The First Report of the Ambassador

　It has been six months since I was assigned in late October, 2014. In May the streets of Kyiv finally became green. After my initial appointment, the primary goals of the Embassy were to develop an accurate analysis of the situation in Ukraine, to gain the understanding and awareness of the Ukrainian people concerning Japan’s contribution of the process of peaceful resolution of the conflict, cooperation with the Ukrainian government in order to help Ukraine become a rich country and support the reform process, as well as Japan’s assistance, the amount of which is the largest of any country.
　Here, I would like to summarize the past six months of working here in Ukraine and the results of the above-mentioned areas:

　1. Dialogues with Ukrainian Leaders

　My first efforts in this new position were directed towards establishing a dialogue with Ukrainian leaders. Fortunately, with the help of a mutual friend, I had the opportunity to talk with the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mr. Arseniy Yatsenyuk for more than three hours in April. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Mr. Pavlo Klimkim has visited my residence twice for a dinner, breaking the customs of the Ministry. The First Lady of Ukraine Mrs. Maryna Poroshenko is interested in Japan’s grant aid program Kusanone. We have met twice already and will soon visit the sites where Kusanone projects were implemented. At the end of last year I and my wife had an opportunity to meet with the Presidential couple, the President of Ukraine Mr. Petro Poroshenko expressed his gratitude for Japan’s warm assistance to Ukraine. Additionally, I have held numerous meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Hennadii Zubko, Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Arsen Avakov, Minister of Finance Ms. Natalie Jaresko, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mr. Aivaras Abromavicius, and other members of the Cabinet. I also had an opportunity to meet and have a long discussion on diplomatic issues with the Deputy Head of Presidential Administration Mr. Valeriy Chaly. Furthermore, Parliamentary Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan Mr. Shigeki Iwai, and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Yasumasa Nagamine visited Ukraine. In March 2015, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mr. Pavlo Klimkin made his first official visit to Japan, which was also the Minister’s first visit to Asia. In Japan, Mr. Pavlo Klimkin met with the Prime Minister Mr.Shinzo Abe, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Fumio Kishida, and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Mr. Yoichi Miyazawa.

2. Japan’s Assistance

　After the Maidan events last year, Japan has pledged the allocation of assistance to Ukraine in the amount of USD 1.84 billion (around JPY 200 billion), which is the largest contribution among countries. The project for reconstruction of Bortnychi station of aeration, provision of hybrid vehicles to support the police reform, allocation of USD 400 million as a part of financial assistance, as well as grant aid program Kusanone are highly regarded in Ukraine. Furthermore, Japan provides support for democratization and anti-corruption measures through the seminars of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The dispatch of Japanese experts to the Ukrainian Government in the near future is also being considered. While addressing Japan’s assistance to Ukraine I would also like to mention that the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mr. Arseniy Yatsenyuk told me that “Japan is one of the three most important countries Ukraine is relying on the most”.
　In order to deepen the understanding and awareness of Ukrainian people concerning Japan’s assistance to Ukraine, I have given numerous interviews on television, newspapers and magazines. I visited the eastern regions of Ukraine, namely Slovyansk, Kramatorsk and Kharkiv where I also answered questions of local journalists. Moreover, I conducted various signing and handover ceremonies of Japan-funded assistance projects with the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Gennadii Zubko, Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Arsen Avakov and others; due to their presence a broader coverage of Japan’s assistance was achieved in the press.

3. Reform efforts in Ukraine

　After achieving independence in 1991, while being agriculturally and industrially rich, Ukraine was said to be the country with the largest potential for development among other post-Soviet and Eastern European countries. Unfortunately, post-development of the country did not meet these expectations. I am often told about the spread of corruption in the government and monopolization of resources by a small number of people (the problem of oligarchy). But I would like to mention that at the moment Ukraine is seriously engaged in the implementation of internal reforms in order to strengthen the country against the background of the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, as well as its activities aimed at destabilization of the eastern regions of Ukraine. For example, after almost complete dismissal of the traffic police, which is often described as a hot-bed of corruption, the recruitment process was conducted with the use of a transparent testing system and relevant trainings are now being carried out. In addition, laws aiming to reduce the influence of oligarchs are being passed and excessive subsidies are being cut to ensure financial stability. Some of these changes will be an additional burden for the people of Ukraine, however they are showing readiness to bear any difficulties.

4. The situation in eastern Ukraine and Crimea

　I am often asked when the situation in Crimea and eastern Ukraine will stabilize. In September last year and in March this year, agreements aimed at stabilizing the situation, at least in the east of Ukraine (the Minsk peace agreement), were concluded by Ukraine, Russia and other interested parties, and now Japan, the USA, Germany, France and other European countries are making every effort possible to ensure the compliance of the above-mentioned agreements. I would like to stress that the international community is united in its efforts towards solving the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
　I would also like to mention that Ukraine being the largest country in Europe, except for Russia, remains peaceful and a stable country in most of its territory, excluding only Crimea and eastern regions.

5. Possibilities for companies' business activities

　As a matter of fact, Ukraine is now struggling to achieve stability, and there were several restrictions introduced in the economic sphere in order to stabilize the exchange rate and financial situation in the country. However, I believe that with Ukraine’s cheap yet skilled labor force it has a good chance in becoming a rich country if the implementation of domestic reforms in which the country is actively engaged continues. The level of safety and security in Kyiv and most of Ukraine, except for the eastern regions, is comparable to any European city. Ukraine has great tourist potential. There are beautiful opera houses in all major cities starting with the capital, and the level of the operas and ballets is also very high. Each region takes pride in its long history, as well as numerous cultural monuments, churches, and parks. The Embassy of Japan maintains close ties with the Ukrainian government. Responding to the requests from companies, I have spoken directly to Ukrainian Ministers concerning the policy review, so any company seeking to invest or do business in Ukraine may contact the Embassy of Japan and receive all the support possible.

 

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine
Shigeki Sumi
(May 2015)