President Viktor Yanukovych
Introduced
Minister for Foreign Affairs
11 March 2010
Today President of
Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych introduced his new foreign policy chief Mr. Kostyantyn
Gryshchenko to the top personnel of the Foreign Ministry.
In his introductory
remarks the President stated that the newly appointed Foreign Minister is well aware
of rapid transformations in the global political environment, which require
adequate response to the new challenges and threats, including those in the
wake of the financial crisis. “We live through the times of changes. Ukraine
occupies its relevant place on the world map, and we will work to improve that,”
- the President said. He believes the priority of the Foreign Ministry is a
revival of certain economic positions, where Ukraine is missing opportunities. An
economic aspect of the foreign policy has to be enhanced, i.a. through rationally
involving the potential of Ukraine’s trade missions abroad and their integral activity
within embassies and the Foreign Ministry. Viktor Yanukovych pledged support of
his new government to this decision, since the intensified trade and economic
relations will provide more investments to Ukraine.
The President is also
convinced that the work of existing bilateral inter-governmental commissions must
be revised and the tasks that are not fulfilled must be subject to further
proposals. “These issues have to be solved thoroughly and promptly” - the Head
of State underlined – “Political games in inter-governmental relations are
unacceptable. We must perform our tasks in response to our national interests.”
He went further emphasizing
that protection of Ukraine’s national interests and pragmatic foreign policy that
would serve the state are to be the cornerstone of the Foreign Ministry’s work.
Thereby, a triangle of the Russian Federation, European Union and USA will
always remain under the main focus.
Besides, Viktor
Yanukovych pointed out that an established cooperation between all branches of
power should become a top task, success of which will also contribute to the
efficient work of the Foreign Ministry.
In his remarks to the
Ukrainian diplomats, the President also touched upon issues of the energy
security, where he noted that this issue remains rather acute and uncertain. The
Head of State stressed on an intention to approach this issue with regard to Ukraine’s
national interests and to gradually achieve diversification of energy supplies.
Viktor Yanukovych
wished all success in the future work to new Minister Gryshchenko as well as he
expressed gratitude to the outgoing Minister Poroshenko for his significant
contribution into the development of Ukraine’s diplomatic service and the realization
of its foreign policy priorities during uneasy times that the country had faced
during his tenure at the Ministry.
Kostyantyn Gryshchenko
thanked Viktor Yanukovych for the trust and support, while noting that the
MFA’s objective is a strict implementation of priorities defined by the
President of Ukraine.
In his address to the
Ministry’s top personnel, Mr. Gryshchenko assured to provide appropriate conditions
to facilitate efficient work of the Ukrainian diplomats at the central office and
in missions abroad. He also added that the MFA’s work should be designed in a
way to target concrete results, which requires the diplomats to express personal
initiative, diligence and to maintain discipline. “We must expand our work
towards achieving tangible results,” - underscored Minister Gryshchenko.