President of Ukraine approved events on celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Victory and declared May 8 the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation

25 March 2015 09:51

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has signed a Decree "On Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Victory over Nazism in Europe and the 70th Anniversary of Completion of the Second World War".

The President has instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to ensure holding of festivities and memorial events dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Victory over Nazism in Europe, the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation and the Day of Victory celebrated on May 8 and 9 respectively, and the 70th anniversary of completion of the Second World War celebrated on September 2, 2015.

Also, the Government must elaborate issues on improving the living conditions of war veterans, first of all combatants, disabled persons, children of war and victims of Nazi persecutions. It also must facilitate processes of social consolidation, establish public mutual understanding and reconciliation in the issues of national history.

"The events scheduled are aimed at paying tribute to the feat of the Ukrainian nation in the victory of Anti-Hitler Coalition," Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Rostyslav Pavlenko noted at the briefing. According to the Institute of History of Ukraine of the National Academy of Sciences, from 8 to 10 million Ukrainians were killed in the Second World War. "The people of Ukraine and those who defended Ukraine must be properly commemorated," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration emphasized.

According to the Decree, each year on May 8, Ukraine will celebrate the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation. "May 8 will not be a day off. It is a day of commemoration, while May 9 will remain a day off," Rostyslav Pavlenko clarified.

The President has also instructed the Cabinet of Ministers and the National Bank of Ukraine to produce a memorial coin, stamp and envelope devoted to the 70th anniversary of Victory over Nazism in Europe. The Ministry of the Interior, the Security Service of Ukraine, regional and Kyiv CSA must take measures to ensure civil order and security of citizens in the course of the future celebration.