Kuchma expected to open new Embassy building in London (09/28/97)

Kuchma expected to open new Embassy building in London

by Tony Leliw
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

LONDON - President Leonid Kuchma is expected to officially open the new Ukrainian Embassy building here early next year. It will be his second trip to Britain.

Speaking exclusively to The Ukrainian Weekly, Ukraine's Ambassador Serhii Komissarenko said: "At the beginning of next year we are expecting the president to visit the United Kingdom to participate in the European Union (EU) summit and to take the opportunity to inaugurate our new Embassy building."

Mr. Komissarenko had hoped the Embassy would he ready for the sixth independence anniversary last month, but this had been delayed due to building work.

The new Embassy in Holland Park was bought with funds provided by the president during his previous trip to Britain in December 1995. The current Embassy building on Kensington Park Road, which was donated by the Federation of Ukrainians in Great Britain, will be used as a consulate and trade mission once the move has been made.

Mr. Komissarenko said that much had been achieved since Ukraine celebrated its last independence anniversary. Last year a Constitution was adopted, a national currency (the hryvnia) was introduced and a new government that is much more pro-reform was put in place.

Ukraine has also signed a partnership charter with NATO as well as treaties with Russia, Belarus and Romania.

Last May saw a new government in Britain, after the Labor Party won a landslide victory over the Conservatives. Ambassador Komissarenko said that, despite the change in government, it is business as usual. "During the last year of independence the attitude of Great Britain to Ukraine changed from being positively reluctant to very positive. Britain is now one of our closest allies. We want this positive attitude to develop into a strategic partnership."

He added, "From next January, the United Kingdom will be chairing the EU and G-7, so we have to use this opportunity to get as close to Europe as possible."

Mr. Komissarenko has already met with the new British prime minister, Tony Blair, and said he has formed a favorable impression. "I liked him. He's young, active, enthusiastic and very positive towards Ukraine," the ambassador noted.

This month's visit to Ukraine by the British Defense Secretary George Robertson will add impetus to British-Ukrainian relations, as will a trip by the British Foreign Secretary Roger Cook before the end of the year.

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