We must give up populism to fight crisis, says Yuschenko

17:10

Ukraine needs to take practical, not populist measures to tackle the economic crisis, Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko has said.

He was speaking during a meeting with students and professors from Ternopil National Economic University on Friday, according to the presidential press service.

According to the president, the Ukrainian economy has "significant internal resources," which could help it to fight the consequences of the crisis. He once again stressed the importance of adopting an anti-crisis package. Among the problems that the country faces, the president named "a weak budget, an unbalanced Pension Fund and [the problems at] Naftogaz Ukrainy."

The president said that last year the population's income increased by 51% nominally, but its real growth was 8%, which is the worst indicator for the last eight years.

Speaking about the importance of a balanced Pension Fund Yuschenko said that "the cabinet and the parliament should give a professional answer on this issue".

13.03.2009