KIEV, July 16 – President Viktor Yanukovych said his domestic and foreign policies, including improving relations with Russia, will help Ukraine to spur economic growth and to achieve “social progress.”

Yanukovych issued a statement on the occasion of the Declaration of Sovereignty on Friday, the declaration approved by Parliament 20 years ago that eventually led to the country’s independence from the Soviet Union.

Yanukovych, who days ago celebrated his 60th birthday, to the surprise of many politicians, did not attend the special session of Parliament on Friday to mark the Declaration of Sovereignty. Instead, his statement was read at the session and posted in his Website.

“The European perspective, development of strategic relations with centers of world politics, including with the Russian Federation, will provide us with economic prosperity and social progress,” Yanukovych said.

“As the president of the state and as the guarantor of the constitution, I am committed to ensure domestic and foreign policy conditions that will allow our people to feel that irresponsibility of the government is now in the past,” he said.

Opposition leaders attacked Yanukovych for his failure to attend the session of Parliament.

Yulia Tymoshenko, a former prime minister and the leader of the largest opposition group in Parliament, slammed Yanukovych for “displaying disrespect to the sovereignty of Ukraine.”

“It’s long known that there are things that are more important for Yanukovych that the state sovereignty of Ukraine, its territorial integrity, protection of human rights and civil liberties of which he is the guarantor according to the constitution,” the Tymoshenko Bloc said in a statement.

Yanukovych has been vacationing in Crimea, but days ago had celebrated his birthday near Kiev with hundreds of lawmakers and other politicians and officials attending the party.

The guests were entertained by dozens of singers and comedians from Russia, Ukraine and Europe that may have cost the organizers more than $1 million, according to industry analyst estimates.

The Tymoshenko Bloc said the birthday party was the “slap in the face of people of the country.”

Yanukovych, in the statement, said that Ukraine’s membership in the Soviet Union had provided Ukraine with “economic and cultural potential” that had made the independence eventually possible.

Yanukovych, unlike his pro-Western predecessor Viktor Yushchenko, indicated that his government will have a more favorable view of the Soviet history, echoing Moscow’s position.

“One can differently assess this period, but undisputable is one thing: this is our history and no one is allowed to re-write it,” Yanukovych said.

“May mistakes have been made, a lot of efforts have been wasted on confrontation between different political camps,” Yanukovych said.

“Now, at last, a long awaited political stability has been achieved, a basement is laid for deep systemic reforms that will lead Ukraine to the path of sustainable economic and social growth.” (tl/ez)