Ukraine taps Pohoreltzev as new consul general for New York

by Andrew Nynka

NEW YORK - Ukraine has appointed acting Consul General Serhiy Pohoreltzev to the position of consul general for New York. Consul Pohoreltzev emphasized during a June 14 meeting with the Ukrainian press that his main focus will be on "the realization of Ukraine's foreign policy and political course as dictated by the president of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

"We will work toward expanding economic interests, humanitarian ties, sports and tourist issues, along with the work we're doing with the American diaspora," elaborated Consul Pohoreltzev.

Ukraine's Consulate General in New York, located at 240 E. 49th St., will keep in contact with the Ukrainian community both in Ukraine and here in the United States, keep the American public aware of issues relating to Ukraine, deal with documentation issues regarding visas for travel to Ukraine, as well as support Ukrainian citizens here in the United States, Mr. Pohoreltzev said.

Since December 1999 until his appointment as consul general on April 6, the 36-year-old Kyiv-born Mr. Pohoreltzev had been the acting Consul General.

From 1992 until 1999 Mr. Pohoreltzev served with Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the chief of the consular division at the Embassy of Ukraine in Argentina, then as the first secretary of the personnel department for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv and lastly in the visa policy and information section of the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv.

Mr. Pohoreltzev is confident that the consular offices will be able to help Ukrainian citizens and diaspora Ukrainians with their needs, citing his staff of five diplomats and nine administrative agents who serve there. "We will work to the maximum of our abilities to do what we need in helping those who come here with problems," he explained.

Since being based in New York, Mr. Pohoreltzev addressed the issue of The Cooper Union's plans to demap Taras Shevchenko Place saying: "We are not against putting in a park or public space, but the name of Taras Shevchenko Place must stay. We've mentioned this to Kyiv and they stand behind us 100 percent."

The consul general added that his office has been discussing the matter with New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani and said he has officially "pressed the issue."

"We are very interested in keeping touch with the various diaspora media outlets, and we intend to use them to the best of our abilities in order to keep the public informed of what we're doing," said Mr. Pohoreltzev.

The consul general stressed that he is appreciative of the strong foundation of Ukrainian heritage in the United States and feels comfortable working with the diaspora in order to achieve the goals of the Consulate.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 24, 2001, No. 25, Vol. LXIX

| Home Page |