AFUO CHAIRMAN’S UKRAINE VISIT UPDATE 14-20 MARCH 2016
I am currently in Kyiv for a working week of meetings. As part of Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) Delegation we have had a series of meetings as outlined below.
Issues raised are also listed in point form below.
Currently the issue of Ukraine’s political leadership is at the forefront. It is anticipated that there will be a change of PM on one hand, yet others are taking the line that there is stability and no need for change. There are many meetings being held by political parties and factions.
The important thing is that this matter must be solved and indications are that it will be resolved in the next 10 days – 14 days.
The issue of Russian aggression, propaganda and demands of the Minsk accords and Russian noncompliance , fighting corruption, the Papal meeting with Patriarch Kyril have all been central to our discussions.
The need for Ukraine to project far more positive image to highlight WHAT IS BEING DONE has also been the topic of discussion. Those living in Ukraine, Foreign Governments and international media need to have this information on a regular basis.
All whom we have met are very grateful to Ukrainian Diaspora for the work being undertaken by the UWC and in our case AFUO.
The President of Ukraine paid special tribute to Australia and thanked the Government and the community for its efforts.
Former PM Tony Abbott is flying in later this week for meetings the Advisory Council convened by President Poroshenko.
There is a meeting with Tony Abbott scheduled on Saturday to provide him an AFUO brief on issues in Ukraine and Australia Ukraine issues.
I will provide a more full report on my return.
MEETINGS TO DATE
- President Petro Poroshenko
- PM – Arseniy Yatseniuk
- Minister for Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin
- Deputy Speaker Andrij Parubij
- Blazenihyj Patriarch Sviatoslav
- Header of Ukraine Security Service Vasyl Hrycak
- Serhij Taruta
- Deputy VR – Andrij Lewus
- Activist Serhij Kuzan Вільні Люди
- Gennadij Kravets – Business Forum Update
- Petro Matiaszek – Update on issues in Ukraine
- Patriot Defence
MEETINGS SCHEDULED
- Ambassadors of the G7
- Papul Nuncio
- Ukrainians Fashion Festival Organisers
- ATO – Exhibition organisers
- National business forum
- 1 Day Conference – The future direction
- Chief Monitor in Ukraine OSCE Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan https://www.eda.admin.ch/dam/eda/en/documents/aktuell/dossiers/ams-factsheet-ukraine-SEF_EN.pdf
- Minister foe Education Serhij Kvit
- Minister for Information Ihor Stets
- Hanna Hopko – Chair of VR Foreign affairs Committee
- Information Session on OZUKE2016 Business Forum and Farewell function for Ambassador Doug Trappett
- Former PM Tony Abbott
ISSUES DISCUSSED
Meetings focussing on how diaspora can work with Ukraine
- Taking out the message that there are many reforms
- Reinforcing fact that more work need to be done to take out the message of what is happening in terms of reforms
- Ukraine and UWC participation in Netherlands referendum
- Russian aggression in Eastern Ukraine
- Nadiya Savchenko
- Crimea issue
- Russian propaganda
- Papal meeting with Russian Orthodox leader Kyril
- We have been presented with evidence of the fight with corruption to date
- Call on all levels of Government to cooperate and sort out as soon as possible the issues of cabinet leadership and show a united front
- Analysis of how the international community assesses Ukraine’ performance
- Australia visa issues
- Australian Embassy and AFUO cooperation
- Australia-Ukraine Business Forum
Update Embassy of Australia in Ukraine
The Ambassador of Australian Ukraine Doug Trappett is leaving the post in Kyiv at the end of the month to take up a position of Secretary to the Governor of Victoria. He has done a wonderful job and is well respected. http://governor.vic.gov.au/the-office-of-the-governor/staff/official-secretary
The AFUO will now continue to lobby DFAT to ensure a replacement is sent to maintain the level of activity.
An AFUO event has been organised thank him.
Regards,
Stefan Romaniw
Chairman
The Nadiya Savchenko and Crimea situations are live issues. The AFUO calls on our State Hromady to coordinate State Activities – Well Done AUSA on your rally yesterday – NSW on your planned rally and AUT for contacting MP’s.
