FOR THE RECORD: Remarks by Ukraine's new envoy to U.S. and President Bill Clinton (02/13/00)

FOR THE RECORD

Remarks by Ukraine's new envoy to U.S. and President Bill Clinton

Ukraine's new ambassador to the United States, Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, presented his credentials to President Bill Clinton on February 3 at a ceremony at the White House. Printed below are remarks by Ambassador Gryshchenko, followed by President Clinton's reply. The texts were released by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. [Editor's note: According to the Embassy of Ukraine, the new ambassador, whose last name is pronounced Hryschenko, spells his name Gryshchenko, as it appears on his passport.]

AMBASSADOR GRYSHCHENKO: Mr. President, on behalf of the president of Ukraine, His Excellency Mr. Leonid Kuchma, I have a great honor to present to you my letter of credence as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States of America and the letter of recall of my predecessor.

On behalf of the president of Ukraine, His Excellency Mr. Leonid Kuchma, I would like to convey to you and the American people the best wishes of peace and prosperity in the new millennium.

Mr. President, it is a great honor and immense responsibility to represent Ukraine in the United States of America - a genuine leader of a democratic world.

Our countries enter the 21st century as close friends and partners. These cordial and partner-like relations have been developing over the years of ever intensifying dialogue and cooperation, and we are proud that both countries managed to have built a reliable mechanism of strategic partnership that withstood trial by time.

A newly born democracy, Ukraine nevertheless has strong democratic traditions, and now is pursuing economic, social and administrative reforms, as well as continues dedicated efforts to strengthen the rule of law and combat corruption. The people of Ukraine are committed to the highest standards of democratic governance, protection of human rights and freedoms. In foreign policy European and Euro-Atlantic integration remains our priority goal.

These aspirations the Ukrainian people have clearly demonstrated during the presidential elections held in November 1999, giving the president unquestionable mandate for decisive action. Today Ukraine has a prime minister and a new government with well-established reformist credentials, who are willing and ready to exert all efforts to successfully complete the process of transition. In this difficult and painful process of systemic transformation Ukraine also relies on the understanding and continuing support of our strategic partner - the United States of America.

Mr. President, as ambassador of Ukraine to the United States of America, I will spare no efforts to develop friendly Ukrainian-American relations, cooperation and genuine strategic partnership between our nations, and I rely on your support in accomplishing my mission.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT CLINTON: Mr. Ambassador, I am pleased to accept your letter of credence from President Kuchma, which establishes you as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States of America, and I acknowledge the letter of recall of your distinguished predecessor. Thank you for your greetings on behalf of the president, the government and the people of Ukraine. I extend a warm welcome to you and your family on your arrival in Washington.

Ukraine is a partner and friend to the United States and key to building a secure and undivided Europe. The United States promotes Ukraine's development as a stable, independent, democratic, market-oriented and prosperous state, with good relations with its neighbors and strong links to the West.

In this spirit of friendship and strategic partnership, Ukraine has been a top priority for me and the U.S. government from the early days of my first term. Since that time, Ukraine has taken many important steps that have contributed in fundamental ways to the stability and security of its region. I saw it for myself when I visited your beautiful country. You can be proud of what you have achieved.

Since independence, Ukraine has made much progress toward a democratic society and market economy. Now the ground has been prepared for further progress, based on President Kuchma's clear mandate for far-reaching economic reform and his appointment of a strong reformer as prime minister. As Ukraine moves along the path of reform, it will continue to find the United States at its side. We support your aspirations to integrate into European and Euro-Atlantic structures. Continued progress on economic and political reform will create the basis for this integration, as it does for future accession of Ukraine to the WTO. [World Trade Organization].

We also support Ukraine's efforts to strengthen and develop its close cooperation with NATO and the Partnership for Peace program. While serving in Brussels, you, Mr. Ambassador, played an important role in making our distinctive partnership a reality. We are proud and pleased that, with significant U.S. assistance, Ukrainian and American soldiers are serving side by side to keep the peace in Kosovo.

The United States has provided Ukraine almost $2 billion in assistance over the last decade. Our focus has been on nuclear threat reduction and on tackling another major post-Cold War challenge, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. I know, Mr. Ambassador, that you take a keen personal interest in these matters of crucial importance for our common security, and we look forward to your continued cooperation.

Another main focus of our support for Ukraine is democratic institution-building. This year, we plan to double our most important exchange programs in order to help educate and train the next generation of Ukraine's leaders. The new "Next Generation Initiative" will, over the next year, result in a significant increase in the number of students, policymakers and other young leaders coming to the United States for practical and academic programs. This will enhance the linkages between individuals, businesses, and institutions and communities in the United States and Ukraine.

Mr. Ambassador, you and I know that our people look at their daily lives, not at political promises, to judge for themselves whether they and their country are on the right track to a bright future. The new Ukrainian government which you represent here in Washington has a unique opportunity to intensify Ukraine's integration with the successful market democracies of the Euro-Atlantic community, and thereby to ensure a brighter future for its people. With a new mandate for reform, this is a defining moment in Ukraine's history. The transformation of your country into a fully stable and democratic European state can be a model for others throughout the region. I encourage your government to press ahead in this direction and to achieve early, tangible progress on reform. As you do so, please be assured that the United States stands ready to extend whatever assistance we can to continue to help our partner and friend Ukraine move down the path to success.

I again congratulate and welcome you.

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