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@ Russian troops would cross into Ukraine from Crimea,border and via Belarus – Reports @ Ukraine’s 44,000 SKM Territory is under temporary Russian occupation including Crimea @ The EU and NATO Memberships remain our strategic goals – We are near to achieve both @ Pakistan Challenging, Interesting Country -Its high time to start bridging the gaps
Ukraine is the biggest trade partner of Pakistan in East Europe.
Both countries enjoy very close, cordial relations since the independence of Ukraine from USSR. Major share of bilateral cooperation consists of defence equipment. The people of Ukraine have suffered a lot to restore and safeguard their statehood. Russian Federation has occupied Ukrainian peninsula Crimea and some other territories on the border for last seven years. Now the reports are coming in media that Russia is planning to wage a large war against Ukraine.
“Pakistan in the World” requested Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of Ukraine to Pakistan Mr. Markiian Chuchuk for interview on bilateral affairs and new challenges to Ukrainian security. Here is the interview for our readers. We are thankful to Ms Olena Bordilovska for coordinating the meeting and interview.
Q-How have you found working in Pakistan?
A-It is my second mission abroad in capacity of Ambassador of Ukraine. The first one was in Thailand, in 2008-2014. I had been accredited as Ambassador in 3 countries – Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.I opened for myself there a fascinating world of Asian culture, history and traditions. It was incredibly challenging but breathtaking time! After completing of my first mission my interest to East persisted and increased.
So, when time had come to make a choice regarding the new country where I wish to be posted, I took a conscious decision in favor of Pakistan.In terms of diplomatic work and duties Pakistan is not very different from other countries. At the same time it is not easy to understand local political process as well as comprehend values and priorities which move it ahead and inspire people.That is why I believe that Pakistan is simultaneously challenging and interesting place for every diplomat.
Q- What was your first impression when you received appointment orders for Pakistan. How much did you know about Pakistan that time?
A- Frankly saying, my knowledge about Pakistan before arrival was limited and a bit distorted. There are so many myths about Pakistan in books and in the Internet, which are far from reality. Comparing many other countries, especially European, Pakistan is less globalized and more traditional.
Pakistan seems to be telling the world: accept me as I am or leave.
I have to admit that it was not easy to get used to local conditions and standards, to local food and lifestyle.But due to dedicated work of my colleagues and assistance of cooperative and cheerful Pakistani people I feel myself absolutely comfortable now and every day open new attractions of your beautiful country.
My stay here is a new challenge and a new opportunity altogether.
I have always seen Pakistan as an amazing country with rich historical heritage, unique nature and extraordinary culture. The land of the magic mountain peaks, which attract climbers from all over the world, and a birthplace of ancient civilizations.
The Islamic country of unique linguistic, cultural and religious diversity and tolerance at the same time.
As well as the country with the youngest population in the world – a demographic trend that makes Pakistan a country of the future.
Speaking in terms of geopolitics, Pakistan plays a crucial role in the balance of power and stability in the South Asian region.
And last but not least, I`ve always seen Pakistan as a friendly country and important partner of Ukraine.
I can openly tell you that I am not disappointed with Pakistan after my arrival but rather thrilled with it and doing my best to learn it even more.
Q- Which areas of mutual cooperation do you think require more attention?
A- Our countries have been enjoying mutually beneficial and problem-free relations for almost 30 years (on 16 March 2022). Ukraine and Pakistan do extremely well in the field of military-technical cooperation. It`s a kind of “success story” of our bilateral relations.
Particularly, since 1996 more than 150 contracts worth more than 1.5 billion USD have been signed. In 2021 the military-technical cooperation between our countries has further intensified and its general annual volume is expected to reach up to 180 million USD.
Good prospects and huge potential characterize all spheres of our bilateral cooperation. All of them require more attention from both sides, much more attention.
Q- It is long time that there is no high level interaction between two countries. What are the possibilities in near future?
A- You are right. There has been very limited high level contacts between the two countries during long time and no exchange of high ranking visits since establishing of the diplomatic relations.
The official visit to Ukraine of the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in May 2021 has broken this wall.It reaffirmed intentions of both sides to develop strong and deeply rooted ties between our countries in military and technical sphere.
At the same time, the visit underscored the need to reinvigorate our political dialogue to make our relations more comprehensive and diversified.
A bit later, on 10 August 2021 – the first for many years telephone conversation between Foreign Ministers of our countries took place.It helped to identify the priorities of bilateral agenda as well as to deepen mutual trust and understanding between our countries.
During the telephone call Foreign Ministers exchanged invitations to pay mutual visits. It means they recognized that there is an untapped potential of our trade and economic cooperation, political dialogue, science, education and people to people contacts.
Its high time to start bridging the gaps and I am sure that we are able to do that shortly. We are working hard and consistently to restore our high level political dialogue. There are a number of options and proposals under consideration right now.
In this regard, we appreciate the decision of the President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi to extend invitation to the President of Ukraine Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyi to pay a visit to Pakistan.The invitation has been accepted by the Ukrainian side.
It’s terms and modalities are thoroughly being considered as both sides need to fill a visit with really tangible and substantial content. Let’s diplomats work in silence and prepare some positive surprises for the public.
Q- Bilateral Cooperation is mainly in military sector. That is why Pakistan appoints military officers as ambassadors to Ukraine. What are the prospects of enhancing the cooperation and trade in other fields?
A- Pakistan is an important economic partner for Ukraine in the region of South Asia, as well as Ukraine is a key partner for Pakistan in some trade areas.
For example, at the peak of the so called “wheat flour crisis” in Pakistan in 2020, Ukrainian traders covered two-thirds of the grain deficit, exporting more than 1.2 million tons of wheat to your country.
So Ukraine has proved to be a world-level guarantor of food security for Pakistan.This year Ukraine has harvested a record grain crop and is ready to increase wheat exports to Pakistan.
We take a keen interest in deepening trade and economic cooperation with your country, which, in fact, follows a steady positive dynamics.
The total volume of trade in goods and services between our countries in 2020 exceeded the figure for 2019 by 288 percent amounted to 415,334 million USD. In the first 8 months of 2021, Ukraine-Pakistan trade continued to grow dynamically.
Ukrainian exports increased by 132% and amounted to 210,629 million USD. Pakistani exports to Ukraine increased by 24% to 66,092 million USD.
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a promising market for Ukrainian exporters in such areas as cereals, vegetable oil, meat and dairy products, equipment for the processing and construction industries, mineral fertilizers, metals, energy equipment etc.
In my humble opinion, the promising areas of our cooperation also include:
– construction and modernization of irrigation systems and hydro-technical installations, supply of different types of pipes and equipment for pipelines;
– development of road infrastructure (construction of highways, bridges, reconstruction of roads etc.);
– development railway networks, supply of railway cars and equipment;
– development and operation of mineral deposits;
– development of renewable energy projects, construction and modernization of electric power facilities, in particular, power plants built in Pakistan with participation of Ukrainian enterprises during the soviets period;
– cooperation in the agro-industrial sphere, including development facilities for storage and processing of agricultural products etc.
The further comprehensive development of bilateral relations could be facilitated by the Joint Ukrainian-Pakistani Commission on Economic Cooperation. We are working to arrange its inaugural meeting next year.
In order to expand and explore our opportunities we encourage an exchange of the business-missions from Pakistan to Ukraine and vice versa. Due to facilitation of the Embassy, business-delegations of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce as well as Sialkot and Rahim Yar Khan Chambers of Commerce and Industry visited Ukraine recently.
Q- What is the latest status of Crimea Issue with Russian Federation? How much helpful have been EU and USA so far in this connection?
A- Over seven consecutive years since 20 February 2014 Ukraine has been fighting against Russian military aggression.
I would like to emphasize that there is no domestic internal conflict in Ukraine.
We have faced with modern hybrid war, which Russian Federation is waging against our country.
As a result of Russia’s invasion some parts of the sovereign territory of Ukraine including the Crimean peninsula and certain territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – in total over 44 000 square km are under temporary Russian occupation.
Over 15 000 people both militaries and civilians were killed, over 30 000 injured, about 2 million of Ukrainians became refugees and IDPs.
Russian military aggression against Ukraine was a rude violation of fundamental norms and principles of international law, as well as the UN Charter and a number of bilateral and multilateral agreements.
In response to the aggression international political and economic sanctions – both personal and sectoral – have been imposed on Russia by many countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Canada, EU, Japan, Australia, Norwey and others.
No single democratic country in the world has recognized that Crimea belongs to Russia. However, Moscow insists that Crimea is Russian territory and keeps transforming the Peninsula into its military outpost in the region.
In order to consolidate an international support for the de-occupation of the Crimea, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Ukrainian Government have set up a new international coordination format named “The Crimean Platform”.The Inaugural Summit of the Crimean Platform took place on 23 August 2021 in Kyiv. 46 international delegations participated in the event and adopted its final Declaration supporting sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. It is open for signing by any country.
At the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded about it and called on the UN member states to join the Crimean declaration, condemning Russia’s occupation of Crimea. We hope that our appeal will be considered in all countries of the world including Pakistan.
Last weeks some intelligence and media reports – both international and Ukrainian – indicated a buildup of Russian armed forces on the Ukrainian borders and their preparations for a rapid, large-scale intervention into Ukraine from multiple locations.
It has also been discussed on a number of scenarios that Russian military troops would cross into Ukraine from the Crimea, the Russian border and via Belarus, with 100 battalion tactical groups amounting around 100,000 soldiers.
Nobody is aware if it happens, nobody says that the large war is certain. But the probability of a new Russian intervention into Ukraine has been assessed as high.
International coalition in support of Ukraine`s efforts to counter Russian aggression remains strong and further strengthens. Many democratic countries have warned Russia not to unleash a large scale war against Ukraine. Otherwise new toughest sanctions may follow.
Many democratic countries provide us political and military support, including supplying of weapons, sharing of intelligence data and consulting assistance.
In this regard I would like to emphasize that Ukraine is not going to escalate war or provoke any kind of instability in the region.Ukraine has always searched for a diplomatic, peaceful resolution of the conflict in line with international law.But we must be prepared to protect our lives, families and homes in case of a new military aggression.In reality we have no other choice as to use our right for self defense.
Q- Ukraine was about to join EU what we learnt some two years ago. What is the latest position of EU in this regard?
A- Freedom, democracy, human rights, security, rule of law and welfare based on market economy are the fundamentals of European values and beliefs.The EU has become an ultimate incarnation of the European dream and remains non-alternative association for the democratic European states.Ukraine is firmly adhered to European values as aspired by the European dream.
The EU and NATO Memberships remain our strategic goals, which are reflected in the Constitution and legislation. But membership of a new state in mentioned organisations depends on full consensus between the member states. There is no full consensus regarding Ukraine at the moment.
We understand that it might take some time to reach it.But we strongly believe that one day in short term historical perspective it will happen.
In the meantime, according to the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU we are developing our political and economic cooperation, converging economic policy, legislation, and regulations across a broad range of areas.
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area has allowed us to restructure our foreign trade and increase the share of the European market. Millions of Ukrainian citizens have taken advantage of the visa free regime with the EU.
Ukraine is moving fast forward in deep integration into the sectoral policies of the EU and made substantial progress in gaining the four European freedoms – the free movement of goods, services, capitals, and people.
The EU countries have recognised our success on this way, encouraged and support us, and we are definitely getting closer and closer to the formal EU membership.
Q- What is Ukraine’s experience on controlling COVID-19? How both countries can share their experiences in this regard?
A- As for the pandemic issue, Ukraine and Pakistan are on the same page now. Ukraine, like Pakistan, adopted the “adaptive quarantine” strategy, which responded well and turned to be quite effective.
Ukraine still follows the practice of providing different restrictions, as per the zones, depending on situation with Coronavirus pandemic in the regions. By now, we have 18 regions in “red zone”, including the capital city Kyiv.According to data provided by the Ministry of Health, The number of new COVID-19 cases in Ukraine has declined over the past weeks.
Interesting to note: yesterday, November 23, 2021 a center for vaccination against COVID-19 was opened in the Ar-Rahma Mosque in Kyiv. The center will be open daily from 9 am to 4 pm. Vaccines will be available here for all volunteers from the age of 18, as well as for teenagers, 12+.
The vaccination drive against COVID-19 in Ukraine is supported by representatives of various confessions. By their own example, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Sviatoslav, and the Archimandrite of the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery (Orthodox Church of Ukraine) Lavrentiy have already called on the faithful to join the vaccination.
Tazeen Akhtar + Mustafa Khan – Pictures Raja Fareed
