WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR COUNTRY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH UKRAINE AND WHAT LESS SO?

Robert BRINKLEY, British Ambassador to Ukraine

Relations between our countries developed well in 2003. British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma met in St. Petersburg in May. Verkhovna Rada Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn, Premier Viktor Yanukovych, Minister of the Economy and European Integration Valery Khoroshkovsky, and Defense Minister Yevhen Marchuk visited Great Britain. Lord Mayor of London Gavin Arthur, Minister for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Margaret Beckett, Deputy Defense Minister of Great Britain for the Armed Forces Adam Ingram, and Foreign Office Minister for Europe Denis McShane visited Ukraine. Among the positive developments are the publication of the Action Plan and the annual Ukraine-NATO Target Plan, the decision to further develop the Ukraine-EU Action Plan, and the signing of the Protocol on Access to Markets between Ukraine and the EU as part of Ukraine’s progress toward membership in the World Trade Organization. Britain and Ukraine stand shoulder to shoulder in their fight against international terrorism. In particular, the British government has hailed Ukraine’s significant contribution to the peacekeeping effort in Iraq. Britain is the third largest foreign investor in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian statistics. The share of Great Britain increased significantly after British Petroleum bought half the interest in the Tiumen Oil Company [known as TNK], which holds extensive assets in Ukraine. A protracted dispute over the ownership of the Poltava Gas and Oil Company has been finally solved in favor of Britain’s JKX Oil and Gas Company. Yet several British companies still face problems connected with securing and developing their investments in Ukraine. Next year marks the 150th anniversary of the Crimean War. We expect many British citizens to visit the Crimea in 2004. Unfortunately, the new memorial honoring the British military dead in the Crimean War has not been built yet. But we welcome the Ukrainian government’s undertaking to build it in early 2004. I wish the Ukrainian people and especially your readers a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2004. This year will be crucial for Ukraine’s further democratic development. Great Britain is closely following events as they unfold. We wish Ukraine every success in strengthening its democracy, developing a free economy, and moving toward European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

Viktor CHERNOMYRDIN, Russian Ambassador to Ukraine

First of all I want to greet your readers on the occasion of the holidays that have been of old considered in both Russia and Ukraine the most important family holidays — the New Year and Christmas. I sincerely wish everybody all blessings and successes. Today we are shaping a good and decent life with our own hands. I have long known Ukraine not only in the capacity of Russia’s ambassador. I have learned it firsthand: the Ukrainian people can lead a beautiful life and work hard. Thus, next year we can expect not only the political events connected with the [presidential] elections, but also new successes in the economy, trade, and culture. These are the three main components of our cooperation and friendly relations between our peoples. Precisely in this I see the main success of the relationship between Russia and Ukraine, the Russians and Ukrainians. In the economic realm, which is a major direction of our cooperation, our trade turnover will increase by almost 30% to reach $12-13 billion. After independence, Ukraine and Russia have signed nearly 360 agreements. When it comes to the most fundamental and long-term agreements, the decisions are usually made by the leaders of the two countries. Consider for example the recent meeting of our presidents in the Crimea. Yet it is not always that our agreements yield the desired results. This is where we were less successful [in our relationship], but there is still a significant reserve. We have registered progress, especially in the cross-border zones, which account for nearly 20% of our trade turnover. After the SES is created, and customs regulations are made more liberal, trade volume will soar. In general, the potential trade turnover between the two countries is $50 billion. To evaluate the Year of Russia in Ukraine and not mention our cultural ties would be absolutely wrong. This year Kyivans saw the Mariinsk and Bolshoi Theaters after a lengthy hiatus and once again admired performances by prominent actors of the Sovremennik Theater. Enumerating everything would take too long. You can see it yourself: our relations are improving in all spheres. And, most importantly, this is a mutually advantageous and sincere process. Once again I wish you and your families happiness and prosperity. Happy New Year!

John HERBST, US Ambassador to Ukraine

The USA highly rates Ukraine’s contribution to ensuring peace and stability in Iraq. Such steps, especially the deployment of a peacekeeping force as part of the stabilization forces in Iraq and a chemical defense battalion in Kuwait, help us jointly counter the new threats that concern us all. We also welcome Ukraine’s efforts to implement the NATO Action Plan for 2003, and are also glad to see the increasing role of civil society in the country. For the United States and other democratic nations it is very important that Ukraine hold a free and fair presidential campaign in 2004 that would culminate in free, fair, and transparent elections. Ukraine has a chance to set a positive example for all the states of the former Soviet Union.

Dietmar STUDEMANN, German Ambassador to Ukraine

2003 was an eventful year for Ukraine, although it is still undergoing a complex process of transformation. Ukrainian-German relations have achieved the highest level in our dialog and meetings at all levels and in all spheres. This has had its positive influence on complex issues and problems. The outgoing year saw the adoption of major laws, in particular the laws On Civilian Control Over the Armed Forces, On Control Over the Export of Arms, and On Combating Money Laundering. Now these laws should be filled with life taking into account the principles of a law-governed state. Laws are always as successful as they are implemented. As for moving toward Euro- Atlantic structures, Ukraine has registered significant progress as part of the Ukraine-NATO Action Plan. Cooperation with the EU has become more extensive, evidence of which are visits by numerous EU commissioners to Kyiv and participation by Ukraine’s representatives in meetings in Brussels. If Ukraine manages to make the best use the potential of the Broader Europe Concept, its movement toward European structures will be accelerated. The way in which Ukraine uses this potential will influence its further economic development. Meanwhile, I’m very pleased to see Ukraine’s economy develop in the right direction. Trade and investment are evidence of above-average growth. The German program, Transform, has made a significant contribution to this development. But despite the Germans’ growing willingness to invest, as before, Ukraine’s investment climate needs improvement. Relations in the spheres of culture and education have developed adequately. The Days of German Culture that recently ended in Ukraine caused not only huge feedback, but also spawned future joint projects. I was glad to personally feel the interest and admiration with which the Ukrainian audience received many events on our program. I would like to use this opportunity to thank Ukraine’s Minister of Culture and Arts Yury Bohutsky for expertly organizing a series of events. Moreover, the Days of Culture were timed to coincide with the celebration in Odesa oblast of the 200th anniversary of the settlement of the Black Sea coast with the German minority. Cooperation in education also developed in 2003. In Ternopil we launched the third joint Ukrainian-German educational exchange program. The number of students pursuing education in a foreign country has increased on both sides of the border, although, of course, too few Germans come to Ukraine. I wish that in the future more Germans would use the opportunity to discover the cultural wealth of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine as a cultural center must advertise itself abroad more extensively than it does now, so that Germans could use this opportunity. It’s a pleasure to see young active journalists blaze new trails and create new media outlets, to see the growing role of the Internet. However, as far as freedom of speech and the press is concerned, I see a need for improvement here. Attempts are still being made to influence directly or indirectly the content of reports and commentaries. Meanwhile, the goal is to ensure the highest possible degree of comprehensive and impartial information. In general, I believe that the German-Ukrainian relations are based on a solid groundwork. Thus let us join our efforts to further reinforce this groundwork. The next year will be crucial for Ukraine. By an electoral race in which all candidates will have equal access to media outlets and by free and fair elections Ukraine will be able to prove the stability and efficiency of its democratic structures. I would be glad if you asked me that same question next year and I would be able to tell you even more positive things about the development of our relations. I wish all the readers of The Day joyful holidays and a Happy New Year.

Grigol KATAMADZE, Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine

Before all I would like to say that the year 2003 was very difficult for my country. But, thank God, the Georgian people overcame these difficulties with dignity. I believe that Georgia is facing a time of major changes. I am also confident that these changes will help strengthen and promote Georgia’s mutually advantageous cooperation with all its partners. The year 2003 marked a milestone in the Georgian-Ukrainian relationship, since we celebrated the tenth anniversary of the signing of a unique framework Agreement on Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, which occasioned an official visit by [then] President of Georgia Eduard Shevardnadze. As part of his visit to Kyiv in April Ukraine hosted an international conference, Ukraine and Georgia in the Process of Forming a New System of International Security: Experience, Achievements, Possibilities, the first such conference in the history of our relations. I believe this year was successful in that many international projects have been implemented. I consider our trade and economic relations successful. The commodity turnover in the ten months of 2003 came to $106 million (against $13 million in 1993 and $68 million in 2002). However, I wouldn’t call these figures overly successful. Unfortunately, we are not using all the possibilities and potential of our countries. I believe our trade turnover should be no less than $300 million. The year 2003 was successful in the cultural sphere, since in June Tbilisi for the first time hosted Days of Ukrainian Culture. I believe that much remains to be done in 2004, when the Days of Georgian Culture will be held. I cannot but mention — and consider it a success in our relationship — the first international media project between Kievskie Vedomosti [Kyiv News] and Svobodnaya Gruziya [Free Georgia]. Moreover, I would sincerely like to thank all Ukraine’s journalists for covering the events in Georgia in an impartial and tolerant manner. Let the New Year bring into your homes much light, peace, happiness, and prosperity. Glory to Ukraine!

Naomi BEN-AMI, Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine

Israel and Ukraine have established very positive contacts. We do not use such a term as strategic partnership in our international dialog, but our relations are in fact very good. Evidence of a more active relationship in recent months were bilateral visits and a more extensive cooperation. For the first time in seven years we managed to gather a joint economic commission in Israel. This year the Israeli Transport Minister visited Kyiv. Israel hosted Ukraine’s Minister of the Economy. Major documents have been signed: an Agreement to Avoid Double Taxation and a memorandum required for Ukraine’s WTO accession. That same year saw the end of a matter that was a stumbling block in our relationship: an agreement was ratified to pay compensation to the relatives of the passengers killed in the accident involving the Tu-154 liner. We have registered significant understanding in the sphere of combating international terrorism. I hope that in early 2004 we will be able to more actively promote economic cooperation by means of participation in joint projects. Our countries have unlimited potential in this respect.

I wish all the readers of The Day good health, fortune, and happiness in the New Year, and, most importantly, peace. Peace in the country, inner peace, and peace with those you love.

Valentyn VELYCHKO, Belarusian Ambassador to Ukraine

It gives me pleasure to note that the year 2003 was quite fruitful for both countries. Trade and economic relations were developing dynamically and on mutually advantageous terms, regional ties between oblasts and sister cities were being revived and developed. In sum, this has brought a positive result: in the ten months of 2003 our trade turnover equaled that of the previous year. In foreign policy, Belarus has found Ukraine’s essential support on a series of issues in the international sphere. I’m also pleased to note a more active cooperation in cross-border regions: we have seen regular meetings of the leadership and business circles of Homyel, Brest, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Volyn, Zhytomyr, and Rivne oblasts. Last year we held several cultural events, with the Days of Minsk and Days of Belarusian Culture held in Donetsk. In general, I would characterize 2003 as a quite successful year that serves as a solid groundwork for the further development of our two sister nations.

Alexandru CORNEA, Romanian Ambassador to Ukraine

The Romanian-Ukrainian relationship is crucial. It rests on the following: Ukraine is our biggest neighbor, while Romania is Ukraine’s third biggest neighbor after Russia and Poland; our countries lie in the space of intensive regional cooperation and have a common European vision after many years of totalitarian darkness. The year 2003 was very auspicious for the Romanian- Ukrainian relationship. Of special note are the working visits by ranking politicians: on June 17 Chernivtsi hosted a Ukrainian-Romanian summit as part of which presidents Ion Iliescu of Romania and Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine signed an Agreement On the Regime of Crossing the State Border, and Mutual Aid and Cooperation on Cross-Border Issues; on November 13 Verkhovna Rada Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn visited Bucharest. Also an agreement on cooperation in the sphere of rail transport and an agreement on the regime of travel have been signed, increasing the number of bilateral documents to more than forty. Simultaneously, the positive dynamics in cross-border cooperation as part of the so- called Upper Prut and Carpathian Euroregion projects and a program of sister cities merits special note. At the international level, our delegations actively cooperated in the UN. Romania was invited to the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission. Next year we will launch Romanian-Ukrainian Partnership for Europe Program (proposed by Romania to help Ukraine in its efforts to integrate with the European structures) and specify the results of our dialog at the level of experts in all spheres of cooperation. Our embassy will participate in fostering Romanian-Ukrainian contacts in all spheres: at the political and governmental level, at the level of scholars and artists, professional associations and journalists, in order to help solve problems we are facing. We wish the readers of this prestigious publication and all Ukrainians a year of material and spiritual achievements. And we would like to assure you of our support in the new year. Good health and happiness to you all and a Merry Christmas and New Year!