February 23, 2005 President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko turns 51. \n \nYushchenko was born in 1954 in the village of Khoruzhivka in Sumy region into a family of teachers. He graduated from the Ternopil Financial and Economic Institute. After the institute, he served for a year in the ranks of the Soviet Army, serving in the border troops on the Soviet-Turkish border not far from Leninakan. \n \nSince 1976 he has worked in the banking system. Since 1985 – deputy head, head of the department of the Ukrainian Republican Office of the State Bank. Since 1992 – first deputy chairman of the board of the joint-stock commercial agro-industrial bank "Ukraine."\n \nFrom January 1993 to December 1999 – chairman of the board of the National Bank of Ukraine. Under his leadership, Ukraine successfully carried out monetary reform, created the State Treasury, and began construction of the Banknote and Mint. In 1997, according to the ranking of the influential financial magazine Global Finance, Yushchenko was included among the six best bankers in the world. \n \nFrom December 1999 to April 2001 – Prime Minister of Ukraine. The implementation of the government program "Reforms for Welfare" allowed Yushchenko's Cabinet of Ministers to achieve positive dynamics in the economy. For the first time in the years of independence, Ukraine received GDP growth. It was possible to radically change the mechanism of settlements and payments to the central and local budgets, abandon barter and borrowing, improve the situation on the energy market, and significantly increase budget revenues and expenditures for social purposes. Within a year, the country eliminated budget arrears on salaries, pensions, and stipends. \n \nDuring his time in government, Yushchenko achieved a high level of public trust. According to sociological surveys, he becomes the most popular politician in Ukraine.\n \nIn January 2002, the election bloc "Our Ukraine" was formed, headed by Viktor Yushchenko. The bloc included 10 parties of right-center orientation. In the parliamentary elections in March 2002, in the multi-mandate district, the bloc received 24.7% of voters' votes.\n \nCandidate of Economic Sciences. Candidate's dissertation on the topic "Development of demand and supply of money in Ukraine." \n \nMarried, has five children and two grandchildren: sons Andriy and Taras, daughters Vitalina, Sofia and Khrystyna, grandchildren Yarynka and Viktor. \n \nHe is fond of painting, beekeeping, pottery, collects antique items, folk household items and Ukrainian national costume, restores items of Trypillian culture.