlier, the president appointed Olena Shuliak as head of the Coordination Council. Head of the Coordination Center for ensuring interaction with the Cabinet of Ministers Volodymyr Kladiyev has been appointed its secretary.
COUNCIL FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS, MIKHEIL SAAKASHVILI, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE, SOLVING PROBLEMS
An independent energy system, cheap energy is the main goal that Ukraine is striving for, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said during a meeting devoted to the development of infrastructure and the energy sector on Wednesday.
According to the press service of the head of state, the meeting chaired by Zelensky was attended by Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak, Deputy Heads of the President’s Office Yulia Svyrydenko and Kyrylo Tymoshenko, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Krykliy, Acting Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Yuriy Vitrenko, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy and Housing and Utilities Services Andriy Gerus.
“An independent energy system, cheap energy is the main goal that Ukraine is striving for. Every Ukrainian should feel energy security and receive socially fair bills for provision of energy services,” Zelensky said.
In turn, Vitrenko said that he is working closely with the Ministry of Digital Transformation to create affordable and effective electronic services for consumers. He also said that Ukraine will put energy efficiency to a new qualitative level and will actively work on integration with the European Union in this area.
In addition, Krykliy said how the road infrastructure is being modernized and brought to the level of EU standards.
“The roads are being built according to European standards. We are introducing automatic control of the weight and speed of vehicles, rebuilding airports, working as a team to sign the Common Aviation Area Agreement with the EU. Our goal is also to eliminate monopoly in the transport system,” Krykliy said.
In addition, he said that his ministry is working to increase the share of transportation using inland waterways, liberalize, digitalize transport service markets, and simplify the working environment for business.
The meeting participants also discussed the provision of lighting for Ukrainian highways and roads, on which the Ministry of Infrastructure will work together with the Ministry of Energy.
“Ukraine should have a modern and safe infrastructure, integrated into the global transport system, which ensures high mobility of the population. This was part of my election program, and this is supported by the Ukrainians,” Zelensky said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky discussed with the profile ministers the digitalization of the economy, the strategy for the development of culture and sports for the coming years, the press service of the head of state has said.
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov told Zelensky about the goals that his ministry intends to achieve. In particular, there are plans to transfer 100% of government services online. The minister noted that about 95% of Ukrainians should have access to high-speed Internet, and the share of the IT industry in the economy should be at least 10% of GDP.
According to Fedorov, about 500,000 Ukrainians have completed digital education courses, and 2.5 million people have a high-speed Internet connection. This year, about 6,500 social facilities, including hospitals and schools, will be provided with high-quality Internet. High-speed Internet will also be provided along the main highways.
“Our goal is for Ukraine to enter the top 20 digital countries of the world. To do this, we must provide every Ukrainian with high-speed Internet anywhere in our country. Our citizens and business positively perceive digitalization and are open to innovations, and our IT specialists are valued around the world. Therefore, there is everything we need to become the world’s largest hub for high-tech manufacturing and startups,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine is working to solve the problem of high-tech development and intend to build a powerful system of industrial parks in every region of the country, said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
“We have an important and ambitious goal for the development of industrial parks. This is a world-wide principle of organizing industry, which is an effective tool for attracting investment,” Zelensky said during his speech at the “Ukraine 30. Infrastructure” forum on Monday.
He recalled that currently there are 46 industrial parks in Ukraine, but “most of them are on paper, without the necessary infrastructure, without communications, without roads.”
Zelensky also noted that the construction of social infrastructure facilities throughout the country is now actively continuing.
