United Kingdom supports Ukraine’s European aspirations and believes that Kyiv has achieved important progress toward the signing of the association with the EU. This was stated by Her Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague before the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on October 21.
also in this issue:
Road-show «Invest in Ukraine 2013» held in London Page 4
Memory of Donetsk founder honoured in London Page 5
British children shared their impressions of Artek Page 6
Ukraine Digest, Friday, November 1, 2013
Page 2
european integration
Kostyantyn Gryschenko met William Hague in London On 31 October, 2013 Kostyantyn Gryschenko, Vice-primeminister of Ukraine, met with William Hague, UK Foreign Secretary, in the framework of Open Government Partnership Annual Summit in London. The counterparts exchanged their views on the European integration of Ukraine, namely the prospects of signing the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU at the Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit this November. The particular attention has been paid to the implementation of comprehensive reforms
necessary for the signing of this strategic document. Sides also touched upon a wide range of issues of bilateral
agenda, first of all with regards to the activation of political dialog as well as ways to boost trade and economic relations.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary Notes Progress in Ukraine’s European Integration
The U.K. supports Ukraine’s European aspirations and believes that Kyiv has achieved important progress toward the signing of the association with the EU. This was stated by Her Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague before the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, reported Ukrinform on October 22. In his statement the U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague stressed that what was happening in Ukraine was not just a matter of one person (Yulia Tymoshenko - Ed.) but referred to important reforms where Ukraine had achieved important progress. He also noted of the importance of further pro-
gress while addressing the issues of selective justice, elections and judicial reform in Ukraine. In conclusion, the U.K. official expressed hope that Kyiv fulfilled the necessary conditions for signing the Association Agreement with the EU in late November in Vilnius. Similar hope was expressed by the government officials of many European countries including Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and others.
Ashton hopes to celebrate Ukraine’s achievement in Vilnius Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, hopes to celebrate the achievement of Ukraine on the way to the signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union during the Eastern Partnership summit on November 28-29 in Vilnius: “We are absolutely clear of what
needs to be done, we are absolutely clear of the need to move forward, and I hope that in Vilnius we will be able to celebrate these things to have been done and will be able to continue with the relationship. <..> The
summit is to open a new chapter in the relationship. We have also begun to assess the progress made by Ukraine in implementing the criteria. And we remain committed to moving forward with each of our partners”.
European experts consider the signing of the UkraineEU Association Agreement to be the crucial step in the development of the EU’s Eastern Partnership
Failure to cooperate with neighbors will strip the EU of its credibility. Additionally, Georgia and Moldova depend on the seriousness of the EU-Ukraine cooperation to help their own progress» Amanda Paul, European Policy Center
Given Ukraine is the main component of the Eastern Partnership, the whole Eastern Partnership policy would require rethinking should the AA with Ukraine not be signed» Christian Forstner, Director Brussels Office HSS on Foreign Policy www.UkraineDigest.co.uk
Ukraine Digest, Friday, November 1, 2013
Page 3
economy
Ukraine is constantly working to create favorable conditions for business and investments UKRAINE is constantly working to create favorable business-environment. This was stated by Viktor Yanukovych, President of Ukraine, in his speech at the Ukrainian-Czech businessforum. He stressed that the main factors for that were the functioning of the Council of Investors under the President of Ukraine and the application of the law on stateprivate partnership. “We are working with famous consulting companies of the world level and attracting investors to this work,” Viktor Yanukovych said. The Head of State urged Ukrainian and Czech investors to cooperate actively. “I am confident that we will create all the conditions and
welcome such cooperation,” the President emphasized. The President reminded that the new Customs Code elaborated under the world standards had entered into force on June 1, 2012. In addition, according to Viktor Yanukovych significant attention is paid to the
struggle against corruption and corporate raiding. Particularly, the work is held to improve anti-corruption legislation in order to eliminate a series of gaps and increase the efficiency of struggle against corruption. “We are working jointly with international experts.
Doing Business 2014 Report:
We have restored the work of the Interagency Commission on Protection of the Rights of Investors and Combating Illegal Acquisition and Seizure of Enterprises. This commission is aimed at the elaboration and implementation of efficient mechanisms of combating raiding. This problem exists but we are working over it,” the Head of State noted. The President stressed that positive changes in economic and legislative sphere of our state had also been reflected in the international ratings. According to the last rating of competitiveness published by the Swiss Institute of Management Development, Ukraine has raised from the 56th to the 49th position.
Ukraine is most improved economy The World Bank and the IFC experts have acknowledged tremendous progress of Ukraine in simplifying conditions for doing business. Having leaped 25 positions since last year, the country is ranked 112 among 189 economies in the Doing Business 2014 report. Ukraine has implemented regulatory reforms for local entrepreneurs in eight areas out of 10 between June 2012 and June 2013. Ukraine has improved the most over the past year in making it easier to run a business, as indicated in the Doing Business 2014 report released by the World Bank and the IFC in October 2013. Ukraine’s growth in the ease of doing business ranking started last year when the coun-
try jumped 15 positions to 137 from 152. In 2012-2013 Ukraine has advanced by another 25 positions to become the top improver. In the first quarter of 2013 foreign investors have invested almost USD 1.6 billion – 76 percent increase compared to the first quarter of 2012. Ukraine received the highest ranking (13th place) for the ease of getting a loan, surpassing Brazil, and following Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. The biggest progress in the starting a business category Ukraine obtained by eliminating the requirement for registration with the State Statistics Service and by eliminating the cost for value added tax registration. The Eastern European country also simplified construc-
We, at the World Bank Group, are encouraged by Ukraine’s regulatory improvements in the past year. The country’s ranking in this year’s Doing Business report shows that a lot can be achieved in a short time when there is a political will for reform» Qimiao Fan, World Bank Country Director
tion permit issuance and registration of real estate ownership rights. “We, at the World Bank Group, are encouraged by Ukraine’s regulatory improvements in the past year. The country’s ranking in this year’s Doing Business report shows that a lot can be achieved in a short time when there is a political will for reform,” said Qimiao Fan, World Bank Country Director for Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. He also noted that the current reforms make Ukraine the best place to do business. He expressed hope that the government would further continue to implement reforms. www.UkraineDigest.co.uk
Ukraine Digest, Friday, November 1, 2013
Page 4
economy
Road-show «Invest in Ukraine 2013» held in London
We are interested in waste and recycling areas of Ukrainian economy, sectors directly related to agriculture, aggregation and agriculture itself. We know that Ukraine is pretty advanced in solar and wind as well and we would consider that to be a good option for us. Energy efficiency in other ways would also be a priority» Preston Brooks, Virgin Green Fund EM
S
econd investment roadshow «Invest in Ukraine 2013», during which investment projects of small and medium Ukrainian companies were exhibited, was held in London on 24th of October 2013 at the Embassy of Ukraine. Among participants in this event organized by Ukrainian Business Centre in London were Volodymyr Khandogiy, the Ambassador of Ukraine in the United Kingdom, Aleksandr Fomenko, Deputy Head of Donetsk Regional State Administration, and Gennadiy Chyzhykov, President of the Chamber of Commerce
of Ukraine. Among other attendees were representatives of British investment funds and companies, which are interested in entering Ukrainian market. In his opening speech addressed to all attending the event Volodymyr Khandogiy talked about investment potential of Ukraine. Ambassador placed great emphasis on how signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and European Union would benefit British entrepreneurs, in the context of emergence of a new free trade area. Six Ukrainian investment projects in the field of agriculture and innovative technologies were presented as part of the road-show. Additionally, a special presentation on the economic potential of the Donetsk region was made. The aim of this event was to establish a direct dialogue between Ukrainian businessmen and British and European investors that are willing to invest into Ukrainian ventures, and to increase the flow of foreign direct investments into Ukrainian economy.
Ukraine is already playing the significant role in the agricultural trade worldwide, occupying the first position amongst exporters of grain and sunflower oil. Herewith our country has the potential for further improvement. Ukraine has 32 mln hectares of high quality arable land and the favourable geographical location, close to the main consumers - Middle Anton Parkhomenko, East and North Africa. I believe these General Director are the main reasons to invest in the of Trading House agricultural sector of Ukraine» “Uspih”
Great Britain is among top 10 investors into the Ukrainian economy
Volodymyr Khandogiy, Ukraine’s Ambassador Turnover in trade in goods and servises between Ukraine and Great Britain increased dynamically during the recent years despite some negative consequences of the world economic crisis. Last year the turnover exceeded 3 billion dollars. Great Britain is among top 10 investors into the Ukrainian economy. It is important to hold such business forums in London for the development of the bilateral economic relations. In particular, it is a good opportunity to demonstrate British businesses the benefits of signing the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, including creation of a deep and comprehensive free trade area»
www.UkraineDigest.co.uk
Ukraine Digest, Friday, November 1, 2013
Page 5
history
Memory of Donetsk founder honoured in London
A
specialized business reception commemorating the memory of the founder of Ukrainian city Donetsk (originally known as Hughesovka) and region’s first investor John James Hughes was held on 25th of October 2013 in London. This event is being held every year by British-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce. Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr Khandogiy, Deputy Head of Donetsk Regional State Administration Oleksandr Fomenko, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Ukraine Gennadiy Chygykov and many more participated in this event. Among other guests were representatives from such companies as System Capital Management Holdings and Royal Dutch Shell as well as other prominent British financial and investment companies that have economic relations with Ukraine.
There is still much potential for further expanding and deepening British-Ukrainian economic cooperation and that events such as this actively facilitate the strengthening of business and cultural connections between the two countries» Volodymyr Khandogiy, Ukraine’s Ambassador
Hughesovka. The Future Begins in the Past - Art Exhibition Date: 11.11.2013 - 17.11.2013 Time: 09.30 - 17.30 Venue: Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Address: Harbour Dr, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF10 4PA Price: FREE ENTRY The exhibition is dedicated to the role of the Welsh engineer and businessman John James Hughes in the history of Ukraine. The exhibition includes a collection of graphics and paintings of a famous Ukrainian artist Tatyana Ponomarenko-Laverash telling the story of the birth of Hughesovka (Donetsk).
Photo: Monument to John Hughes in Donetsk, Ukraine
In his opening statement Volodymyr Khandogiy has stressed that there is still much potential for further expanding and deepening BritishUkrainian economic cooperation and that events such as this actively facilitate the strengthening of business and cultural connections between the two countries. Ambassador also informed the attendees of the event about measures of Ukrainian government to commemorate 200th anniversary of John Hughes’ birth in 2014 and invited everybody to attend the painting exhibition by famous Ukrainian painter Tetyana Ponomarenko-Leverash titled “Hughesovka. The future lies in the past.” This exhibition will be held from 12th thru 17th of November at Norwegian Church in Cardiff.
After the event Ukrainian diplomats partook in wreath laying ceremony at the grave of John Hughes in West Norwood cemetery in London. This ceremony was made possible thanks to the support of Bob Flanagan, President of Friends of West Norwood Cemetery. John James Hughes was born in 1814 in welsh town of Merthyr-Tydfil to the family of local metallurgy engineer. In 1869 he founded his own metal works plant on the site of modern Donetsk, which shortly became one of the biggest industrial centres of Russian Empire. Today, city of Donetsk is the industrial and financial centre of Eastern Ukraine, “coal mining capital” of Ukraine and the heart of most economically developed region of Ukraine. www.UkraineDigest.co.uk
Ukraine Digest, Friday, November 1, 2013
Page 6
culture
British children shared their impressions of Artek
T
en British children met the Ambassador of Ukraine Volodymyr Khandogiy at the Embassy in London and shared their impressions of visiting Artek this summer. The kids from London, Milton Keynes, Hemel Hempstead, Norfolk, Gloucester, Cambridge participated in the 12th International Children Festival “Let’s Change the World for the Better” and represented their country at OSCE Children and Youth Summit, which was held on 20 July-4 August in Artek International Children Centre, Ukraine. On that day, October 29, British children delivered the Appeal and Resolution of OSCE Children and Youth Summit adopted and signed by 60 countries to the Prime Minister of UK at 10 Downing Street. After the meeting at Cabinet Office children visited
the Parliament to discussed the main issues of OSCE Children and Youth Summit with the Baroness Caroline Cox. At the meeting at the Embassy British kids told the Ukrainian Ambassador about how excited they were about their trip to Ukraine. The children assured that those couple of weeks in Artek changed their lives and seeing of the world. They participated in OSCE Summit and discussed the future of the Planet, how to live in safe environment without Chernobyls and wars. They made friends with 800 kids from more than 60 countries, and kids felt that they could change the world for the better and they all told that these two weeks “they lived in the happiest Place in the world – Artek with nothing but smiles and friendship, and where we saw the model what the world should be!”. Volodymyr Khandogiy encouraged children to de-
Children are our future. Friendship between children from all over the world means establishing future relation between nations. That is why such events are extremely important for bilateral cooperation» Volodymyr Khandogiy, Ukraine’s Ambassador
For more information, please, contact Oksana Kyzyma, Press Secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine to the UK
velop friendship with their new friends from Ukraine and other parts of the world. “Children are our future,” – stressed the Ambassador, “Friendship between children from all over the world means establishing future relation between nations. That is why such events are extremely important for bilateral cooperation”. The participation of British children at the OSCE Children and Youth Summit became possible due to the fruitful cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine. The Artek Festival Project in UK was initiated in 2004 by The Chernobyl Relief Foundation in UK. Since then more than 70 British children represented the British culture and traditions at the Festivals and discussed how to make the world better. They became the active supporters of the Foundation and raised thousands of pounds for the Chernobyl children. Tel.: 020 7727 6312 E-mail: press@ukremb.org.uk Address: 60 Holland Park, London W11 3SJ
Issue #26, November 1, 2013 In the preparation of this issue materials of UKRINFORM, WNU, ubcl.co.uk were used