Ukrainian Ambassador to Qatar , H E Andrii Kuzmenko
The Ukrainian embassy in Doha marks the 29th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, emphasising its strong bilateral relations with Qatar, today.
“Over the recent years we significantly intensified high-level political dialogue and trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and Qatar. We keep maintaining this trend, which is exemplified by exchange of numerous visits of Qatari and Ukrainian leadership and officials,” said H E Andrii Kuzmenko, Ukraine Ambassador to Qatar.
“Both sides are highly interested in further expansion of the whole spectrum of bilateral cooperation,” he told The Peninsula.
H E Kuzmenko said that in 2020 a new page of the Ukrainian-Qatari relations started with the recent online signing ceremony of the Concession Agreement for the concession of the Ukrainian port Olvia by the Qatari company QTerminals.
“I hope that the victory of the ‘QTerminals’ in the concession tender for the Ukrainian seaport is a great start, and I am sure it will encourage other Qatari investors to look at Ukraine as a very promising investment market,” said H E Kuzmenko.
Over the last four years, Ukraine has been witnessing unwavering trend of annual increase in trade turnover with Qatar. “In 2019 our trade turnover reached its all-time highest figures, which was $90m. In 2018, which was previously the most fruitful year for our bilateral trade, a turnover of $70m.
“Moreover, our trade statistics over the first six months of the current 2020 year demonstrate an outstanding performance during this period, we have already reached $76m. And I would like to stress that this is on the backdrop of the global economic recession, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said H E Kuzmenko.
In 2017, Qatar Airways introduced direct flights to Kyiv. Also, both countries implemented visa waving for citizens and that has brought extremely important impetus towards significant acceleration of the people-to-people ties, according to H E Kuzmenko.
“I am glad that nowadays Ukrainian-Qatari relations are developing dynamically not only at the government level, but also at the level of human relations.”
“Qatar is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Ukrainian tourists. I am also glad that more and more citizens of Qatar consider Ukraine as an attractive destination for tourism and recreation, launching businesses and implementing investment projects,” said H E Kuzmenko.
“Of course, visa-free regime and direct flights between our capitals contribute significantly to the acceleration of the business contacts as well,” he added.
In 2017, around 7,000 Ukrainians visited Qatar. In 2018, 15,000 and in 2019, 22,600 Ukrainians visited Qatar.
H E Kuzmenko expressed his gratitude to the leadership of Qatar for providing Ukraine with the humanitarian medical aid in May this year aimed at combating COVID-19.
“Qatar demonstrates a strong commitment to a spirit of partnership and mutual assistance. By providing significant and targeted assistance to its foreign partners, Qatar is making a significant contribution to the global efforts to overcome the pandemic, reaffirming its high prestige in the international arena,” he said.
As of the end of 2019, about 1,500 Ukrainians reside in Qatar. “However, taking into account the visa-free regime between our countries, the total number of our compatriots here is bigger and could be between 2,000 and 2,500,” H E Kuzmenko said, adding that majority of Ukrainians in Qatar work in health, sport and hospitality sectors.
Due to the COVID-19, the Ukrainian embassy in Doha will take part in some virtual events dedicated to the celebration of the Independence Day.
The embassy will join their Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic missions in other countries for a creative and innovative online project — an online marathon, which is aimed at presenting traditions and innovations, nature and urban life and secrets of the Ukrainian cuisine.
Also by end of August, Ukrainian artists Andrii and Nadia Chernovil will initiate launching a unique online project — ‘Museum of Contemporary Ukrainian Art in Doha.’
“This will be the first event of its kind in Qatar related to presenting to the local audience works of the most prominent Ukrainian artists. We hope that this platform will become permanent. I personally consider that cultural dimension is a very important pillar of the inter-state dialogue and strengthening friendship between the nations,” said H E Kuzmenko.
