24 Nov 2016
Doha

Ambassador Yevhen Mykytenko of Ukraine said ' diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the State of Qatar go back to year 1993 when a relevant Memorandum was signed by the two states here in Doha in Sheraton hotel. Over the last 23 years both countries enjoyed a quite intensive political dialogue. Three times the ministers of foreign affairs of Ukraine visited Qatar.' He was addressing at a reception hosted by him celebrating National Day at Hotel Grand Hyatt, Doha

'Ambassador said that Two Ukrainian Presidents and two Ukrainian Prime-ministers paid official visits to Doha during these 23 years.

'In October 2011 the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani paid an official visit to the Ukrainian capital. That visit was an important milestone in the bilateral ties which had laid a solid foundation to the future development of relations in all spheres.'

Ambassador said 'At the beginning of 2013 Ukraine has opened its embassy in Doha, the Qatari side established its Embassy in Kyiv in September 2013.' He told that in February 2016 the Foreign ministers of Ukraine and the State of Qatar held a meeting in the framework of the Munich Security Conference in Germany.

'A month ago a summit between the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of the 71-st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. We have common promising plans for the future!'

'The trade and economic relations between our countries are developing sustainably. In 2015 the volume of annual turnover reached 25 mln. USD, while during the first nine months of the current year it has already hit 33 mln. USD. Despite that we realize clearly that these figures are still far enough from the real potential of both countries, he said.

'Qatar remains an important energy partner for Ukraine and a potential LNG supplier. Currently both countries are paying much attention to this issue to figure out the most effective ways and routes of delivering Qatari gas to Ukraine,' Ukrainian ambassador to State of Qatar said in his address.

Ambassador highlighted successful role of Ukrainian Steel Pipe Producers in the Gulf Market “Interpipe”, as well as it's significant contribution towards Ukrainian economy. 'Interpipe' is the sponsor of the event also.

It is to note that 'Interpipe' is the biggest private domestic investor in Ukraine, having invested about 1 bln. USD in the sphere of construction.

Ambassador It is also important to stress up the substantial intensification of the Inter-parliamentary contacts between the two states which has been achieved after the establishment back in February 2015 of the Inter-parliamentary Group of Friendship with the State of Qatar in the Parliament of Ukraine.

Since Ukraine is becoming more famous and popular European destination among the nationals and residents of Qatar, both countries are sparing no effort to finalize the formalities to launch a direct flight between Doha and Kyiv as soon as possible.

I would like also to emphasize the fact that every year more and more Qataris are visiting Ukraine for tourism, business and even for medical treatment in various health centers of Ukraine including the International clinic for Rehabilitation headed by Prof. Koziavkin.

I express also special thanks to Ali Bin Ali Group and Ukrainian Confectionary Factory for their support in organizing this event.
I am also delighted to invite you to visit KATARA Cultural Village to attend the Ukrainian Art Exhibition, which is open until October 30th,Building No. 18.

Given this opportunity, I would like to congratulate all Ukrainian citizens and all the supporters of Ukraine in Qatar on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine.

'Three years ago there were not more than 300 Ukrainians in Qatar, nowadays – more than 1 thousand.'

A cake cutting ceremony took place after Ukrainian ambassador's speech