“Common vision & approach to cope with many difficult international challenges”: Korea & Ukraine

Amb. Vasyl Marmazov of Ukraine in Seoul stressed common vision and approach to cope with many difficult international challenges between Korea and Ukraine on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of independence of Ukraine.
In a reception held at the Hotel Shilla on Sep. 20, 2012 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Ukraine at the same time, Amb. Vasyl touched upon the great success of the 2012 EURO soccer tournament, the reaffirmation of non-nuclear status support at the Korean peninsular and the bright future-oriented bilateral relations between the two countries, to name just a few.
Also Amb. Park Ro-byug for Energy & Resources, MOFAT who was former Korean Amb. to Ukraine, expressed same opinion about the bright future of the two nations through his congratulatory remarks. Korean distinguished guests included chairman Ahn Hong-joon of foreign affairs, trade & unification committee from the National Assembly and president Shim sil of Ukraine Culture & Art Council etc.

 

   
▲ Amb. Marmazov and Counsellor Chepeliuk of Ukraine (second & first from right) welcome Ukraine residents in Korea at the reception line.

The following is a speech by Amb. Vasyl Marmazov of Ukraine in Seoul on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of independence of Ukraine –Ed.
It gives me great pleasure and privilege to address this honorable gathering. I extend to all of you a very warm welcome this evening and thank you for coming to share our celebration of the 21st Anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine and the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Korea.
Every year on August 24 Ukrainian nation celebrates its most important national holiday – Independence Day of Ukraine. On this day in 1991 the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) of the then Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic adopted the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine that led to the emergence of a modern Ukrainian state.
Establishment of a new independent Ukraine has occurred in parallel with strengthening democracy and building a socially oriented market economy. Fair and transparent elections, freedom of speech and religion, interethnic and interconfessional tolerance and mutual respect became important democratic achievements of Ukraine. These are realities of modern Ukraine.
In the global arena Ukraine, from the very beginning of its existence, has acted as a peace-loving country that professes democratic civilization values, respects the principles and norms of international law and seeks mutually beneficial cooperation with all members of the international community.
Ukraine makes a significant contribution to strengthening international peace and security. Ukraine was the first country in the world that voluntarily renounced powerful nuclear arsenal, inherited from the Soviet Union. For two decades, we have been active participants in almost all major international peacekeeping missions.
Ukraine is an important player in international relations. In 2011, we headed the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe for the first time, this year we are chairing the Central European Initiative. 2013 will be marked for Ukraine by its chairmanship in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Ukraine successfully develops strategic partnerships with the leading countries of the world, gives priority to relations with neighbouring countries and regional cooperation. Today a search for new trade and economic partners on all continents, an establishment of constructive cooperation with new political and economic centres becomes more and more crucial.
Speaking about the achievements of modern Ukraine, I cannot but mention EURO 2012. Ukraine has successfully hosted this Football Championship. Several years of preparations were placed into one month of a wonderful feast marked by both foreign and Ukrainian fans, along with guests and residents of Ukraine.
The fact that EURO had been a success is undeniable: this has been recognized and confirmed by everyone, from UEFA and international experts to famous politicians and top world media.
EURO 2012 has been named as historically successful not only due to the unique atmosphere that dominated in EURO cities, but also because of a number of records registered by analysts.
During the EURO Ukrainian airports provided services to the largest number of guests during the period of the country’s Independence. Railways transported a record-breaking number of passengers. Fan zones of EURO cities, just like stadiums, accommodated historical masses of people for events of this kind: millions of fans. The number of foreign guests who visited Ukraine was around 2 million. The championship has left not only unforgettable recollections behind. The tournament has given Ukraine wonderful transport and tourism as well as a social infrastructure.
Since gaining the independence in 1991 Ukraine has been developing mutually beneficial and effective partnership with the Republic of Korea.
The Republic of Korea was one of the states that recognized Ukraine’s independence as far back as in December 1991.
On February 10, 1992 “The Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Korea” was signed. The document fixed the intentions of our countries to develop full-scale cooperation.
For 20 years, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Korea, our states have made great efforts for the development of cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The political dialogue has been maintained at all levels; trade, economic and financial cooperation have been expanding; cultural and humanitarian contacts have been deepening; scientific and technical as well as educational cooperation has been strengthening; the number of tourism and youth exchanges has been increasing. During the years of cooperation Ukraine and the Republic of Korea have established a number of institutional mechanisms that play an important role in expanding our relations. Among them – the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economy (upgraded from Joint Committee on Trade), the Joint Committee on Science and Technology, Joint Committee on Cooperation for Peaceful Use of Outer Space, Joint Commission on Cooperation in the Field of Defense Industry and Logistics, political consultations between Foreign Ministries.
Recent years were marked by a number of important bilateral events that will shape the further development of cooperation between Ukraine and South Korea:
- Working visit of the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych to the Republic of Korea (26-28 March 2012) to participate in the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, within which talks between the Presidents two states took place.
Two leaders agreed on the basic directions of intensification of Ukrainian-Korean cooperation. Ukrainian President also met with the Prime Minister and CEOs of major Korean companies, in particular, Samsung and Hyundai;
- Official visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Kim Hwang-sik to Ukraine (29-30 September 2011);
- The first meeting of the Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Korean commission on trade and economic cooperation (December 8, 2011, Seoul);
- Visit of the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Korea, member of the National Assembly Lee Jae Oh to Ukraine (August 16-17, 2012).
Today the Republic of Korea ranks third among Ukraine’s trading partners in the Asia-Pacific region after China and India. Bilateral trade turnover between Ukraine and the Republic of Korea has been increasing steadily. Thus, in 2011, it amounted to $1.7 billion (32.7% growth compared to 2010).
In first half of 2012 bilateral trade reached $1.13 billion (40.6% growth compared to the same period of 2011). Among Asian countries, the Republic of Korea remains one of leading investors in Ukraine. As of the first half of 2012 the total amount of direct Korean investment into the Ukraine’s economy accounted for $171.5 million.
Ukraine has many attractions for the Korean investors. It is a huge market with a population of 46 million people. We are interested to establish and continue investment cooperation with leading Korean companies.
As an example of successful cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Korea I cannot but mention the implementation of the project of providing Ukraine with 10 high-speed trains produced by the South Korean company «Hyundai Rotem». The next step of the project is the localization of those trains’ production in Ukraine.
Our countries have considerable opportunities for the expansion of cooperation in the spheres of culture, education and tourism. As of today many Ukrainian and South Korean universities have established fruitful cooperation with each other, facilitated student and academic exchanges.
We highly appreciate the fact that in 2009 the Department of Ukrainian Studies, which is the first of its kind in Korea, was established in the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. As of now more than 80 Korean students are learning Ukrainian language and culture at this Department.
Every year, international cultural and artistic activities that take place in Korea attract more and more representatives of Ukraine. Within the framework of celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries we will be holding «Days of Ukrainian Culture» in Korea in November 2012.
Tourism is another important area of cooperation between our countries.
Ukraine attracts more than 20 million foreign citizens every year. It was the 9th most popular tourism destination in Europe in 2011; and after EURO 2012 it became even more popular. Ukraine has a rich cultural and historical heritage that can be experienced by visits to ancient churches, monasteries and castles etc.; diverse and picturesque nature that encompasses breathtaking sea views and beaches on
the Crimean peninsula, open steppes, beautiful mountains, curative natural mineral waters and much-much more.
One more important thing I’d like to touch upon is ethnic Koreans who reside in Ukraine. As it is known at present more than 30 000 of ethnic Koreans live in Ukraine. Governments of both countries entered into constructive cooperation on solving the current issues of their residence.
Ukrainian Government has established a Special Committee on ethnic Koreans, which includes, besides the officials of Ukrainian authorities, representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ukraine, and the Association of Koreans in Ukraine.
The positive assessment of Ukraine’s activities in this area was given by the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak during his meeting with President Yanukovych in Seoul in March this year. Ukraine will continue to support ethnic Koreans living in our state.
I am pleased to note that in the international arena Ukraine and the Republic of Korea share a common vision of approaches to resolve many thorny issues.
Ukraine and the Republic of Korea stand for the strict adherence to non-proliferation regime. In particular, we have a common position regarding normalization of the situation on the Korean peninsula.
Ukraine as the country that has voluntarily renounced world’s third largest nuclear arsenal supports the efforts of the Republic of Korea aimed at ensuring non-nuclear status of the Korean peninsula. We have made the world safer and are ready to continue cooperation to counter jointly the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, missile and nuclear technology.
Ukraine is ready to share the experience of its nuclear disarmament, which can be seen as a kind of model in the context of seeking ways for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
In conclusion, I would like to note that the Ukrainian-Korean cooperation has very good prospects. Today we have favourable conditions for bringing relations between our countries to a qualitatively new level.
Once again, thank you very much for your attention and please, enjoy the evening.

 

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