President Petro Poroshenko met with members of the Ukrainian diaspora

President Petro Poroshenko met with members of the Ukrainian diaspora and told the unity and consolidated position of Ukrainians as a modern political nation is the key priority.

“The status of Ukrainian as the only state language will be given real meaning, however, with necessary respect to ethnic minorities. Ukraine’s minorities showed adamant patriotism over the last two years,” emphasized the President during a ceremonial meeting “Ukrainians of the world – to Ukraine” devoted to the Ukrainian diaspora held at the National Opera House.

President of Ukraine highlighted that Ukrainians are proud to have a Ukrainian citizenship and state emblems, respect the language and anthem. He said that external aggression prompted to develop Ukrainian nation based on civic patriotism. The President called representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora help consolidate Ukrainian pro-European political parties. “You are respected people who have weight and reputation in most of parties and civic movements,” he added.

Petro Poroshenko also expects support of Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the United States and Canada to resolve the church question. As President, he supported the address of the Verhkovna Rada of Ukraine to the Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in order to give autonomous status to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.