Your Excellencies,
Dear Friends and Distinguished Guests,
I am glad to welcome you at our reception marking the 25th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence.
A quarter century ago Ukraine chose its future by adopting the most important document in its contemporary history – the Declaration of Independence. President Poroshenko said in his speech on August 24 that “Declaring independence became an expected outcome of our historic development, a joint victory won by multiple generations of Ukrainians, who fought and died for our national identity, state independence and own colour on the world’s political map”.
Therefore a lot of things were to be done in the following years: raising new political elite, rebuilding national economy and integrating with the international community to name a few. We succeeded in various spheres but also witnessed numerous challenges.
Today Ukraine is a modern country which produces from high-tech products to agriculture: biggest airplanes, missiles, military equipment. Ukraine will soon return its name of European and world’s agricultural bowl.
2014 became a major test for our nation and statehood. Two years ago bleeding Ukraine faced undeclared open and hybrid war from Russia – a country which most of our citizens had considered our brother. We stopped the blatant aggression with bravery and resolve of our army and people and with the invaluable support of our partners and allies worldwide. Russia must go home and leave us in peace.
There is still a lot of challenges ahead of us. But against the background of unprecedented external shocks, we achieved macroeconomic stabilization and restored economic growth. The external threat accelerated the process of contemporary Ukrainian political nation building on the basis of civic patriotism. Ukrainian-speaking and Russian-speaking citizens as well as the citizens speaking other languages firmly uphold the position of Ukrainian patriotism.
Excellencies,
I would also like to extend our deepest appreciation to the people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Majesty King Abdallah II, Jordanian Government and National Assembly for their strong and consistent support to Ukraine. I also want to congratulate her Majesty Queen Rania on the occasion of her birthday.
I want to personally thank Mayor of Amman Akel Biltaji for his invaluable support and assistance in promoting Ukrainian culture in Jordan. Just 5 days ago he visited Ukraine, met with Ukrainian officials and received one of the highest decorations – Order of Merit of the second degree. Prime-Minister Hani Mulki and Vice-Prime-Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Nasser Judeh were also awarded with such Orders in 2011 and His Majesty King Abdullah II is the Commander of the Order of Merit of the First Degree.
All these 25 years Ukraine and Jordan have been reliable partners who developed multifaceted cooperation for the benefits of our people in economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. I am confident that this cooperation will continue in future.
I want to also introduce to you ensemble of folk instruments from Ternopil Philharmonic Hall "Veseli Halychany" its leader Myroslav Babchuk and Mr. Zinoviy Girnyak from Ternopil Administration who brought this ensemble to Jordan. They already performed at the Roman Theatre, tomorrow they will perform at the Dead Sea and on Friday in Madaba.
I suggest raising our glasses for peaceful future of our friendly people.
Long Live Ukrainian-Jordanian friendship!