Ukraine

Meeting with former Ukraine President Leonid Kuchma
3nd July 2010

Leonid Danylovych Kuchma (Ukrainian: Леонід Данилович Кучма, born 9 August 1938) was the second President of independent Ukraine from 19 July 1994 to 23 January 2005. Kuchma took office after winning the 1994 presidential election against his rival, incumbent Leonid Kravchuk. Kuchma won re-election for an additional five-year term in 1999. On his watch the Ukrainian economy continued to decline until 1999, whereas growth was recorded since 2000, bringing relative prosperity to some segments of urban residents. During his presidency, Ukrainian-Russian ties began to improve. After a successful career in the machine-building industry of the Soviet Union, Kuchma began his political career in 1990, when he was elected to the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian parliament); he was re-elected in 1994. He served as Ukrainian Prime Minister between October 1992 and September 1993. Since July 2014, Kuchma has been the representative of Ukraine on the semi-official peace talks regarding the ongoing War in Donbass.

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Visit to Antonov Aeronautical Scientific Complex
2nd July 2010

Visit to Antonov Aeronautical Scientific/Technical Complex

ANTONOV – unsurpassed capabilities in aircraft building
Advanced ideas and technologies are especially needed in our dynamic time. Namely such a product ANTONOV Company named after its founder, Oleg Antonov, offers for the world market.
Our enterprise built more than 22,000 units of more than one hundred types and modifications of passenger, transport and special-purpose aircraft. Cargo giants “Ruslan” and “Mriya”, being a visit card of the Company are the special pride of aviation designers. They set up 270 world records. As a total, ANTONOV aircraft set up more than 500 records.All airplanes of “ANTONOV”. All ANTONOV aircraft.
Our enterprise, existing about 70 years, is one of several enterprises having the whole cycle of creation of modern aircraft – from pre-project scientific researches to construction, tests, certification, serial production and after-sale maintenance.
Specific of the branch makes special demands on forming personnel and ANTONOV has a right to be proud with its main asset – a high professional staff. More than 13,500 people work at the enterprise today. Among them there are representatives of 198 professions and specialities, the full staff of designers and scientists working in 35 scientific directions including such rare one as aerodynamics and strengthen of aircraft, mechanics, hydraulics, heat engineering, avionics, material science. Real masters of their work are engaged at all stages of the development of aircraft.
The main subdivisions of ANTONOV Company are:
– experimental design bureau on projecting, perspective and experimental researches, certification, support of serial production and operation;
– experimental production facilities engaged in manufacturing of experimental aircraft;
– flight test and development base intended to carry out flight tests, development and certification of the aircraft as well as for training of flight and technical personnel;
– devisions of the leading specialists on the programmes.
Besides, ANTONOV Company includes aviation transport subdivision – ANTONOV AIRLINES, national aviation carrier, which delivers different cargoes worldwide and ANTONOV Serial Plant producing serially ANTONOV airplanes.
All this complex allows embodying designers’ ideas in real aircraft. Thus, competitive production, including designs enters a market. This gives to our partners a possibility to develop and modernize their own aviation production.
We appreciate our cooperation in many partners in 78 countries and are always glad to have new possibilities for cooperation development.

This unique transport air lifter was designed and constructed during 1984-1988.
The aircraft has been created to perform the following missions:
transportation of the wide-range of cargo (large-sized, heavy, long-size) with total weight up to 250 t.;
intercontinental non-stop airlift of cargoes weighting 180−200 t;
intercontinental airlift of cargoes with weight up to 150 t;
transportation of a heavy large-size single pieces with weight up to 200 t on the external store.
Mriya had to become the first stage of the system of the aerial launch of a space ship, flying cosmodrome, from which a space shuttle with a tank having total mass of 170 t had to start to the orbit. Initially, the main task of the AN-225 was transportation of various parts of Energiya carrier-rocket and Buran space ship, which had been manufactured at the enterprises of central regions of the USSR, and final assembly should have been performed at Baikonour. Projected length of some of them reached 60 meters and diameter – 8 meters. Range of transportation was 1500-2500 km. Besides, depending to mission, performed on the orbit, Bouran could land on different airdromes. From there it was necessary to deliver it again to Baikonour, to the place of previous launch.
Mriya with Buran on its external store performed 14 flights with total duration of 28 hours and 27 minutes. They had been performed from the airfields located in various climatic zones of the USSR: in Gostomel, Akhtoubinsk, Baikonour, Borispol, Vnukovo, Yelizovo, Ramenskoye, Chkalovskaya, Khabarovsk. However, after collapse of the USSR, financing of Energiya-Bouran programme was terminated and the project stopped.
In 2000, modernization of the AN-225 was started. The aim was use of the airplane for transportation of commercial cargoes. The decision had been taken due to many applications sent to Antonov Airlines for transportation of cargoes heavier than the AN-124-100 Ruslan’s payload. Than Mriya passed certification tests and on May 23, 2001, Aviation Register of Interstate Aviation Committee (AR IAC) and Ukraviatrans issued type certificates to the AN-225. Since that till present, the airplane has been performing commercial transportations in the fleet of Antonov Airlines, transport subdivision of ANTONOV Company.
The aircraft has the spacious cargo compartment with length of 43,32 m, width of 6.4 m and height of 4.4 m, that allows carrying a variety of cargoes inside. For instance,
sixteen standard aeronautical containers of UAC−10 type;
50 cars;
single piece of cargoes up to 200 t (turbines, generators, dump trucks − Belaz, Kamatsu, Euclid, etc.).
The cargo compartment is pressurized that extends the aircraft transport capabilities. The airborne cargo handling equipment and also the design of the forward cargo door with a ramp ensure the quick and easy loading/unloading operations. The aircraft is capable to transport the unique cargoes outside the fuselage which dimensions do not allow to place them at the other land-base vehicles and aircraft. There is an appropriate load security system to attach these cargoes to the fuselage.
Mriya has set up 240 world records including transportation of the heaviest cargo with mass of 253 tons, the heaviest single peace of cargo with mass of 186,7 t as well as the longest cargo having length of 42,1 m. But the main thing is that Mriya serves people reliably. The airplane repeatedly participated in humanitarian operations. Thus in October, 2009 the AN-225 performed several flights on delivery generators to Samoa. They were necessary for renewal of work of Satala electric station damaged by tsunami. Only spacious cabin of the AN-225 could accommodate ten 12-tons generators at once. Each of them was as large as 6-meters container. Felise Kaisia, representative of the Centre on extraordinary situation of interior troops of Samoa, said: “Generators were fully destroyed by the waves, that is why electric station in the centre of Satala which supplies energy to all eastern coast had been stopped. By this reason namely delivery of new generators in the shortest terms was so necessary”.
In February 2010, Mriya transported large-size construction machinery (bulldozers, trucks, tractors, loaders) for liquidation of aftermath of earthquake on Haiti. Cargo weighing 108 tons was delivered from Tokyo (Japan) to Santo-Domingo (Dominican Republic) by order of government of Japan, and after it by ground – to Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. They chose Mriya taking into account necessity of urgent delivery. Its spacious cabin only could contain such a large cargo.
On March 25, 2011, the AN-225 Mriya delivered to Japan humanitarian cargoes, generators and technique with total mass of 140 t. The AN-225 landed in Narita airport (Tokyo). The flight had been performed by order of French government.
Researches on use of the AN-225 as the first stage of a space complex for commercial launches of the useful cargoes into space is in progress. One of the most advanced projects is the MAKS joint Russian/Ukrainian multipurpose aerospace system. It foresees delivery of the 8.5-10 tons of useful load in a piloted version and 18-19 tons in unmanned version to the orbit.
In 2009 works on the extension of the aircraft life time up to 25 years as well as on upgrading avionic and other equipment were performed.

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Special reception hosted by Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga
2nd July 2010

A Reception and Dinner were held at Hotel Intercontinental from 20.00-23.00 hrs, and H.E. the President was welcomed by Ambassador Weeratunga. Hon. Mykhailo Yezhel Minister of Defence of Ukraine was invited and present at the dinner. The Foreign Minister, Prof G.L. Peiris, addressed the invitees on the bilateral relations between the Sri Lanka and Ukraine. He mentioned that Sri Lanka defeated and eliminated the LTTE terrorism after 30 years. Foreign Minister also mentioned that despite its involvement in operations which eliminated terrorism, the government of H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa has carried out major infrastructure development projects in Sri Lanka. He invited the Ukaraine investors to Sri Lanka to take advantage of the abundant opportunities available in the existing peaceful climate of Sri Lanka.
Many companies, individuals were presented with awards for their contributions to the improvement of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the Ukaraine, the economy of Sri Lanka and to education as follows: Bilateral Relations – third Territorial Department of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Education – Lugansk State Medical University. Technical Cooperation- Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant, Konotov State Aircraft Repair Plant, UKRINMASH. Sri Lanka Tea Industry – RISTON TEAS, HYSON TEAS, JAFFERJEE BROTHERS, REGENCY TEAS, AKBAR TEAS, AHMAD TEA, BATIK TEA. Sri Lanka Tourism Industry – AIR ARABIA.
The companies which were awarded for their contribution to the Tourism and Tea industries in Sri Lanka are leaders in the respective industries. The Dinner was followed by a cultural performance by the group of Sri Lanka Air Force. The invitees were also presented with gifts by JAF, Riston tea. “Rajatha Dekma” photo exhibition was also held alongside the Reception.

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Sri lanka cultural show at House of Ukraine
1st July 2010

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the House of Ukraine at 18.30hrs as the Chief Guest of the “Sri Lankan Cultural Show” which was organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation. The Cultural Show took place at the Main Hall of the House of Ukraine. H.E. the President and the First Lady were received by Head of the Shevchenkovski District Kiev, Mr. Pillipishin Viktor and conducted to the Photo Exhibition “Rajatha Dekma” organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka and Mr. Sudath Silva. 150 photos were exhibited. A after the opening of the Photo Exhibition, H.E. the President was escorted to the Main Hall by Pillipishin. The Cultural Show commenced with the welcome address by Prof G.L. Peiris, Foreign Minister. H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga, Ambassador was launch “Leadership” book the biography of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa which is published by Udayanga Weeratunga in Russian language. The pleasure of presenting a copy to everyone of you gathered here in the hall. The speech of H.E. the President was simultaneously translated to Russian. The Cultural Show which followed showcased a variety of traditional Sri Lankan dances and performances by a group of Sri Lanka Air Force. A traditional Ukaraine dance was performed by the Ukaraine students. Approximately 600 participated at this event including around 50 Sri Lankan. Foreign Minister, Hon. Hon. (Prof) G.L. Peiris, Member of Parliament, Mr. Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, Member of the Southern Provincial Council, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, Mr. Romesh Jayasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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The National Defense University of Ukraine
1st July 2010

During the visit a Special Ceremony to receive President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been organized by the National Defence University of Ukraine with the assistance of the Ukraine Ministry of Defence on 01st of July. This event saw the participation of over 725 High level Military personnel of Ukraine including the Minister of Defence of Ukraine and Heads of Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the event, President Rajapaksa delivered a special address on the strategies of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and the Humanitarian operation in eliminating the LTTE terrorism from Sri Lanka. The President also took the opportunity to thank the Ukraine Government for the cooperation extended to the Sri Lanka Armed Forces in safeguarding the innocent civilians from the atrocities of the LTTE terrorists. President Rajapaksa further said that the experience of Sri Lanka in defeating terrorism was an example to other countries faced with challenges posed by terrorism. He attributed the reasons for the victory to the great humanism displayed by the country’s security forces. President Rajapaksa also expressed his gratitude to the Ukrainian Government for the assistance extended to his country’s fight against terrorism.
In March 1992 the Conception of the new educational establishment was developed – the educational establishment of the Academy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Conception was presented to the Commission on Reforming of Military Education and Science of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Its approval marked the beginning of the Academy’s creation and it has become an important step in the sphere of state and military development of the independent Ukraine.
The Academy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was created on the basis of the Military Anti-Air-Defense Academy of the Army according to the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine # 490 dated from 19 August 1992 “On Reforming of the Military Education System”.
The Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers # 394 dated from 16 March 1999 transformed the Academy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine into the Defense Academy of Ukraine.
On the 14th of April 1999 the Defense Academy of Ukraine received the status of National and was renamed into National Defense Academy of Ukraine according to the Decree of the President of Ukraine #377/99.
According to the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine #1086 dated from 17 December 2008 “On reorganization of the National Defense Academy of Ukraine” the National Defense Academy of Ukraine was transformed into the National Defense University of Ukraine.
According to the Decree of the President of Ukraine #№1217/2008 dated from 30 December 2008 “On National Defense University of Ukraine” the University preserved its National status and its name – National Defense University of Ukraine.

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Meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine Hon. Mykola Azarov
1st July 2010

President Rajapaksa had the opportunity to meet Mykola Azarov, the Prime Minister of Ukraine during the visit on 01st of July. Ukraine has expressed interest to extend space technology to Sri Lanka, during that meeting. The Prime Minister stated that at present, Ukraine has a space technology exchange programme with Brazil and in the future Sri Lanka too will be involved. President Rajapaksa pointed out that Sri Lanka has a high level of knowledge in Information Technology and with the acquisition of space technology, it would be further enhanced. In addition, President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Azarov discussed on business visits to both countries in the future and exchange of scholarship programmes which would further enhance relations. President Rajapaksa during his meeting with Prime Minister Azarov thanked the latter for his successful visit to Ukraine. While speaking of the beauty of Ukraine President Rajapaksa said that Kiev is a city within a garden. He expressed appreciation to the Ukraine President for providing an opportunity to visit a city of such beauty.

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Sri Lanka-Ukraine Business Forum at Chamber of Commerce
30th June, 2010

An important event of the visit of President Rajapaksa to Ukraine was the Sri Lanka Ukraine Business Forum on 30th of June. This event which was successfully held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Yanukovich as chief guests was organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation. Sri Lanka was represented at this event by Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tea Board, and Export Development Board of Sri Lanka while leading businessmen of Sri Lanka and representatives of leading Ukraine businesses participated. Sri Lanka Tea enjoys a big market in Ukraine.
President Rajapaksa, in addressing the audience at the Business Forum extended a special invitation to the Ukrainian Businessmen and industrialists to invest in Sri Lanka and spoke at length on the various facilities already available and that would be available for such investments. While speaking of the vision for the development of Sri Lanka’s future as well as strengthening Sri Lanka economically as a result of the realization of the expectation for developing a national economy capable of ensuring social justice and human development, President Rajapaksa explained that Sri Lanka’s ability to achieve the current 7% economic growth was also due to these economic policies of the government of Sri Lanka.
While mentioning that Sri Lanka was strategically positioned in a very important location on the world map, as in the case of Ukraine between Europe and the Russian Federation, President Rajapaksa said that there would be more opportunities for joint projects where both parties could work together in the development of economic and commercial relations between our countries.
President Rajapaksa invited the Ukraine business community to visit Sri Lanka in the near future as Sri Lanka is regarded at present to be among the best countries for investment in the world.

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Official Welcoming Ceremony at administration of President of Ukraine
30th June, 2010

The second day marked the highest point of the visit when President Mahinada Rajapaksa met with H.E. Viktor Yanukovych the President of the Republic of Ukraine. President Rajapaksa was escorted to the official residence of the President of the Republic of Ukraine with a Guarded Motorcade. Upon arrival in front of the palace, the Ukrainian leader warmly welcomed President Rajapaksa opening the door of the car of the Sri Lankan leader. National songs of both the countries were sung after which the two leaders inspected the special military parade conducted by the Ukraine defense forces in honor of the visiting head of the state.
The leading Ukrainian officials were introduced to the Sri Lankan President by the Ukraine President while President Rajapaksa introduced the Sri Lankan delegation to the Ukraine leader. The two leaders held one to one discussions at the official residence. Matters relating politics, economy and culture were keenly discussed. The President also briefed the HE Yanukovych on the developments in Sri Lanka including the massive development drive and the process of resettlement in the North and East. President Yanukovych reiterated his countries unconditional support towards Sri Lanka in every frontier.
During the bilateral talks agreement was reached especially on Ukraine’s support to develop the areas which were affected by the LTTE terrorism during the last few decades and for oil exploration in Sri Lanka. Further President Rajapaksa was successful in arriving at an agreement with President Viktor Yanukovich for obtaining Ukraine’s assistance in building Hydro Electric Power Stations in Sri Lanka.
Details of the new facilities and opportunities available for Sri Lankan students to study in Ukraine were provided by the Ukraine government and we were informed that for the first time Scholarships could be offered for Sri Lankan students to study at medical schools in Ukraine. During these discussions agreement was also reached to assist in repairing aviation and military equipments of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and to provide training opportunities for military officials of Sri Lanka in Ukraine.
Several bilateral Agreements were signed between Sri Lanka and Ukraine during the visit. The Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Tourism. The Agreement in the Field of Military and Technical Cooperation and the Agreement on Mutual Protection of Classified Information.
Both presidents while appreciating the rapid increase in the percentage of Ukraine tourists’ arrival in Sri Lanka stressed the importance of promoting in our countries the cultural aspects of Ukraine and Sri Lanka during the years 2011/2012. Further, it was discussed for a special delegation to visit Sri Lanka in the near future to study new projects in the Tourism industry in Sri Lanka and to initiate flights between Kiev, the capital of Ukraine and Colombo. President Yanukovich gave immediate instructions to the Minister of Transport of Ukraine to take necessary steps towards this process. I believe that the Air flights between Sri Lanka and Ukraine will commence in the very near future in fulfillment of these discussions.
Ukraine expressed interest to provide troller boats and deep freezers that are necessary to increase the productivity of Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry while it was agreed between the parties to further develop the economic relations between Sri Lanka and Ukraine. As a result, an Agreement is expected to be signed between our countries on Maritime Merchant Shipping in the near future.

Brief History of Sri Lanka Ukraine relations
The diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Ukraine goes back to the establishment of formal relations between Sri Lanka and the former USSR in 1955. Sri Lanka has maintained diplomatic relations with Ukraine during the period of USSR (since Ukraine represented itself as an independent country in the multinational organizations). Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was a founder member of UN and an elected member of UN Security Council, in 1948-1949 just after the Second World War. After the dissolution of the USSR, Sri Lanka entered into an agreement with Ukraine “Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Ukraine” in 1993 leading to establishment of formal bilateral relations between the two countries. On the 12th of February 1993, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka recognized the Independence of Ukraine with the simultaneous establishment of the diplomatic relations. Bilateral relations between the two countries have been very cordial and an excellent relationship has been maintained between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka.

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Ceremony at the Park of Glory-Lit oil lamps at the monument
30th June, 2010

Morning 30th June the President of Sri Lanka visited the Park of Glory and laied a wreath on a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier & Holodomor Memorial in the city of Kiev. The Sri Lankan Leader was welcomed to the Park of Glory by the Mayor of the city of Kiev. The President honored the fallen heroes of the Republic of Ukraine by laying a wreath at the foot of the monument.
Park Slavi, or the Park of Glory, is located on the intersection of Sichnevogo Povstaniya Street, Suvorova Street and Dmitrievsky Slope. The park is dedicated to the memory of those heroes who died defending Kiev and Ukrainian lands.
In 1957 the obelisk of glory was put up in the park to commemorate the feat of arms of Kiev defenders. The 27 meters high granite obelisk was constructed by sculptors Miletskii, Baklanov and Novikov on the Grave of the Unknown Solder to mark the communal burial place of the war victims. The eternal flame on the grave symbolizes that the Slavic people will never forget heroism of the fallen solders. A wide alley leads to the obelisk and creates a solemn impression, which combines grief for the war victims and pride for the people’s heroism. On the sides of the alley there are 34 graves of those who died for their motherland. Among them is the commander of Kiev defense, colonel-general Mikhail Kirponos, national Yugoslavia hero, aviation major-general Andrey Vitruk, first-sergeant Nikiphor Sholudenko and others. Sholudenko was the first one to drive his tank to Kiev center to liberate the city in November, 1943. The heroes’ burial places, the communal Grave of Unknown Solder and the obelisk are the places where thousands of people annually come and bring flowers on the Victory Day, the ninth of May. Behind the obelisk of glory there is a sight area offering a splendid view on the left bank of the Dnepr River, Kievo-Pecherskaya lavra ensemble and old Kiev temples. In the park there are numerous picturesque alleys and paths for nice walking. The historians believe that the place where nowadays the green park Slavi is situated used to be the village Berestovo, where Kiev prince Vladimir, the one who baptized Rus, had a summer residence with 200 concubines.
Park Slavi is a nice place for a family rest: it offers quietness and calmness, pleasant corners, curved paths and historical monuments.

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Ukrainian girls welcomed the President and the First Lady
29th June, 2010

We all need to learn the main lesson of his difficult and arduous journey of service to the nation – the power of the people in its unity! Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to the people of his national pride, and now all Sri Lankans can say “We one People, one Nation!”
The visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Ukraine concluded from 29th June to 03rd July, 2010. That this visit was the first by a Sri Lankan Head of State while also being the second visit by a world leader to Ukraine since the inauguration of Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovich should easily explain the significance of the visit to both Sri Lanka and Ukraine. Keeping in line with the new foreign policy of Sri Lanka, the official delegation led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris held detailed bilateral talks with Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovich.
Welcomed by Hon. Kostyantyn Gryshchenko- Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Mr. Leonid Chernovetskyi -Mayor of Kiev. At the foot of the aircraft steps, 3 Ukrainian girls present Bread & salt to the President. Also 2 Ukrainian girls present flowers to the Madam Rajapaksa. H.E. the President walk on the Red carpet and later Head of the Presidential Secretariat will introduce Ukrainian officials and Ambassador Weeratunga introduce Sri Lanka Embassy officials.
The members of the Sri Lanka delegation consisted of the following : Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka, Hon. (Prof). G.L. Peiris, Hon. Sajin De Vass Gunawardena, Member of Parliament, Secretary to the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Gamini Senerath, Secretary of External Affairs, Mr. Romesh Jayasinghe

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