OREANDA-NEWS. January 26, 2012. In 2012, the society will feel the real positive results of reforms implemented in the state, President Viktor Yanukovych said in an exclusive interview for the joint project of The New York Times News Service & Syndicate and Segodnya Multimedia – "Ukraine and the World in 2012. Global Agenda."

"2012 will be the year that will show the results of our work and allow us to optimize the reforms we have started," he said.

The President noted that the implementation of several pilot projects provided a positive experience of reforms, showing also that large-scale transformation require well-trained staff. Besides, the President said, the government was facing the resistance of bureaucrats and populist politicians to modernization processes.

"One of the features of Ukrainian politics is populism, and sometimes, unfortunately, even opportunism. Political populism often harms the state and the people, who are simply being deceived by some politicians cynically manipulating public opinion," said Viktor Yanukovych. However, he said, the Ukrainian nation has repeatedly proven its wisdom and understanding of the situation. "It will take some time, and people will understand, who was right," Viktor Yanukovych stressed.

"We set the task for 2012 to at least maintain the momentum of economic growth," President Yanukovych said, also drawing attention to the fact that the government of Ukraine continues its efforts to make Ukraine’s foreign policy more economically oriented. "Currently, our diplomacy aims to protect Ukrainian national interests," Viktor Yanukovych said, adding that the conditions for attracting investments are also being created in Ukraine.