In the past two years, the world has seen how true that is and has come to see this approach as the right one. Let us remember the old truism that pr… - Leonid Kuchma

One of the important links between peace and development is the process of arms control and disarmament. The reduction of armaments and armed forces and the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, unequivocally promote a decrease in the level of military threat, thus creating favourable external conditions for the existence and development of all members of the international community.

The best and most reliable weapon of peace is steady economic development. For developing countries and countries with economies in transition, the main factors for success in economic reforms and poverty eradication programmes consist in obtaining free access to world markets, in liberalizing trade and resolving external debt problems.

Like every people on earth, my compatriots want to live in a democratic country, without fear for their future and the life and destiny of coming generations.