Christmas is coming.

It is a good tradition among Ukrainians to congratulate their family members and close friends with this holiday.

Therefore, today I also want to congratulate all Christians with the upcoming Christmas and wish peace and calmness to everyone! For the believers of all confessions Christmas is the symbol of harmony and love of neighbour. Let this holiday motivates us to the mutual understanding and unity for the sake of our motherland prosperity.

The essence of this holiday is a trust in the peaceful world, which belongs to each of us, it is hope of salvation and love of a neighbour. Today we all believe that Ukraine will live in peace, harmony and prosperity.

These days Christians feel unity with each other in a very special way. The song of salvation and victory of good over evil sounds from all Ukrainian temples, and families celebrate birth of the Christ together.

I wish this holiday fill your souls with happiness and kindness! I wish that the long-awaited peace would finally set in Ukraine and in the whole world! Please accept my sincerest greetings and wishes!

Dear friends!

I heartily congratulate you on upcoming New Year!

The last year was difficult for all of us. We have passed challenges and have become stronger. Ukrainian and Israeli people have one common goal - we want to live in peace.

There is a saying in Israel: "The year will pass with its curses, the new will start with its blessings."

May next year bring you and your family happiness, joy and hope for the best!

On the New Year’s Eve, I want to wish Ukraine and Israel peace and faith in their own strength!

I am convinced that we can achieve stability only through joint efforts. Only optimism and faith in oneself will help us to overcome difficulties.

I am sure that friendship between us will become stronger and partnership even more reliable over next year.

Let the upcoming year will be generous for good luck, brings you love, happiness, family welfare and respect.

I wish peace, harmony and prosperity to you and your families! Happy New Year!

According to the annual tradition a delegation from Israel was invited to Ukraine by the Jewish Agency for Israel.

As a rule the delegation includes representatives of the executive and legislative authorities, public and cultural figures.

To my opinion these visits are very important and productive. They help not only to get acquainted with the country, but also go into the activities of the Jewish organizations operating in Ukraine more deeply, to understand their problems and concerns.

The vice-speaker of the Knesset and the head of the delegation M.K. Meir Cohen, M.K. Hamad Amar, M.K. Nava Boker and M.K. Merial Ben Arias, Secretary General of the Jewish Agency for Israel Zhosch Schwartz, the Head of the speaker’s administration Albert Saharovich, Adviser of the Prime Minister on politic issues Kobe Tsoref, the member of staff of the Ministry of Interior in the State of Israel Lior Sugar and other officials visited Ukraine this year.

Most of the delegates visited Ukraine for the first time. Israeli politicians were impressed by the activities of the Jewish community.

I am very glad that I had the opportunity to show for such an honorable delegation the activity of the Honorary Consulate. We were able to discuss a number of initiatives. Their implementation will considerably strengthen the cooperation between Israel and the Western Ukraine.

The festive dinner organized by the Honorary Consulate in honor of Hanukkah except members of the Israeli delegation was visited by the head of the faction “Samopomich” and the deputy of Verkhovna Rada Oleh Bereziuk, the Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine on European Integration Rutytska Vladyslava and the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Science and education Lilia Grinevich. Ukrainian and Israeli politicians concurred in necessity of creating a free trade area, strengthening and expansion of cooperation in the social and cultural sphere.

At the beginning of the evening Rabbi Jonathan Markovich lit a hanukkah candle.

Dear friends,

I want to congratulate all the Jews on the holiday of Hanukkah!

Hanukkah is a day of freedom, victory of light over darkness, when the power of human hope and the heaven miracle defeated tyrant. Hanukkah menorah is a symbol of victory. I know that with the help of our hope we can win all the enemies again and hold out in the struggle for our own future.

Within these days when holiday lights are lighted, I want that each house will be illiminated by this light filling with joy every soul that would bring peace and tranquility in our families. I wish you all happy holidays! I sincerely wish that in your families, like the Chanukah lights, multiply the hope and well-being!

Dear friends!

Today I met with Mr. Natan Sharansky, the chairman of the Jewish Agency ("Jewish Agency"). I would like to acquaint you with this legendary man.

Natan Sharansky is a dissident, a human rights activist, a writer, an outstanding statesman. But above all, he is a man of the epoch. Sharansky’s life is a symbol of the fight for beliefs. He was able to prove by his own example that any human or citizen could resist the system. Even during his imprisonment he became a symbol of the struggle with the Soviet totalitarian system: thousands of people, being angry with puppet trial of Sharansky, united around the world and came out for human rights. In 1977 Sharansky was arrested on charges of treason and anti-Soviet agitation. As a result he was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment: thecompletion of sentence for first three years was in prison and during following years he had to be in a forced labor camp. The Soviet Union agreed to release him only after numerous demonstrations around the world and petitions of politicians in Europe and the United States. For nine years his wife Avital made continuous efforts to release her husband. She convinced politicians and powerful Jews all over the world not to weaken the pressure on the Soviet authorities and force them to release her husband. Under the influence of the international community, the Soviet officials expressed their willingness to release Sharansky but if he personally would ask to do this for humanitarian reasons. He refused.

However the imprisonment did not break him. On the contrary, it became a kind of "starting point" confirming that he fought for the truth. "Next year in Jerusalem", said Sharansky in the court. Only on 11 February 1986, Sharansky, two West German citizens and a Czech citizen were released on the border of West Berlin. They were exchanged for Soviet spy Yevgeni Zemlyakov, Czech spies Karl Koecher and Hana Koecher arrested in the USA, Polish spy Ezgi Kachmarek and East German spy Detlef Scharfenorth

Such people like Natan Sharansky were called "prisoners of conscience". They can not live without their moral beliefs, they are not able to betray, humiliate or lie. Natan Sharansky would never call white black: many times he was on the brink of physical exhaustion, starved, appealing against injustice and lies. Either way, he was trying to wake up the sleeping consciousness of former fellow citizens, to show them that you can not be afraid of.

For years Natan Sharansky has been conducting awareness activity to unite the Israeli, to restore its traditions and ideas and among young people, to help those who want to find their own home again. In his work he is guided by the same principles as before - justice, honesty, conscience.

I am very glad that I can communicate freely with people like Natan Sharansky. I think that it would be great for each of us to have at least a tenth of that fortitude which this man has.

“They attacked our airplane while it was peacefully bombing our cities…”

The events of last week made us recollect “cold War” when propaganda convinced us to arm, defend and fight back to theoretical enemy. Nowadays poles are changed. It is time of deterrence. Whom do we restrain? And the main issue is “from what”?

November 24, after many warnings Turkish Air Force shot down Russian SU-24 fighter jet which violated its air space. This event became the point of no return in relationship between the world community and Russia.

For last 20 years the world community is in the state of “abiding concern” silently observing Russia’s aggressive actions against Slavic and other “fraternal people”. Imaginary empire gradually tries to bring back territories which were considered being their own. The main argument in this process is Grad multiple rocket launcher system, air-fighters and Special military forces.

Last 2 years clearly demonstrate that European “policy of deep anxiety” hasn’t even moral influence on the situation solution. No country gave a rebuff to Russia for its actions. What is the result of implementation of economic sanctions against Russia? Those Russians, who get used to eat jamon and oysters, now are flying to the “forbidden” European countries to eat them there. The rest of people is eating potato as usual.

While European politicians express “deep anxiety” again, Turkey behaves like a true eastern warrior: if it is another warplane, another rocket will be an answer. Position of Erdogan is more that decisive.

Softly speaking Russia’s position is strange. “It’s a stab in back, we impose sanctions”.

The stab in back is to bring troops to the territory of another state and to declare “Crimea is ours”. The stab in back is “green people” and auto-caravans with weapons disguised as humanitarian goods. And we can say that there are many of these stabs.

Is it a stab in back to shoot down a warplane of other country which violated airspace of your state that doesn’t react on warnings? It’s a slap in face. It is deserved and given in time.

Should we be so afraid of Russia? Why is it still for the world community the terrible super-power state which the Soviet Union was? Why does Europe keep looking with caution at the East without knowing what to expect? Why do Russian aircraft keep flying into the territory of the united Europe “by accident”? Maybe it is high time to understand that history will not repeat? USSR is dead and only Russia remembers it.

Nowadays the Turkish Air Force is the second largest one in the Middle East following Israel. The Turkish Naval Forces are based along the European coast exceeding far the power of Russia.

November 29, a Russian military jet violated Israeli airspace. Is it a coincidence? It is hard to believe that the Russian aircraft navigation system fails so often. The situation was resolved only by the Defense Minister of Israel. We can see that Russia keeps its provocative policy in an attempt to return its influence in the Middle East and make a bipolar world again.

It is always difficult to live next to a neighbor who is unpredictable: Israel knows about it firsthand. But it is impossible to live in peace with that one which provokes you not by stone throwing but military flights, "lost" warships and nuclear submarines. If Turkey being not the most powerful county in economy and military, meets the challenge with dignity - maybe it's time for European politicians to protect themselves not only by sanctions?

Israeli cultural centre under the patronage of the Honorary Consulate of the State of Israel in Western Ukraine keeps conducting awareness activity in Ukraine.

Last week a seminar dedicated to klezmer music took place at the cultural centre which was held by teachers and musicians Polina Shepherd (England) and Ilja Saytanov (Moscow). Experienced teachers were presenting a musical tradition of Eastern European Jews to the youth of Lviv.

Music of Eastern European Jews originates from national music of ancient Israel. Klezmers were Jewish musicians in Eastern Europe. This word comes from “kli-zemer” that means “musical instrument” in Hebrew, in Yiddish this word means just “musician”.

Any Jewish national celebration and there are many of them, were always accompanied by cheerful music. You cannot imagine wedding, bar-mizva, Hanuka or even funeral without musicians. Also Jewish musicians were often invited to Slavic national celebrations as a part of joined bands. The main and favourite instruments of klezmer music became violin, cymbals, clarinet, trumpet and drums.

The result of 3-days seminar was a concert-improvisation for musicians from Lviv region. Besides, an exhibition “Jewish craft” (“Creative workshop” Nechama) has been opened in the Honorary Consulate. The exhibition consists of works made by various techniques – from ancient (such as Jewish rejzele or embroidery which is the art of creating lacy patterns on paper) to contemporary.

The works of participants of creative workshop “Nehama” are made in technique of stained glass painting, cold and hot batik, ceramics painting and also in very popular technique of felting - wool felting.

The works of Jewish masters, musicians and painters are filled with emotions. For centuries of harassment Jews learned to appreciate life. If a Jewish is sad, he expresses his grief passionately in a sorrow melody. Also joy of Jewish nation is impetuous, it captivates you even through a rainy day.

We propose you to visit Jewish cultural centre in Lviv to see the works of the artists personally.

Honorary Consulate of the State of Israel in Western Ukraine announces a contest of student’s video works “Ukraine per minute

An official visit of the president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko to Israel will take place at the end of December 2015. The Honorary Consulate of the State of Israel in Western Ukraine announces a contest of student’s video works “Ukraine per minute” to support friendly relationship between Ukraine and Israel.

Aim of the contest: contribution in comprehensive development of Ukrainian youth’s cultural initiative and popularization of image of Ukraine in the world.

Participants of the contest: students of High School of Ukraine.

Issue of the contest: per one minute the participants of the contest have to represent their vision of Ukraine in free form. Show the world your country through your eyes!

Conditions: Video works should be set in public access on your web-site with hashtag #Ukraineinoneminute or#україназахвилину. We also ask you to send video works on our e-mail of The Honorary Consulate of the State of Israel in Western Ukraine enquiries@il-consul.com

Video should be in electronic form of high quality. For video recording you can use any electronic devices. Duration of video is up to 60 seconds.

Reward: The winner gets 10 thousand hrn. Besides the winner’s video work will be demonstrated at the Kneset within the official visit of the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.

Deadline for sending contest’s works is the 17th of December 2015.

The winners of the contest will be announced on the 18th of December 2015.

Learn more please write to enquiries@il-consul.com

All interested are welcome!

November 28, 2015 Ukrainians commemorate Holodomor and political repressions victims. Today Ukrainians revoke one of the most dramatic periods in their history.

Famine ... This issue is the most painful one while remembering the terrible years of Soviet terror. According to various estimates from 3 to 7 million people died in Ukraine because of the 1932-1933 famine. Every minute Ukraine lost 17 of its children, every hour - about a thousand, every week - about 25 thousand. According to investigators data about 6,122,000 people were not born because of the famine.

Famine was a powerful weapon to conquer the recalcitrant and was widely used since ancient times. If the attackers could not take an enemy city by assault, they took it in siege and the defendants, exhausted by hunger, finally surrendered in favor of the winner or died. When in 1921 starving peasants appealed for help to Lev Trotsky, he said "Are you starving?! This is not a famine yet. When the Roman emperor Titus took Jerusalem, in the besieged city mothers ate their children. When your mothers start to eat their children, then you can come and say: "We are famishing".

It is necessary to know the history of your own country and draw a lesson from its events. The one, who does not remember the past, has no future. Even today there are people who survived that terrible time. In every Ukrainian village during those terrible years there were death books in which those died of famine were recorded including their age, ethnicity, gender.

This year the Holodomor victims’ commemoration events are held at the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, recalling the “People of the truth” - the brave thanks to whom the world learned about the Holodomor. Each of them could give their life for the publication of the actual facts of deaths in Ukraine. Among such people there are the names of British journalist Gareth Jones and Malcolm Muggeridge, American historian James Mace, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Andrey Sheptytsky and Ukrainian writer Ulas Samchuk.

Today we can freely go in for sports or scientific activities, express our opinions, choose a dress, read what we like, support any party. Our parents could do far less. Our grandparents even had no opportunities that their children had.

The invaluable thing is that today the Ukrainians can speak freely to the world about millions innocently murdered compatriots. History has proved that Ukrainians are one of the strongest nations in the world and I believe in its future!

By the second anniversary of Euromaidan US Embassy in Ukraine has created a video that commemorates those events.

Authors incredibly and accurately visualized the atmosphere and revived an amazing spirit of community, commitment and determination, prevailed on the streets of the capital.

On that day a simple post of a young Ukrainian journalist gave an impulse to the events that eventually led to the Revolution of Dignity. Ukrainians went to defend their freedom, dignity and the rule of law.

“We support the Ukrainians in their constant ambition for the development of brighter, fairer European future. We are convinced that Ukraine is Europe, no matter what the government decides”, the embassy said.

Today like two years ago, we deliberately go to democratic, European values, proving every day that the Ukrainian people chose their way.

Friends, I suggest you to watch the video, and remember why did Ukrainians go on the Maidan and how did it all start.

Dear friends,

Today I want to come back to the issue of higher education. Activities of the Honorary Consul are aimed at the development relations between Ukraine and Israel in the education field as well.

I have always said that people are the main source of any nation prosperity. Economic and social well-being of the whole society depends directly on the state support of education. Today higher and professional education has become increasingly important. For successful development, professionals must have not only general knowledge but also highly specialized one. Cybernetics, bionics and genetics cannot be self-studied.

Today Israel allocates huge funds for education that is a little less than 10% of GDP, at the same time it is not characteristic/common for/in other states. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Israel takes one of the top places in the world in the number of citizens with higher education. 57% of Israelis obtained the academic degree in 2014. Despite the global economic crisis the Israeli government is increasing its funding for universities.

According to the UN research, Israel has the highest literacy rate in the region and Israeli universities are considered to be one of the leaders in the field of information technology teaching. Besides, the country ranks first in the world in the number of scientific publications per capita.

What can Ukraine boast of? It is rather possible to make an anti-rating. Not so long ago our country has joined the Bologna education system. But has something changed in deed and not in name?

Ukraine is very proud of the fact that a large number of high school graduates have higher education. But at the same time higher education diploma often becomes something like a certificate of secondary school graduation: the actual level of graduate’s knowledge does not depend on either a university or estimates which are in the certificate. Recently one of the Ukrainian high-ranking officials during the interview, on a journalist's question why does Ukraine have so many engineering specialists while there is no work for them, answered that the state is not obliged to deal with their employment. Now according to the new rules a university at which a student studies, is responsible for it.

Let me also remind you that recently the Cabinet of Ministers offered the Parliament to reduce education expenses, explaining it by difficult economic situation in the country. What are the prospects of Ukraine with such an approach to education? I’d rather not be a pessimist but facts are stubborn things.

However, today Ukrainian young people have an opportunity to receive education in Israel. Special workshops are held regularly by Cultural Center under the patronage of the Honorary Consulate within which young people can learn about the features of higher education in Israel, about the possibilities of obtaining a grant for studying, as well as about subsidized programs and projects of leading Israeli universities.

Being the Honorary Consul of Israel I’ll strain after consolidation of cultural and educational ties between the two countries. The future of our children depends on our present choices.

UIA increases number of Lviv – Tel-Aviv flights

Ladies and gentlemen!

Our initiative of direct Lviv – Tel-Aviv flight launching has positive continuation: since January 24, 2016 the Ukraine International Airlines company will double the number of flights between Lviv and Tel Aviv.

Besides direct regular flight which is held on Wednesdays, now passengers can travel between the two cities on Sundays as well. Flights will be performed by modern planes "Boeing-737", there are two classes of service: Business and Economy.

As you remember in May 2015, both the Honorary Consulate and the Embassy of the State of Israel and the UIA officially started regular flights between Lviv and Tel Aviv.

In my opinion direct flight between Lviv and Tel Aviv is a significant step for maintaining family ties, friendship and partnership between the Israelis and Ukrainians. Today Israel is home for about 400 000 families from Ukraine.

Of course, these people are interested in everything what is going on in Ukraine, they have friends here and many of them have business with Ukrainian partners.

The ability to fly directly to the city is a huge money and time savings. A demand for flights speaks for itself, initially the flight was planned as a summer and seasonal one, and currently there are two regular flights per week. The Israelis visit resorts of Western Ukraine, Ukrainians fly to Israel for recreation, medical tourism and pilgrimage.

I believe that the communication between the two countries is one of the most important issues for today. This is an opportunity to demonstrate the economic and social stability of the region to foreign partners, a chance to attract investors to Ukrainian projects.

Germans apologized for labeling Israeli products

Good afternoon!

A story of labeling Israeli products in Europe is continued. More and more people are aware of absurdity of such measures, considering them as far-fetched and incompatible with reason.

Following some Eurozone politicians, businessmen who were suggested those new cooperation terms, discuss this controversial innovation as well. So representatives of the largest in Europe German department store KaDeWe announced that all goods produced beyond the "green line" in Israel were returned on the shelves to full amount. They are not going to label Israeli goods any more.

Earlier all products made in Israel were taken away from the shelves of shopping malls for testing and labelling. Germany labels the Jewish goods, it is very sad analogy.

Now the management of the shopping mall has apologized to Israeli producers for "misunderstanding." In addition the administration of the department store stressed that KaDeWe denies discrimination and intolerance in any form.

I want to believe that sooner or later politicians will understand that the world can not be divided into the Israeli, the Germans, the French or the Americans, the best and worst one. We will live in peace and friendship till ordinary citizens can be surprised by labelling of their usual products. Any xenophobia can not be justified by good intentions, political preferences. Its reason is only in fear and misunderstanding.

Ukraine joined the EU program "Creative Europe"

Dear friends,

Today I want to share good news with you: November 19, Ukraine signed an agreement with the European Commission on the participation of the country in the EU program "Creative Europe". This program is one of the largest projects of the European Commission in the cultural and humanitarian spheres.

The "Creative Europe" project is set for 2014-2020. It gives more financial opportunities for the development of cultural and creative sectors for the EU Member States and countries participating in the "Eastern Partnership". Indicative funding is 1.46 billion euro.

The country’s image in the world is "made" not only by politicians, but also by people of culture. The songs, poetry or music will outlive their authors for the centuries to become a bridge between generations and nations. It is well demonstrated by the historical example of both Ukrainian and Israeli peoples, who have kept their identity as a nation and have re-born thanks to the preservation of cultural traditions.

The Honorary Consulate of Israel actively supports the initiatives of the Jewish cultural organizations in Ukraine. Thanks to the support of the Consulate there is Ukrainian Jewish Charitable Foundation "Hesed-Arieh", youth clubs and concerts are held. I believe that now more than ever it is important to support youth projects. In terms of military aggression culture can become the lightning rod that will express emotions about painful issues.

Ukraine has always been rich in talents: there is openness to the world, humanity, and the absence of any xenophobia in our traditions. Today, when Ukraine has to defend its borders, the question of cultural values ​​came to the fore. Through the cultural values ​​we are aware of ourselves as a single nation. I think you will agree that the very image of the country largely depends on the use of cultural potential.

I am sure that cooperation within the "Creative Europe" will let us show our best sides at European arena and learn the traditions of European nations. The only thing I hope that Ukrainian culture will not be a hostage of bureaucracy and corruption once again. Ukraine shares the European values. Now it’s Europe’s turn to acquaint closer with Ukrainian traditions.

Dear friends,

Do you love animals like I love them? Do you know what your pets do while waiting for you at home? I do not know it as well)

But smart gadgets know: selling of Petcube gadget designed by Ukrainian developers began in Ukraine on October 27. The device will allow pet owners to keep watch over their pets at a distance.

Petcube helps pets and their owners to chat and play by smartphone.

If you connect it with network, you can watch your pet, entertain it by a laser pointer, talk to it by a speaker, and so on, being anywhere in the world! I am confident that not only pets like it, but their owners as well (especially the young one).

I’d like to admit that in 2014 Petcube won in the "Best Hardware Startup" category at the prestigious European startup competition “The Europas”.

I’m always happy when the work of young engineers, technology development in Ukraine is implemented in the real things. I am convinced that the priority of any state that would like to occupy a worthy place in the contemporary world should be a support of such projects development.

On November 21, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Dignity and Freedom

Events of November 21 became fateful for Ukraine. Just then two years ago, we chose our future.

Ukrainians have always been freedom-loving nation. For centuries we often have to defend the right of our own existence. The consequence of this struggle was the formation of the Ukrainian nation, self-identity, self-esteem. Over the years of Ukraine’s independence, two revolutions become a kind of a test, during which Ukrainians defended their freedom once again.

It is very symbolic that the students became a force that changed the march of Ukrainian history. At the Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) in Kiev two years ago, the youth went out to tell the world that Ukraine chose the European way of development. The young people who are state’s agemates decided that they are those, that should guide Ukraine. And that’s right, who defines the future of the country but young people? Because it is our children, that will live in it in the future.

On November 21, 2013, they made their choice.

Today we also commemorate those who gave their lives in the struggle for free, fair and civilized future of our country. Thousands of patriots sacrificed themselves for their country's right to decide its own destiny. Was their sacrifice unavailing? It's a question of history.

This year, the events dedicated to the Dignity and Freedom day will be held under the slogan "The free create the future!". On November 21, according to the Decree of the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko,celebrations and memorial events with the participation of officials and public figures, as well as members of the revolutionary events in Ukraine in 2004, 2013-2014, hundreds of families of Heaven’s Hundred Heroes, members of the ATO, volunteers and clergy will be held in all cities of Ukraine.

Surely, we all have to remember by what price we got our Independence, we have to honor all those who fought for our future, sometimes at the cost of their own lives. All of them, like us, wanted to live in a peaceful, free and prosperous Ukraine. Today it is up to us which way to go next.

Dear friends, Today I want to share with you some thoughts about health care of mother and child.

Currently in Ukraine when all resources of the state are focused on the support of the exhausted economy and the territory defense, we should remember about the most important thing is our children’s health. Future generation is nation’s future. I believe that the expectant mothers’ health should be a priority of the state policy.

Today there are both economic and demographic crises in Ukraine. The country's population is aging rapidly causing even greater crisis in economic development. Weak state support of social spheres actually exacerbates the process. If we don’t stop in time, the UN predicts that by 2050 Ukraine's population will decrease to 34 million people. Can Ukraine be called a dying country, a country of pensioners?

In September the president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko admitted within his speech at the Sustainable Development Summit of the United Nations that over last 15 years Ukraine reduced the infant mortality rate almost twice and improved maternal health within Millennium Development Goal framework. However these data fell again because of the events in the east of the country. Maternal mortality rates have remained one of the highest in Europe.

According to the UNICEF Children's Fund, the mortality rate of pregnant and parturient women in Israel is one of the lowest in the world. The Jewish state along with several other countries is on third place in the international ranking. Since 1990 in Israel the mortality rate of pregnant and parturient women has decreased by 54.5%.

Besides Israel, Iceland, Sweden, Greece and Poland are top countries where mothers can feel safe as well.

What are the reasons for such high rates? What should the officials of Ministry of Health in Ukraine pay attention to? The answer is simple and difficult at the same time: the level of medicine in Israel is one of the highest in the world; the state is constantly increasing the number of medical facilities, which are designed to monitor the health of mother and child.

Evidently, it is very difficult to provide sustainable development of medicine within the territory of war actions. However, in this case the sample of Israel is significant. Even for years of neighbors’ permanent aggression not only the level of the economy increased, but the world's best national health care system was created. Without any doubt it is a guarantee of nation and state existence in the future.

In my posts I often mention that Ukrainian authorities have to learn much from their Israeli colleagues. The issue of health care of mother and child is not an exception.

Europe began Israeli goods boycott

On November 11, 2015 the European Union began to label products produced across the "Green line", i.e. in the territories of Judea, Samaria, the Golan Heights and Eastern Jerusalem. Goods supplied to European market will be labeled by a special sign.

Today Israeli people need special support because of constant terrorist attacks. Instead of this Brussels has decided that it's time to give a "special status" for a group of Israeli goods. It doesn’t look like the policy of good neighborliness.

However not all Europeans are ready to support the decision of the European Commission. For instance Hungary does not intend to label Israeli goods. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary Peter Siyatro declared this. According to his words a special labeling of the products will not help to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Besides, the chair of European Parliament delegation for relations with Israel Fulvio Martushello expressly declared that the decision to label Israeli goods was a mistake. According to his words many European countries doubted the correctness of the decision.

Especially revealing is that at the same time Europe is not going to give up Israeli technology or weapons. They are not labeled, there are no special shelves for them, and they are not called to be boycotted. This is the policy of double standards in action, ladies and gentlemen!

Today the EU is the largest trading partner of Israel: annual export amount of Israeli goods is about 15.6 billion shekel. Almost half of them have being produced across the "Green Line". Israeli products proved to be of high quality and efficiency. Many of you know foods, cosmetics, clothing or appliances produced in Israel. «Made in Israel» is a sign of quality and reliability.

What will be the result of such EU decision? Whom will it help: Palestinians, Jews or European? It is quite expected that today the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to draw up a list of retaliation measures as for the EU. However while politicians play economy, sanctions and ambiguous markings, only ordinary citizens lose.

Ukraine in EURO 2016!

Congratulations to Ukrainian football team on the access to UEFA EURO 2016 final!

The festival of sport, demonstrated by Ukrainian football players, was really a "validol" one. But after a confident victory of our team in previous games I do not doubt of their victory.

The advantage of the Ukrainian team was evident even after the last match with Slovenia. And although the game was tense, Ukrainians have proven that they are worth the highest podiums! Yarmolenko, as usual, was at his best and got a ticket for the team to the European Championship.

Within our crazy time when we get tired of the bad news, the victory of the Ukrainian sportsmen is more important than ever, they give us confidence, make us to remember that together we are powerful.

I wish our players bright victories in Euro 2016! We believe in Ukrainian football and cheer for you!

G20 Summit results: fight against global terrorism and help the refugees

Yesterday G20 summit ended in Antalya, Turkey. World leaders discussed strengthening the fight against international terrorism, the inconvertibility of the ground campaign in Syria, the thaw in relations with Moscow, as well as the growing problem of refugees. Against the backdrop of terrorist attacks in Paris, the issue of Ukraine went by the wayside.

I think that the main achievement of the G20 meeting can be regarded as a joint statement of the participating countries, which stressing that terrorism can not be associated with a particular religion, nationality or ethnic group. Events in Paris confirmed this statement when the terrorists appeared to be French citizens.

According to the "Global Terrorism Index", the number of victims of terrorism in the world over last year increased by 80%. In Israel only for last month there were more than 600 (!!) attacks during which 11 Israelis were killed. In Ukraine the conflict in the Donbass is escalating with new force.

Today like hundreds years ago crazy fanatics are trying to split the world into friends and foes when "right" is determined by the color of the skin, church, ideology or country of residence. They have chosen the bombs, bullets and violence in their struggle like primitive savages with sticks.

In our world terrorism has crossed a line of a particular state or nation. Today some countries are often not able to cope with the terrorist threat by 100%. They only have to repel the endless attacks.

Recent mass terrorist attacks in Paris, threats posed by ISIS militants about attacks on Washington proved once again that only by joining forces, it is possible to confront the evil of terrorism. It turned out that even in the heart of Europe, in a city that is a symbol of love and beauty for the whole world and no one can feel safe.

In his speech at the G20 summit the US leader Barack Obama rhetorically asked the heads of the Arab countries: “How is it happened that Islamic extremism was able to strike root there?” Indeed, why the younger generation shows more hatred and intolerance?

Statements of the "G20" leaders are very important right now. Today, the targets of violence of terrorists are not the Israelis, Ukrainians or French. The whole humanity is subjected to attacks of the murderers. It means that only by uniting against this global evil we can protect and preserve our world and our lives.

The European Union formed anti -Russian propaganda committee

It’s hard to imagine modern life without information, without any means of communication, a telephone. TV and social networks have often challenged the real world. Everyday thousands of people are in a hurry to bring to our houses information about weather, national currency, or changes in government policies. The Day of workers of television, radio and communications is today.

I think their work is difficult to overestimate. "Who owns the information, he owns the world" everyone knows this motto. Digital communication channels distribute information in real time and around the world in a split second. Is it good or bad? The consciousness of every person in any developed country is largely formed by mass media. That’s great to receive promptly news or study online. But there is other side of the coin, the information in the hands of "wrong" people becomes powerful weapon.

We all have observed how the events which are taking place in Ukraine, are "modified" after the skillful editing in the hands of certain "journalists." And here we can see the crucified children, babies stuffed with bullfinches and other images, bright created by modern technologies. So bright that people even believe it.

At such moments I remember the times of the Cold War. At that time any opinion depended on the lines of newspapers and broadcaster’s voice. Is time cyclical? Yes, probably, because now it is happening all the same. The modern world is trying to divide into several opposing camps, accusing each other of all sins. It is important to understand where the truth.

Today the EU creates a committee which will debunk the false Russian media. A team of volunteers will be engaged in a survey of disinformation, called EU Task Forces. More than 300 experts from 30 countries will be in the group. This multinational team determined to demonstrate to Europeans the amount of Russian media disinformation which they receive every day.

Let me remind you that the budget of propaganda-giant Russia Today is several times more than the budget of the Commercial BBC. It is very difficult but necessary to contend with such a machine.

Modern person , as well as ancestors, continues to live in captivity of myths and fairy tales. Can we distinguish reality from falsehood? There is only one way: to live honestly, always stay human, guided by moral values and not by fashion and general mood.

Today my post is about modern achievements of Ukrainian aircraft designers

On Sunday I do not want to talk about politics and everyday problems. Today my post is about modern achievements of Ukrainian aircraft designers. Currently when the economy is bled by military operations in the east of the country, local engineers represent our country in the global market and compete with leading design bureaus.

At Dubai Air Show-2015 Ukraine presented new AN-178 and AN-132.

AN-178 was created instead of well-known veteran AN-12, it can be operated in conditions of the Middle East and Africa. According to experts estimation the demand of the world market is about 300 of such aircrafts.

Multi-purpose transport aircraft of new generation AN-132 will be produced in collaboration with partners from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in participation with leading aviation companies of the world. In future a plant of such jetliners production is going to be built at the territory of Saudi Arabia.

Today reality dictates its own terms, so Ukrainian aviation industry is actively looking for new markets in Africa, the Middle East and in the West. The plans of the national designers are reorientation of production and replacement of Russian deatils into Ukrainian counterparts. I think this strategy is not only a manifestation of true patriotism but the real movement towards a stable independent economy.

Today in Paris in a series of terrorist attacks more than 150 people were killed, 200 people suffered burns and injuries.

The mad act of violence and aggression shocked the world.

At this terrible time on behalf of the citizens of Ukraine and Israel, I want to express my deepest condolences to the people of France due to the brutal murders of Parisians.

Not a single country can remain indifferent to what has happened. The whole world should unite in one front of relentless fight against terrorism.

Currently a threat of terrorist attacks has spread not only in those countries where there is war actions. Even in peaceful countries where there is no military aggression, ordinary citizens cannot be sure of their safety.

We have to close our borders, to close our homes and fear of the outside world, because the group of cruel murders decided that they have a right to control human destiny, to decide who will live and who will die today.

Ukrainians, as well as Israeli, know firsthand what the aggressor is: for last few years, we have learned to distinguish insiders and outsiders. Never and nowhere terrorists should be "insiders". From demagoguery and populism, we have to move on to firm and resolute measures to fight this plague of the 21st century.

Today our thoughts are with the people of France! We all pray for the souls of innocent killed. Let our common empathy and support to ease the pain to the bereaved families and speedy recovery of the injured ones.

Peaceful sky above all of us!

The opening ceremony of the memorial to the victims of the Holodomor in 1932-1933 took place in Washington this Saturday.

I think it is very symbolic that this memorial is opened at a time when the Ukrainian people defend their right for their own existence once again. As a strategic partner the United States support Ukraine not for the first time and express their solidarity in the struggle for independence and freedom.

The memorial was built jointly by the Government of Ukraine and Ukrainian Diaspora in the USA to commemorate millions of Ukrainians who died of famine.

The memorial was set at Capitol Hill close to the complex of buildings of the US Congress at the Columbus Square in front of Union Station, the largest railway station of the American capital.

At the opening and consecrating ceremony of the memorial there were thousands of Ukrainians from different states, as well as Americans of Ukrainian descent. The president's wife Marina Poroshenko, the US senators and representatives of the diplomatic corps, as well as religious, cultural and public figures took part at the opening ceremony.

The monument is a bronze plate on a stone base in the form a field of wheat spikelets. They symbolize the millions of lives, destroyed by artificial famine. The idea of the memorial of Larissa Kurilas, American of Ukrainian descent won the contest.

At the opening ceremony of the monument Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, addressed to the participants in video message. During the ceremony a video message of President Barack Obama was broadcasted as well as appeals of former US President George W. Bush, the presidential candidate, the former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, congressmen and senators.

The US has always expressed solidarity with Ukraine in its aspiration for democratic goals. The opening of the memorial demonstrates once again that the United States and Ukraine share the same values. The Americans like the Ukrainians understand that the most valuable thing is a human life. Today Ukrainians faced closely once again the necessity of self-defense. Therefore such demonstration of our allies’ support can not be overstated.

I completely agree with the words of Marina Poroshenko, who said in her speech: "We commemorate every soul, every victim, and every martyr. This monument is a resurrection of our national memory. I would like this pedestal to become an admonishment of crimes against mankind and humanity all over the world. "

Preparations for 75th anniversary of Babi Yar tragedy

November 11, 2015 the second meeting of the Organizational Committee on preparation and holding of events, dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Babi Yar tragedy took place at the Government Building in Kyiv. The meeting was attended by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the co-head of the organizational committee, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Boris Lozhkyn, the head of the Presidential Administration, government members, representatives of Ukrainian and international Jewish organizations, scientists, politicians, public figures, representatives of cultural authorities, clergy and members of the Parliament.

Being the Honorary Consul of the State of Israel, I was invited to serve on the committee as well.

It is big pleasure to note the fact that after the first session there are already visible results: security system and video surveillance was installed in Babi Yar. It will stop constant cultural violence connected with the monuments. This is extremely important and necessary step, because only within the last year the Minora monument was desecrated more than 6 times.

Within yesterday's meeting, the Committee discussed the preparation of future event, the creation of financial fund and thematic symbolics. It is planned to hold a contest among architectural bureaus, including foreign ones, on the design of a memorial like the famous Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. To implement this initiative a conference of patrons willing to sponsor the creation of this monument will be held as well.

Also it was offered to create a righteous alley in Babi Yar park complex, where it will be commemorated not only Ukrainians who were saving Jews but also guerilla, underground fighters, Gypsies, prisoners of war - all those who met their deaths of Nazi executioners.

I should say that there is still no exposure of the tragedy in Babi Yar. It is planned that the building at 48 Melnikov Street will be a museum of Babi Yar where such exhibition will be always open for citizens and guests of the capital.

Babi Yar is a very sacral place. This is the first precedent in the history when more than 150,000 people of one nationality were killed just because they were Jews. We have to honour, to protect and take care of the place of last gasp of those innocently killed.
This bloody statistics should be hand down from generation to generation, explained, told, shown, forced to understand and feel all the fear and horror of all committed actions in order no one has ever an idea to repeat this once again.

The 75th anniversary of Babi Yar tragedy is a global event. August 12, 2015 the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko signed Decree “On the Events on the Occasion of the 75th Anniversary of Babi Yar Tragedy” by which the organizational committee on the above mentioned event was established in September 2016. Currently German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, heads of other European countries, well-known public figures, representatives of culture and business are going to be invited to the event.

Ukraine has to prepare for this event in a proper way and show the world that we know, remember and honour our history.

Ukrainian programmers are invited to work in Israel

Dear friends, yesterday I wrote about Israel's vast experience in the field of cyber security. Ukraine has a good example to follow as Israeli experts are ready to share their knowledge with Ukrainian colleagues. There are many words said about cooperation between Ukraine and Israel in IT, agriculture, medicine, science and culture. Today I want to talk about another way of interaction between the two countries.

As you know Israel is one of the world leaders in the field of information technology. However, at the background of constantly increasing demand of IT market, Israeli companies have not enough staff to provide such amount of work. Let me remind you that the population of Israel is only about 8.5 million people and demand for the programmers is increasing by an average of 12-15% on a quarterly basis.

According to the words of Or Offer the founder of the Israeli company SimilarWeb, today Israel needs about 10 thousand programmers. Therefore companies are looking for new employees and opening offices in Ukraine.

In my opinion this method of cooperation is mutually beneficial: Ukrainian programmers get a prestigious job in international companies, expand their experience and Israeli companies get high-level professionals.

In a modern world when globalization is gaining momentum, the boundaries between countries are vanishing gradually; people are becoming closer to each other even at a distance. Today it is possible to live at one continent and to work successfully at another one without leaving home. The plenty of opportunities is opened for young Ukrainians to prove themselves.

I hope that such interaction between Ukraine and Israel will be continued successfully, moreover, the two countries are open for cooperation with everyone!

My today’s post is dedicated to contemporary forms of threats and protection against them. We will discuss cyber security, an area, in which Israel is a leader.

Gradually, our whole life is being digitized: we store our family photos and correspondence in computers, information about any enterprise has long been transferred from barn books and mountains of paper into a neat little box with a set of keys.

At the same time, there are new types of crime: Hackers break into banking systems and web sites of major corporations; steal information and money in unlimited amounts; penetrate defense systems. All of this brings a huge damage to the economy of different countries and becomes a serious threat to safety.

Such a serious need to protect the state from continuous attacks affected the creation of a large variety of security technologies in Israel.

Over the past year, Israel has made significant technological leap. According to the National Bureau of cyber security of the State of Israel, 10% of all world's technologies in the area were created by for companies established in Israel. Last year alone, the number of sold software by Israeli experts exceeded 60 billion dollars.

As recognition of the highest level of reliability of Israeli technology became the decision of the international corporation "Microsoft" to concentrate in its centers in Haifa and Herzliya all the company's activities in the field of cyber security. Over the last year the company acquired five Israeli start-ups involved in developments in this area.

In addition, according to the Bloomberg agency, Israel ranks fifth in the ranking of the most innovative countries, ahead of the USA, Sweden, Singapore, France and Great Britain.

Today the infrastructure of cyber security in Israel includes about two hundred companies. Israel has created programs of technology incubators and programs which support companies in the research and development. All this leads to the fact that today Israel is a world leader in the field of hi-tech.

In 2015 Ukraine has also made a serious step in the IT-security of the country: in April, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and Microsoft Company signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of cyber security. In the long view, cooperation within the program of operational and technical support of the highest class Microsoft Premier Support is planned, as well as signing the Agreement on cooperation on security issues by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

Today, Israel is ready to invest strongly in the development of high technologies in Ukraine. However, who wants to risk and invest his own capital in the country with the highest level of corruption, without clear rules of business and country where personal relations are more important than the law? Isn’t it time for our politicians (and, hence, the oligarchs) to think about sustainable development of the state, considering the fact that Ukraine has everything necessary for that. The main thing is not to interfere.

Today Ukrainians celebrate the Day of Ukrainian writing and language.

Everyone is aware of themselves through the word. It is through language that person is self-aware and perceive the world and other people. Language is the mean of communications. We can say that language makes us humans.

For Ukraine, the issue of the native language has always been closely associated with self-identification.

The existence of Ukrainians as a nation mostly depended on the preservation of their language. Due to the language, traditions and culture Ukrainians managed to preserve their mentality and not to assimilate with other nations. For many years Ukrainian lands were a part of various empires and states, but in spite of prohibitions and persecutions Ukrainians managed to preserve their language, their soul.

Today, we acutely understand the importance of the native language. In today's Ukraine, the Ukrainian language is still not just a means of communication, but also a symbol of the existence of the country and its right for independence and recognition of its sovereignty.

This holiday was established by Presidential Decree in 1997. It is celebrated every year in honor of the Ukrainian chronicler Nestor, a follower of the creators of the Slavic alphabet Cyril and Methodius. Researchers believe that the Ukrainian written language began from Saint Nestor the Chronicler. Today the Ukrainian language has a new stage of development. Ukrainian is spoken by almost 45 million people in all continents of the Earth; it is one of the twenty most widespread languages of the world.

As famous Ukrainian scientist and linguist Ivan Ogienko said: “Language is the soul of every nation, its shrine and the most precious wealth”. Let's protect and love native language that makes us human!

Oleg Vyshniakov - Ukraine and Israel. In my today's post, I want to tell you about the importance of support, mutual assistance, tolerance and cultural memory.

Yesterday a big conference of Limmud Ukraine ended in Lviv. Limmud is an organization that helps to hand down the tradition of Jewish culture from generation to generation.
Limmud is аn organization that introduces the Jews who live outside Israel with their own culture, as well as presents traditions of the Jewish people around the world. We can say that now Limmud is the mouthpiece of the Jewish culture.

The conference that took place in Lviv gathered together leading figures of culture and arts, scientists, journalists, businessmen, public and political figures.

The conference was attended by Eliav Belotserkovski, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel in Ukraine, Oleksandr Volodarskiy, an artist and playwright, Oleksandr Roytburd, an artist, Dmitriy Chekalkin, showman, radio presenter and author, as well as other people of name. All these people managed to share their experience, knowledge and ideas with young people all over Ukraine.

The history of Limmud has more than one decade. The organization was formed from a group of like-minded people and now it is banding together thousands of people all around the world. Today events aiming at uniting Jewish people are being held in more than 40 countries. Programs of Limmud gave to young people a unique platform for sharing ideas and experiences in various fields of social, public and cultural life.

Modern history of Ukraine and Israel is closely related. More than 400 thousand of people in Israel are of Ukrainian decent.

Israel has been preserving its cultural heritage for centuries. The Jews managed to preserve historical and cultural memory of their nation for centuries without changes and despite constant persecution. And now after reacquiring their state, the Israelis are gathering their brothers and sisters all over the world and care with respect to their reach traditions.

On its way to independence Ukraine also was on the verge of destruction not once. Different regimes were trying to wipe of the map Ukrainian culture and to rewrite the history. However, Ukrainians managed to save their traditions and hand down beauty and originality of the nation to their descendants as well.

I consider Limmud activities to be of great importance today, because when saving traditions and culture and transferring of knowledge, the nation lives and develops.

The concert of the famous Russian musician, poet, singer, composer and creator of the "Yiddish jazz" Andrei Makarevich became a culmination of the evening and the conference. In today's world, not many dare to speak the truth and to live in accordance with their own convictions, but not for the system’s favor. Andrei Makarevich is not afraid and does not turn backward from his own moral beliefs. As they say a friend in need is a friend indeed.

While addressing to the Prominent Artist I underlined that the Ukrainians highly appreciate his support and participation in the life of Ukraine.

I believe that only if people hold on their humanity and stand firm on what they believe, "the world will get to cave in to us".

Oleg Vyshniakov - Ukraine and Israel. A group of designers in Jerusalem installed street lights in the form of giant 9 meter high flowers.

Good afternoon!

I think all of you would agree that today we all need positive emotions and positive discoveries. In today's world people are more concerned with other people's problems: work, politics, economy etc. All of us always run somewhere in a hurry in order to manage to do everything.

Circulation of daily routine leaves us no time for simple human joys. But one has only to stop for a while in order to see how beautiful the world around us is. There are always new works of contemporary artists on the streets of our cities! Today we become beholders just leaving the house. We need only to look up.

Modern art has gone beyond its usual forms for a long time. It has become a part of urban landscapes, a part of our lives. We see it in simple everyday things.

For example in Jerusalem a group of designers installed street lights in the form of giant 9 meter high flowers: they are opening, if a vehicle or person goes under them.

Authors of the project say they have created their own "magic flowers" not just to beautify the city, but also to remind people that there is always room for wonder and fantasy in the world.

In Kiev such sites as Landscape alley sculpture "Hedgehog in the Mist", the Wish Tree have already become favorite for many people. Now a group of young artists creates Murals on Kyiv skyscrapers. Mural is a giant painting of fantastic creatures or historical figures. Opinions about them were divided, but they just can not leave anyone indifferent.

I am sure that an ordinary person needs more joy, optimism and good feelings in this troubled world. I suggest you to duly appreciate the work of Israeli artists and admire their amazing creation.

Friends, is there street art in your city, which really decorates the streets? Let’s share the images with others.

Oleg Vyshniakov - Ukraine and Israel. Israel became member of UN "space club".

Good afternoon!

Today I want to share with you exciting news: Not so long ago, Israel became a full member of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

Membership of Israel in such an authoritative international organization was supported by representatives of 117 countries of the world. Israel will be able to continue the development and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, with the support of the international community.

Let me remind you that Israel, like Ukraine, is a space power and one of the twenty states that have their own space rocket technology.

Back in 2001, the Presidents of Ukraine and Israel signed an agreement on cooperation in outer space exploration. Today experts of the two countries actively cooperate in joint projects, exchange equipment and technical information.

Earlier, both countries have worked with COPUOS. Being a full member of the organization since 1992, Ukraine actively supports the UN activities on the use of space-based information for disaster prevention and disaster control.

Within its work with COPUOS, Israel is planning to use its Eros-A and Eros-B satellites for satellite photography of natural disaster zones, to participate in projects on prevention the fall of the asteroids to the Earth.

In my opinion, the most important thing in such cooperation is that both states focus their efforts on maintaining peace on the planet. An example of such peaceful cooperation is also the work of the International Space Station. On November 2, 2015 it turned 15 years since the first international crew, consisting of the US astronaut William Shepherd and Russians Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev came to the station. By that date, NASA released the best 15 pictures that were taken on the board of the ISS.

You all remember that the history of space exploration was not always associated with the peaceful use of it. However, mankind is still learning from its own mistakes, we understand that we live in one world and are obliged to protect it.

Look how beautiful and delicate our planet looks from the space!

Oleg Vyshniakov - Ukraine and Israel. Health of the Ukrainians: live or not to live.

Today I want to talk about the most essential thing for each person - health.
Your present and future depends on your health. The first thing always wished for everyone is health. As they say, the rest will follow!
Everyone knows that in unfavorable countries with low levels of social and economic development, lifespan is not big. At a time when the death rate exceeds the birth one, the nation is aging and dying slowly...

Such processes are taking place in Ukraine. Poor public funding has led many medical facilities in full decline. Year by year a number of closed hospitals grows, which means that citizens can not even get basic health care.

All this leads to the fact that nowadays an average lifespan in Ukraine is less than 70 years. It is clear that in such a situation, the question of nation's health becomes a condition for its survival.

At the same time an average lifespan in Israel is about 81.5 years. According to this index Israel occupies the 6th place in the world. Israel is a highly developed country with high living standards. The health care system of Israel is considered to be one of the best in the world. More than 3 thousand Israelis turned their hundred.

The main factors that affect the life expectancy of the Israelis are the development of medical care system, proper balanced nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Israelis drink little alcohol, eat a lot of vegetables, fruits and seafood. That is why according to the UN and the WHO data Israel occupies the 6th place among the healthiest countries in the world.

This April the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said that the reform of the health care system is one of the main priorities for the development of the country. An increase of average life expectancy of Ukrainians has to become a result of the reform. All this seems to be correct. But at the same time our politicians are seriously discussing the possibility of cancellation of childbirth benefit. And that is in the country where the death rate exceeds the birth one. For example, to get necessary free drugs for oncology patients is not a miracle but a feat. In order to get them one will have to visit a number of authorities, offices, to collect papers, signatures, stamps, to quarrel many times and to prove that they are right,  that even they can not live up to receiving these medicines.

And it is only one hundredth of the problems related to health. Of course everything is fine in expensive private clinics. But how many people today can afford it? How many Ukrainians can now allow proper healthy diet? Instead of fruit and vitamins there are cigarettes and alcohol.

It’s very interesting when will the state start doing something for an ordinary Ukrainian in deed and not in name?