Celebration of this particular day has become especially significant for our country since we started to live in daily struggle for protection of integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and preservation of our independence and our right to self-determination as well.

It has been almost 5 years since Ukrainian people strongly voiced a vision of their future as part of Europe and raised against those who tried to limit their constitutional right to freedom of choice. Almost 5 years ago Ukrainians went to the central square of the capital of Ukraine which is known as Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) to protect their dignity, rights and freedoms. They had to struggle for their future.

This event has finally determined the path of Ukraine based on democratic values. The day when Ukrainians made their choice for national interests of our country was set as the Day of Dignity and Freedom and is annually celebrated on November 21.

Unfortunately, not everyone was able to respect a national policy of independent and sovereign country. So, until now Ukraine is still in   undeclared war against Russian aggression which poses great threat to the global order, erodes international law and undermines European and global security.

Since 2014 we stood to the challenge, defended our country and implemented radical reforms that touched all spheres of our lives. We are thankful to all our international partners and, in particular Jordan, for their support during these difficult times.

In view of Ukrainian continuous struggle against external aggressor this year became especially significant by decision of the Holy and Sacred Synod in Istanbul to grant the Autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine. It means that after more than 330 years of being under Russian patriarchy Ukrainian Church is finally back to Constantinople Patriarchate and will gain its long-awaited independence from the influence of the church of the aggressor country. Two days ago Ukraine and Ecumenical Patriarchate signed historic agreement to establish independent Ukrainian Church.

On this day 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 Parliament for their strong and consistent support to Ukraine in the United Nations Security Council and on the international arena.

All these years Ukraine and Jordan have been reliable partners who developed multifaceted cooperation for the benefits of our people in economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. We hope that this cooperation will continue in future.

We have very deep roots for people’s diplomacy. Today about 5 thousand Ukrainian citizens live in Jordan and feel its hospitality. They have managed to create a strong and united community represented by the cultural society and organization “The Ukrainian House in Jordan” whose activists are present at this celebration and they have performed Ukrainian and Jordanian national anthems and other songs.

I’d like to take this opportunity to remind Ukrainian citizens that in 2019 Presidential and Parliamentary elections will be held in Ukraine. So, please make sure that you are registered with Ukrainian Consulate and don’t forget that you vote not only for the candidates but for the future of our country as well.

I want to extend my deepest appreciation to all of our friends who have gathered with us tonight for the great contributions to promoting Ukrainian-Jordanian Friendship, creating positive Ukrainian image in the Kingdom and encouraging further cooperation.

And now let me invite to this stage a brilliant Jordanian opera singer Ms. Zeina Barhoum to give her the Grand-prix of International competition “Taras Shevchenko Unites the Nations” for her amazing performance of the song “The Mighty Dnieper” for the first time in the history in Arabic language in Lviv National Philharmonic Hall on 2nd of February 2017.

As well I would like to express a special gratitude and give a Certificate of Merit to Mr. Mohammad Annab for his outstanding contribution to enhancement of cultural ties between our countries when in 2013 being Vice Mayor of Amman he responded on our request and initiated the process of naming the street, which Ukrainian Embassy is located on, after famous Ukrainian writer and artist Taras Shevchenko.

And finally, I would like to thank and inaugurate by the Certificate of Merit a famous Jordanian writer, historian and journalist Mr. Omar Armouti for his invaluable efforts which led to edition of the first book about establishment an history of relationships between Ukraine and Jordan under the title “Important stages of Jordanian Ukrainian relations” in 3 languages (Arabic, Ukrainian and English). We will organize an official presentation of this book in close future and invite all of you.

I will not be taking more of your time and I invite you to taste Ukrainian food: Borsch, Varenyky, Holubci and others.

I suggest raising our glasses for peaceful future of our friendly people.

Long Live Ukrainian-Jordanian friendship!

Слава Україні і Йорданії!

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