Armenia and Ukraine maintain friendship from ancient times
28.08.2012,
16:08
Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day on August 24. Ukraine’s Ambassador to Armenia Ivan Kukhta spoke about the current Armenian-Ukrainian cooperation in the interview with ARKA news agency.
Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day on August 24. Ukraine’s Ambassador to Armenia Ivan Kukhta spoke about the current Armenian-Ukrainian cooperation in the interview with ARKA News Agency.
ARKA- Mr. Kukhta, how can you assess the current level of the Ukrainian-Armenian cooperation? Do you see any potential for the further collaboration?
I. Kukhta- As of now, our countries collaborate on a high level, reporting a positive tendency in developing political-economic and cultural-humanitarian relations. It comes from our long lasting history and friendship rooted back to the ancient times. It is known that the first Armenian population settled in Ukraine in the 11th century, and the most important thing is that our two nations have maintained the friendship up to these days. The political relations between Armenia and Ukraine have recently activated. Last year our presidents exchanged official, this year- working visits. Last July and this March Armenia hosted Days of Ukraine’s Culture, and Ukraine held Days of Armenia’s culture. The countries have also organized Ukrainian-Armenian business forums, and intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation. This April Foreign Ministries of the two states conducted consultations in Kyiv, and as a result of the mutual high-level dialogue Ukraine’s FM Konstantin Grishenko and Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada Chairman Vladimir Litvin visited Armenia. This year Ministers of Culture Mikhail Kulynyak and Minister of Economic Development and Commerce Petro Poroshenko visited Armenia as well. Obviously, such high-level meetings not only enhance the relations between our states but also foster implementing some particular programs aimed at improving the living conditions of our citizens. Thus, I can state that the recent period was very intensive in the bilateral cooperation, and I believe this high dynamics will be maintained.
ARKA- Which economic sectors are most favorable for the cooperation ?
I. Kukhta-Unfortunately, I have to acknowledge that our economic cooperation is limited by trade, even though we could develop the bilateral cooperation in different economic sectors, such as energy and engineering. The Ukrainian enterprises are interested in delivering energy equipment for NPP, TPP and HPP, as well as participate in constructing new and renovating old energy objects in Armenia. The Ukrainian side has expressed the willingness to export trains, trucks, vehicles and mini-buses, chemical products made in Ukraine to Armenia. The Ukrainian enterprises are ready to export locomotives, ensuring their maintenance and modernization. Ukraine could also provide Armenia with agricultural machinery at leasing conditions or other mechanisms acceptable by the farms. Yerevan will host the Sixth economic forum between the governments of Ukraine and Armenia targeted at outlining further perspectives for the economic ties development.
ARKA- Is Ukraine interested in joining the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Armenia?
I. Kukhta- The Ukrainian enterprises are interested in joining implementation of different energy projects in Armenia, including NPP construction. The Embassy is monitoring the situation and if Armenia announces international tenders, Ukrainian companies will be informed of it.
ARKA- What is the level of the Ukrainian-Armenian trade turnover, and does it meet the potential of the two states? Which Armenian and Ukrainian goods are demanded by the markets of the both states?
I. Kukhta- Ukraine remains one of the top exporters to Armenia. According to our statistics, the foreign trade and service turnover fetched up nearly $75 million within January-May. Export totaled in nearly $67 million and import- $8 million. Ukraine mainly concentrates on agro-industrial and metallurgy production. Since the beginning of this year, Ukraine has exported nearly 25,000 tons of nitrogen fertilizers to Armenia. Last year’s trade turnover between the two states was about $270 million.This year the tendency is not satisfactory for us, as we reported some drop in export from Ukraine to Armenia due to specific economic conditions: Ukraine has exported a lot of grains (barley, wheat).
This year the grain export has reduced, but it is just six months that have passed as of now, and we have an opportunity to develop the mutual economic relations more intensively. Ukraine is within the top exporters in Armenia, and we can’t lose this position. I had meetings with Armenian commercial companies, which are operating in agricultural production. The Armenian side is interested in importing Ukrainian goods, and exporting its goods to the Ukrainian market.
ARKA- According to some experts, the post-Soviet states are challenged by joining either European Union or Eurasian Union. Has Ukraine already made a choice? What are Kyiv’s foreign priorities?
I. Kukhta- I would like to inform you about the Fifteenth Session of the Council on EU-Ukraine cooperation, held in Brussels, 15 May 2012. On May 17 Ukraine’s FM Konstantin Grishenko gave a press briefing. He said the following, “We continue considering the European Union as our main priority, but we realize, that in order to reach the economic development required for complete EU integration, we should work at all markets where we can promote our products.” As of now this thesis fully represents Kyiv’s foreign priority. Ukraine is an independent European state, rich with resources which will be year by year more and more demanded. It will enhance the potential of our diplomacy with new partners attracting new investors amid the activiazation of new strategic directions of the national foreign policy.
ARKA- What is the position of official Kyiv over the Karabakh issue? Do close relations between Ukraine and Azerbaijan have an impact on this position?
I. Kukhta- Ukraine has friendly and partner ties with both, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and we are interested in peaceful settlement of this conflict. Ukraine will secure for mutually acceptable settlement of the conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group.
ARKA- Next year Ukraine will be at the helm of the OSCE. Which steps will Kyiv undertake to activate Karabakh conflict settlement process?
I. Kukhta- In 2013 Ukraine will chair the OSCE. It is a very important and responsible mission. Ukraine will make all the efforts to give new impetus to solving the frozen conflicts within OSCE space, as well as raise efficiency of the Organization in early conflict detection and reaction to new security challenges and threats. In general, Ukraine will continue supporting efforts in controlling weapons in Europe, and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. As of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Ukraine will support the OSCE Minsk Group in efforts to reach a peaceful resolution.
ARKA- How do the Armenians feel in Ukraine? What role does the Armenian community play in social, political, cultural, and economic life of your country?
I. Kukhta- It’s my pleasure to answer this question, as I believe, in spite of the importance of contacts between politicians, economists, businessmen and experts, the history of our two nations is, first of all, interpersonal contacts. Indeed, there are a lot of Ukrainian citizens of Armenian origins living in Ukraine. For example, within the tough 90s there were nearly 30,000 Armenians, and now- 300,000 Armenians in the community. They work in different spheres feeling themselves as valuable citizens of Ukraine. I would like to note that today the Ukrainian State attaches great importance to cultural and spiritual requests, as well as protection of rights of national minorities, including Armenians. For example, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has recently adopted a law on language policy which guarantees the right of all national minorities to use their mother language in their communities. Moreover, it was decided to introduce Armenian language in Ukrainian schools nearby Armenian community areas. We also have deputies and high-position workers of Armenian origins in Verkhovna Rada and local administrations. Thus, I can state the high-level integration of the Armenian community in the Ukrainian society, its socio-political, economic and cultural life.
ARKA- It is known that there are a lot of Armenian architectural monuments in Ukraine. What steps do the Ukrainian authorities take to preserve them?
Kukhta- I would like to repeat again that Ukraine attaches great importance not only to protecting rights and freedoms of national minorities, but also preservation of architectural monuments in Ukraine. This is proved by celebrations of the 650th anniversary of Surb Khach monastery complex in 2008, when the Ukrainian side invited President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin ІІ. Ukrainian authorities allocated funds for the complex’s renovation, and the National Bank of Ukraine was the first in the world to issue a commemorative coin of 10 hryvnia nominal value with the image of Armenian monastery and khachkar (cross-stone). Moreover, the frescos in Armenian Cathedral in Lviv were also renovated due to the Ukrainian State support. Today, I know that the Kyiv administrative district has reserved a territory near Kyiv for the Armenian community to build a cathedral. Active works on renovating historical monuments are carried out in Krym too.
ARKA- Do you expect any mutual high-level visits so far? What steps are made by the sides to activate political dialogue, humanitarian and cultural cooperation?
I. Kukhta- As of cultural-humanitarian direction, I’d like to underscore their traditionally high level. Today we can speak about the positive tendencies in cooperation between the Union of Writers of Ukraine and that of Armenia. Within the mentioned Days of Culture we presented “Vseswit” journal dedicated to Armenia and the Armenian culture, that was awarded a gold medal of Armenia’s Culture Ministry. Through joint efforts we prepared a collection of contemporary Ukrainian poetry in Armenian language. It was presented in Yerevan in July. The cooperation between the youth organizations is very important, as young people are to continue developing our interrelations in the future. Unfortunately, as of now, this sector is facing a slowdown due to some reasons. Over the recent years, the number of student exchange programs was significantly cut amid the global economic crisis, as such programs require financial expenses. But we try to do all the possible things to make it easier for Armenian and Ukrainian students to communicate with each other more often. Some young people from Armenia study at Ukrainian universities. Ukraine offers 4-5 scholarships for the citizens of Armenia at its universities. 0-