Ukraine makes economic in-roads into SE Asia

JAKARTA (JP): Six years after it declared its independence, the Ukraine is starting to make political and economic in-roads into Southeast Asia.

The Ukraine, one of the breakaway republics of the old Soviet Union, has established its beachhead for promoting closer ties with the region here.

It sees Indonesia as an important gateway to political and economic cooperation in Southeast Asian countries.

Ukrainian Ambassador Ihor A. Lytvyn told The Jakarta Post that Indonesia is the recognized leader of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Indonesia's position in ASEAN gives the Ukraine an opportunity to penetrate ASEAN markets, Lytvyn said.

After some 70 decades under the Soviet Union, the Ukraine declared its independence on Aug. 24, 1991, a decision confirmed later that year by a national referendum on Dec. 1.

After sorting out its own domestic problems, the Ukraine is now ready to extend itself into the international community.

The Ukraine has opened an embassy here, its first in Southeast Asia, which is expected to be fully operational early next month. Located in the Simprug area, South Jakarta, the embassy is expected to be officially opened by Ukraine's deputy of foreign minister.

Indonesia was among the first to recognize Ukrainian independence and the nations share good relations, according to Lytvyn.

He said the Ukraine was entering the world community as a long-standing, equal and reliable partner in politics and especially in trade and economic affairs.

The Ukraine considers the deepening and broadening of ties with ASEAN among the top priorities of its foreign policy.

Convinced that the industrial, scientific, technological, and manpower potential of the Ukraine can be shared with Asian partners, the nation entered last year a new phase of its international engagement.

The Ukraine's desire to be included in the region's network is evident with its plans to participate in the newly formed Asia- Europe Summit, which held its first meeting in Bangkok last year.

Lytvyn claims that Indonesia has indicated that it supports the Ukraine in its endeavor.

Whether it can be admitted as a participant for the next summit meeting in London, in April, is another matter.

Speaking about the bilateral ties between Indonesian and the Ukraine, Lytvyn said that their mutual support was a model of Europe-Asia cooperation.

"We have been friends, we are friends and we are going to be friends," Lytvyn said of the current state of relations. (10)