Halid Jasim Al-Shamari: “I felt the Ukrainian people’s friendly attitude to Iraq”

This time Den’s column “Ukraine as seen by foreigners” features Iraqi Minister, Charg D’affaires of the Iraqi Embassy in Kyiv Halid Jasim Al-Shamari. We have asked him the same two questions we pose to ambassadors, foreign politicians, and experts:

1. What kind of Ukraine did you discover for yourself? Of the things you have seen or heard, what impressed you the most?

2. Could you give, for example, three reasons to love Ukraine?

Below are Al-Shamari’s replies:

1. I have been in Ukraine for two years now. In the course of my activities I have sensed and seen many things. In the first place, I often met with ranking Ukrainian officials, members of the Ukrainian government, the Verkhovna Rada, and business representatives, and sensed their sincere aspiration to develop bilateral relations. I also saw that our countries have a number of things in common. To begin with, both have old, remarkable, centuries-old civilizations. Our countries have various natural resources. I also felt the Ukrainian people’s friendly attitude to Iraq as a state and to the Iraqi people. I saw that the Ukrainian people pays serious attention to literature, arts, and sports. During my stay in Ukraine I was given an opportunity to visit a number of oblasts, including Donetsk, Sumy, and Vinnytsia. While in Donetsk, I enjoyed watching a soccer match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Olympique de Marseille. I felt the spirit reigning at the stadium and saw how the Ukrainian people rooted for their team. Believe me, the same is true of Iraq. I also remember the meeting with Nina Karpachova, the Verkhovna Rada’s ombudsperson. I told her about the Iraqi culture and civilization, in particular the laws of King Hammurabi, which are believed to have been the first code of laws in the history of humankind. I was greatly surprised to hear from her that when she taught at a university, she told students about these ancient laws. I was greatly pleased to hear this, and I am very proud of it. I also enjoyed the gorgeous Ukrainian nature. Ukraine will probably become a major international tourist attraction. Moreover, I have never had a hard time communicating with Ukrainian people. I have always succeeded in finding a common language with them. I was happy to learn that you have a great number of universities. I regard this as proof that the Ukrainian people pays serious attention to educating the younger generation and securing its employment opportunities. By the way, there are about 1,000 Iraqi students enrolled in various Ukrainian universities and majoring in various fields.

2. There are many such reasons. The first that comes to mind is the Ukrainian people’s simplicity and openness, your good folk spirit, and your charming nature. Also, I am glad to know that there are no problems for people who want to work in Ukraine. In particular, I mean working in the diplomatic sphere.