Ukraine makes economic in-roads into SE Asia
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)