Mission of Ukraine to European Communities

Announcement

Cossacs

The first written mention of Cossacks appeared in the late 15th century. The appearance of Cossacks played an outstanding part in the historical fate of Ukraine. Cossacks represented a social standing of free people who defended their land and guarded its boundaries against Turkey-Tatar aggression.

In the middle of the 16th century the Cossacks created their own military-political organization: Zaporizhian Sich. It had the original military-administrative system based on the principles of Cossack democracy. The Cossacks founded specific political institutions such as: institutions of military councils, the Zaporizhian Army Kish as the higher executive-legislative organs, and their own legal proceedings.

The Cossacks were a rather b and numerous organization. K. Kosynskyi and S. Nalyvaiko led the Cossacks in the first great revolts. They took fortresses, liberated towns and villages, and their law became firmly established in the Kyiv, Volyn and Bratslav provinces. Among other great Cossack leaders were Taras Fedorovych, Pavlo But, Yakiv Ostrainyn, Dmytro Hunia.

In 1633 the Polish government, influenced by the revolts, legalized the existence of the Orthodox Church (of which Petro Mohyla was the Metropolitan), and in 1638 the Warsaw courts abolished the Cossacks' privileges which were previously conquered. Among these Cossack privileges were a legislation of their own, the appointment of officers by election, and the limitation of register.

The defeats of the Cossack rebellions of the 16th to early 17th century made the grave position of Ukrainians worse. Cossack leaders, as well as thousands of rebellious Cossacks and peasants, were annihilated and lands were redistributed. The "gold tranquillity" which prevailed in the early part of the 17th century proved the tranquillity only for Polish magnates and squires who had not obtained lessons from the events of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Gradual accumulation of force before the decisive conflict with the powerful state machine of Rich Pospolyta took place in Ukrainian society.

The Cossack of Zaporizhia

The Cossack weapons

08/02/2011 - MFA of Ukraine created an English language digest about Ukraine «Ukraine-Digest.com»

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02/02/2012 – “Naftogaz Ukraina” guarantees its obligations on transit of the natural gas to the European countries and inside the country. The company stresses that transit volumes of the natural gas through the territory of Ukraine and off-take of the imported natural gas are at the levels defined by JSC “Gazprom”. An increase in the consumption of the natural gas in Ukraine due to heavy winter conditions is compensated exclusively by the extraction of the gas from Ukrainian underground gas storages.

02/02/2012 - “ 112” emergency number will be operational in all hosting cities of EURO 2012 football Championship (Kyiv, Donets, Lviv and Kharkiv) by May 2012, said Minister for Emergencies of Ukraine Viktor Baloga.

25/01/2012 - President of Ukraine signed a Decree on “Promotion of Development of Civil Society in Ukraine”. The document provides for establishment of a Coordination Council for Development of the Civil Society as an advisory body to the President of Ukraine, as well for its terms of reference and membership. Civil sector is broadly represented in the membership of the Council.

25/01/2012 - Decree on “Formation and Organization of Activities of the Constitutional Assembly” was signed by the President of Ukraine. As it is stated in the document, the President approved the concept of the Constitutional Assembly, its formation and terms of reference as suggested by the Expert Group on Preparation of the Constitutional Assembly and based on the recommendations of the Venice Commission. A balanced approach for membership in the Assembly is suggested: not less than one half of the members shall be eminent constitutional scholars, experts in jurisprudence and in other political and social sciences.

25/01/2012 - “Reporters without Borders” published its annual report on media freedom indexes. Ukraine rated 116 which is a 15-point rise compared to last year position.

22/01/2011 - President on the occasion of Unity and Liberty Day: Only through modernization Ukraine can become strong and modern state. "This is the only way for Ukraine to fulfill itself as a strong and ambitious state in today's globalized and complex world," he said. "I clearly realize this goal. I know how to achieve it. I will act decisively and consistently. I have enough political will to gradually realize our eternal dream - strong independent Ukraine," said Viktor Yanukovych.

17/01/2012 - Viktor Yanukovych congratulates Martin Schulz on election as European Parliament President.
President Yanukovych expressed his hope that the European Parliament would continue supporting our country's European aspirations and further the implementation of the ambitious agenda of Ukraine-EU relations, whose primary task is to complete the Association Agreement. President Viktor Yanukovych also sent a letter to Jerzy Buzek thanking him for the fruitful cooperation and contribution into the development of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU while in the office of President of the European Parliament. "Ukraine highly appreciates your long and consistent support of the European aspirations of our country and strengthening its role on the international scene. During your presidency in the European Parliament special attention has been given to the European future of Ukraine," Viktor Yanukovych said in the letter