Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses Ukrainian community in Paris (06/26/05)

Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses Ukrainian community in Paris

by Danylo Peleschuk

PARIS - As a part of her first working visit to France, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko visited the Ukrainian community in Paris on June 13. Ms. Tymoshenko appeared at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Catholic Church, situated at 49-51 Rue des St. Pères in Paris.

Along with several members of her entourage, Prime Minister Tymoshenko set out on a diplomatic tour across Europe, seeking to strengthen economic relations between Ukraine and several other crucial European countries.

Ms. Tymoshenko spoke to an excited crowd inside the church during the afternoon hours. Upon entering through the open side area of the church known as Taras Shevchenko Square, she greeted a crowd of local Ukrainian dignitaries as the Church choir sang a heartfelt rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem. The welcoming crowd in the square included an assembly of young children, whose ages ranged from 5 to 11, clad in traditional Ukrainian embroidery.

Prime Minister Tymoshenko's entrance provoked a wave of booming applause as the crowd, which had gathered inside earlier in the day, rose to their feet to graciously welcome their guest of honor.

Once the commotion had settled, Bishop Michael Hrynchyshyn, apostolic exarch for Ukrainian Catholics in France, greeted the anxious crowd and delivered a personal welcome to Ms. Tymoshenko, reminding her that "God has granted [her] a truly difficult task," and assured her that the Ukrainian community in Paris completely supports the cause for democracy in Ukraine.

Following Bishop Hrynchyshyn's message, Volodymyr Mykolenko, director of the Representative Committee for the Ukrainian Community of Paris, extended a warm welcome to Ms. Tymoshenko, and read a rather comprehensive history of the Ukrainian community in France. According to Mr. Mykolenko, Paris is currently home to nearly 50 percent of the Ukrainians in France. Out of the 50,000 Ukrainians throughout the entire country, approximately 20,000 reside in or around the city. Mr. Mykolenko noted that the prime minister's visit marked a historically significant point in time for the Ukrainian community in the area.

As Ms. Tymoshenko took the stage, she began speaking about the events of the Orange Revolution, and expressed her feelings of gratitude to all who supported the monumental event in Ukrainian history. "Never for a single second," she assured the crowd, "did I ever believe that the revolution would not be worthwhile." She emphasized the importance of rebuilding an "honest Ukraine, day by day, year by year."

In relation to the most recent and, perhaps, most important topic of political discussion, Ms. Tymoshenko spoke about the process by which Ukraine plans to assert itself as a crucial member of the European Union. Although Ukraine's membership in the EU remains uncertain, Prime Minister Tymoshenko stated that she seeks to establish politically and financially crucial relationships with the economic leaders of several European nations. Ms. Tymoshenko added that she plans to negotiate better trade agreements between Ukraine and other countries.

She also delivered a personal message to the Ukrainians in Paris. Ms. Tymoshenko began speaking about the need for more jobs in Ukraine, and vowed to do whatever is necessary to attract native Ukrainians to return home. In appealing to Ukrainians to return to their homeland, Ms. Tymoshenko stated that she wants to "find the keys to [their] hearts and free them, so that we may welcome you back home to Ukraine."

After her speech, Ms. Tymoshenko presented St. Vladimir's Church with an ornate icon, and posed for photos with the local Ukrainian dignitaries in attendance. Also during this time, the floor was opened for questions to Ms. Tymoshenko. The questions were submitted ahead of time by members of the parish, and were selected by parish leaders for the open forum-style session.

Following the questions, Prime Minister Tymoshenko was presented with gifts from a variety of diaspora groups, ranging from the Ukrainian Catholic Exarchate to the Ukrainian Women's League.

As the presentations concluded, Vice Prime Minister for Humanitarian and Social Issues Mykola Tomenko, who appeared with Ms. Tymoshenko during the visit to Paris, spoke briefly and announced his gratitude to the Ukrainian community in Paris for their continuing support of the new democratic government.

Ms. Tymoshenko was then led back out through Taras Shevchenko Square, where her security outfit struggled to break through the crowd that had gathered outside the church, along Rue de St. Germain.

While in France on June 12-14 Ms. Tymoshenko met with French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and President Jacques Chirac. According to Reuters, the intergovernmental meetings took place on June 13 at Hotel Matignon in Paris, and cooperation agreements were signed by the three political leaders.

During her trip to France, Ms. Tymoshenko also attended the Le Bourget International Aerospace Show.

An extraordinary amount of French media coverage surrounded Prime Minister Tymoshenko's visit, which acted as a precursor to President Viktor Yushchenko's official visit which began on June 22.

| Home Page |