Tazeen Akhtar -Ume Laila
Ambassador of Ukraine H.E Volodymyr Lakomov has said that Naya Pakistan will certainly be built as the speeches of Prime Minister Imran Khan depict a vision and leadership. Ukraine-Pakistan relations will see Boom in near future for which home work is complete from defence to trade and economic sectors.
Ambassador said this in an Exclusive Interview to “Pakistan in the World” in connection with coming National Day of Ukraine and for Exclusive Series of our magazine “How the Diplomatic Community Sees Naya Pakistan.?”
Mr. Vlad Lakomov said that “I attended the Defence Day ceremony at GHQ. I attend this event every year since 2012 when I was posted in Pakistan. For them Pakistan is first. It is always very emotional. Widows, children and parents of martyrs are there. They have feelings for their loved ones who sacrificed their today for their nation’s tomorrow.”
“Speeches by the leaders, Prime Minister Imran Khan and COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa were very important, visionary. This year the speeches were more mindful and thoughtful.”
“I am quite sure after listening to their speeches that Pakistan will leap forward. People of Pakistan have great expectations with new government .Not only the business community but the common public is also looking towards new government for Naya Pakistan. We take Prime Minister Imran Khans’s speeches and statements positive, trustworthy and interesting. We are sure new plans of new government will be implemented. Naya Pakistan will definitely come into existence. We can share ideas. We wish him the best.”
Mr. Vlad Lakomov said that “Every country has its own experiences and dynamics. PM Imran rightly uses the term “Meritocracy” for Bureaucracy. A country needs professional and expert bureaucracy for development. We agree with PM Imran that this is the right way to bring the reforms in the country.”
“Ambassador said that we are launching cooperation for development at deep level including science technology, agreements between universities, in sports and culture. We are also planning to bring Ukrainian artists to Pakistan.
“Ukraine Business Days will be held in all important cities of Pakistan. Chambers of Commerce will be taken on boards for Days. Two Pakistani business delegations have visited Ukraine. The delegations visited provincial chambers of commerce. They examined the prospects of doing business with Ukraine businessmen. Ukraine has specialized groups in the sectors of development, agriculture, processing of agriculture etc. Our machinery for vegetable oil has shown very good performance.”
Mr. Vlad Lakomov said that “I returned from Ukraine last week. I participated in ambassador’s conference. Here meetings with President and Prime Minister were very productive and strong. Our government is keen to promote cooperation with Pakistan. Our people, businessmen and investors want to visit Pakistan.”
Ambassador while replying to a question about CPEC said that we are providing information to our people. Delegations exchange is expected from this year. Entrepreneurs can see the possibilities of joint ventures when they meet and discuss the prospects. Business and Trade will be enhanced afterwards.
“We have conducted study on CPEC and briefed our companies of transport and business development sector. We have asked them to look into the opportunities that CPEC can offer. CPEC can change the economic geography of this region when it will become functional. China and Central Asian market will be easy to reach. Our experts of transport and connectivity sectors will visit Karachi and Gawader. We are working on their visit to Pakistan.”
Mr. Vlad Lakomov said that we are looking forward to increase in investments. We are hopeful for strengthening of economic cooperation. Soon there will be boom in bilateral relations.
Ambassador said that “We participated vehemently in IDEAS 2018 (Defence Exhibition of Pakistan). We shared ideas and exchanged views for working together.”
“Both countries are in difficult situation and time but both are fighting for future and becoming stronger. Both countries have not wasted the time. For example, Ukraine developed a strong and vibrant economy when we were facing the Russian aggression. Pakistan is also moving ahead with new leadership and new ideas.”
“Our President, Prime Minister and Minister Foreign Affairs have sent messages of felicitations to their counter parts and also shared the ideas how to enhance the bilateral cooperation. We look forward to the implementation of these ideas. These ideas include cooperation in Aviation, Maritime and Road Transport etc.”
Ambassador said that “15 agreements are ready to be signed that are related to transport, investments protections, diplomatic and service passports. Ukraine and Pakistan have many common interest areas that include defence, agriculture, national building projects and others. Bilateral trade is improving. We have seen growth in past seven months at both sides. We have balance of trade between the two countries.”
Mr. Vlad Lakomov , recalling his visit to Russian Aggression hit areas, told that “We visited the town of Avdiyevka in Donbas Region this month. Avdiyevka is coal and steel industry plant, one of the biggest in Ukraine. In Donbas front area, I was very inspired by the Ukrainian Army that is quite a new army and it has great potential to overcome the enemies. It was unforgettable experience. It is basically an industrial town around factories of coke and pencil. The Russians attacked this town, bombarded it. The cruelest act of Russians was to cut the electricity water and heating of this city at a time when the temperature was -20 degree in December and January. But Ukraine stood with its countrymen and the whole country came to rescue them. Ukraine military took this city back from Russian in only 2 weeks time and restored all necessities for life. Ukrainian citizens from all over the country donated generators and shelters for their people here. Russians did not spare the people who were in shelters even. They included women and children as well. Russians bombarded the shelters. Now these people say that they will never forgive Russians for what they did to them.”
Published in Sep 2018 Issue of Pakistan in the World Magazine 
