Mykola Kulinich
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Australia
DOI https://doi.org/10.37837/2707-7683-2018-12
Abstract. The article focuses on areas of Australian-Ukrainian cooperation. The author draws attention to Australia’s support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine as well as continuation of the sanctions regime against the Russian Federation. Australia has completely abandoned its activities on the Crimean peninsula, supported all the Ukrainian international initiatives on human rights protection in Crimea. As for the Donbas, Australia officially recognizes the conflict as a foreign invasion, not a civil war.
The article deals with important areas of bilateral relations: restoration of the Australian-Ukrainian parliamentary friendship group in the Australian Parliament; the first-ever visit of the President of the Australian Senate to Ukraine; efforts to upgrade the level of Australian diplomatic representation in Ukraine; opening of the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Sydney; cooperation on the MH17 plane crash investigation, both bilateral and international; statement of the Australian Senate on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the 1932-1933 Holodomor in Ukraine; finally, further expansion of areas of collaboration.
Economic cooperation is being developed in the nuclear energy sphere. The establishment of the Australian Space Agency, development of energy cooperation as well as synergy in the Antarctic open new opportunities for Ukraine. The role of the Ukrainian diaspora in promoting the interests of Ukraine in Australia deserves particular attention.
The author argues that despite geographical remoteness, Ukraine and Australia do share common values. In days of great global turmoil, this fact acquires particular significance.
Keywords: Australia, Ukraine, international cooperation, Australia-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, Senate, international organizations, bilateral relations.