LEADERS

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A Solid
Strategic Partnership

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His Excellency Oleh Shamshur

Editors’ Note

A cum laude graduate of T. Shevchenko Kyiv University, Oleh Shamshur assumed his present position in 2006. Among the notable positions he has held in the public sector are First Secretary and Counselor of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations (1993-1996); Deputy Chairman of the Ukrainian State Committee for Nationalities and Migration (1996-1998); Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of Ukraine to Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg (1998-2003); head of the European Union department for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2003-2004); and Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (2004-2006).

What should our readers know about the bilateral relationship between Ukraine and the United States?

Our relations with the United States have a strategic character defined by the April 2005 Joint Statement of Presidents Victor Yushchenko and George W. Bush. This partnership is based upon shared democratic values, adherence to free-market principles, and a common vision of a safer and more prosperous future for our two nations and the world. Our relations have been increasingly characterized by mutual trust and the determination to work together to ensure peace and stability in Europe, combat international terrorism, promote democracy and human rights, and commonly address urgent global issues, such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, organized crime, trafficking, and HIV/AIDS.

For example, through our common work, Ukraine was able to voluntarily renounce and dispose of its arsenal of nuclear weapons. In addition, our peacekeepers have been standing together in Bosnia and Kosovo. Ukrainian Antonov aircraft have been carrying cargo to Afghanistan to assist U.S. and other NATO troops. Eight years ago, Ukraine, the U.S., Norway, and Russia started the Sea Launch program. Since then, Ukrainian Zenith rockets made 24 launches, putting dozens of satellites into orbit, including those that ensure XM broadcasting in the United States.

In what ways will the bilateral relationship between Ukraine and the United States evolve?

We are setting a largely new agenda of bilateral cooperation based on the successful implementation of the Presidents’ Joint Statement. We have three major objectives: The first is to further enhance the strategic character of Ukraine-U.S. relations through intensifying and deepening our political dialog and interaction to address regional and global issues that are vital to our nations. Secondly, we seek a radical increase in bilateral trade and economic exchanges, as $2.2 billion of trade turnover and $1.5 billion in investment in Ukraine fall short of the potential. Investment is essential in areas such as agriculture, metallurgy, chemicals, aerospace, aircraft manufacturing, telecommunications, financial services, and energy. Third, we want to develop a vibrant network of contacts, targeting young people from both countries.

Life in Ukraine is sometimes challenging, but we have irreversibly embarked upon the road to democracy and a market economy. We learn fast and have encouraging prospects. We offer America a solid strategic partnership and promising cooperation. We have a number of common challenges and objectives, and Ukraine holds the key to resolving many of them.