Ukrainian Ambassador to Pakistan Volodymyr Lakomov has said that Pakistan was a reliable friend of Ukraine.
Therefore, the relationships of both the countries, especially in the fields of trade and economy as well as in technological and cultural exchanges will be significantly enhanced and advanced in the near future, said a press release here Friday.
He said this at the occasion of special lecture delivered by Dr Olena Bordilovska, renowned academician and specialist in foreign relations and history from Ukraine at Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).
Dr Olena Bordilovska earlier presented an outlook of peace and security related challenges that were being face by Ukraine through her lecture ‘Foreign Policy of Ukraine: the main principles and current challenges’.
She said that Ukraine had to go through tremendous problems that included a halt of economic growth and slowing down of its trade besides loss of thousands of lives due to unwarranted Russian aggression and annexing of Crimea.
The Ukrainian academician and expert on foreign policy added further that her country believed in peaceful neighborhood but unfortunately, faced aggression and has been involved in territorial dispute.
Therefore, Ukraine was compelled to rebuild its armed forces. Dr Olena Bordilovska added that Ukraine was looking for strengthening its European identity and hence, found European Union and NATO as reliable partners for its development as well as to respond to its security related concerns.
She said that Ukraine wanted to establish good relations with Russia on the basis of mutual cooperation and partnership as ‘equal partner’ but its goodwill has not been reciprocated by Russian authorities.
While mentioning about Pak-Ukraine relations, she said that there were many avenues where mutual cooperation could be enhanced and strengthened including trade, investment, defense technology and education.
SDPI Deputy Executive Director Dr Vaqar Ahmad on the occasion said that the public and private sectors of Pakistan should explore opportunities to enhance exports to Ukraine. He said that Pakistan has a lot of potential especially in value added garments and leather and both had a large demand in Ukraine.
He said that Ukraine has already started English speaking degree programmes and thus it has become an attractive destination for Pakistani students.
Former ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel shared his views with the participants and said that Pakistan wanted to see revival of peace in Ukraine and hope that its disputes with neighbouring countries would be resolved peacefully.