Photo Gallery

1. President Viktor Yuschenko		2. President Viktor Yuschenko		3. President Viktor Yuschenko
4. President Viktor Yuschenko		5. President Viktor Yuschenko		6. President Viktor Yuschenko
7. President Viktor Yuschenko		8. (left to right): Kyiv mayor Leonid Chernovetskyi, President Viktor Yuschenko (in front), head of the State Affairs Administration Ihor Tarasiuk		9. President Viktor Yuschenko
10. President Viktor Yuschenko		11. President Viktor Yuschenko		12. President Viktor Yuschenko
13. President Viktor Yuschenko		14. President Viktor Yuschenko		15. President Viktor Yuschenko
16. Shadow of President Viktor Yuschenko		17. Shadow of President Viktor Yuschenko

He pronounced this appeal at the ceremony of raising the national flag of Ukraine at the Independence Square in Kyiv.

"Let us love it [the flag] and honor it as our most valuable national shrine," Yuschenko said.

He stressed, the Ukrainian flag unites all the regions into single collegial Ukraine, it consolidates Ukrainians and the great Ukrainian nation.

After his speech, the head of state solemnly handed passports to 16-year-old Ukrainian citizens from all the regions.

"I congratulate you from the heart, bring our dear Ukrainian flag into the future with dignity. Serve to Ukraine with good faith and fidelity, live for its sake. God bless you!" he said.

President Yuschenko also handed the Ukrainian flag to the young people.

Besides, each of them received a copy of the Constitution and a disc with a record of the national anthem.

As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the National Flag on August 23.