The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) extends greetings to the President, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and Prime Minister of Ukraine, Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the entire Ukrainian nation on a significant historical date – the 100th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Unification Act joining the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic.
The Proclamation on 22 January 1919 of the Unification Act joining the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic attested to the unification of Ukrainian lands into one state and created a solid foundation for the launch of the liberation struggle in the spirit of unity and integrity until the attainment of Ukraine’s independence on 24 August 1991.
Today, when for the fifth year the Ukrainian territories of Crimea and the Donbas remain under Russian occupation, and on the Eastern borders of Ukraine military aggression continues, we, as never before, are aware of the importance of the unity of Ukrainian lands, and the spiritual-religious and national unity of the Ukrainian people.
The UWC affirms that its current priority continues to be all-round support for Ukraine, and the newly-elected UWC leadership is prepared to constructively cooperate with the governing authorities, political parties and civil society of Ukraine, first and foremost on the issues related to restoring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, realizing the European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Ukrainian people, and the development of Ukraine as a successful European state. Also a priority is to create conditions and continue work on the return to Ukraine of migrant Ukrainians, and to strengthen the cooperation and unity of the Ukrainian people in Ukraine and the diaspora.
“In the wake of the serious challenges being currently faced by Ukraine, the Ukrainian World Congress calls upon the Ukrainian diaspora and the people of Ukraine for unity and active cooperation in maintaining the integrity of the Ukrainian state which remains our most important responsibility today,” stated UWC President Paul Grod.
