Remarks by Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe, on the occasion of the Farewell Lunch for His Excellency Mykhailo Skuratovskyi, Ambassador of Ukraine, 11 August 2006, Union Buildings, Pretoria

Your Excellency, Ambassador Skuratovskyi
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Dr Abdullah Abdussalam Alzubeidi
Excellencies
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentleman

Thank you for joining me here today to bid farewell to His Excellency, Ambassador Skuratovkyi and his wife, Tetiana. Ambassador Skuratovskyi has been with us for just over two years. As you know Ambassador, relations between our two countries date as far back as late 19th century. Your countries support for liberation movements from South Africa and elsewhere in the continent meant that with the end of apartheid in sight our formal bilateral relations were established in 1992. We were keen to build new relations founded on our common desire to create a just and equal world.

Since then, there have been a number of significant bilateral high level exchanges with particular focus in the areas of arts and culture, science and technology, defense, correctional services, safety and security and finance, amongst others.

Both our countries have also undergone dramatic social and political transformations during this time and have much to learn from each other.

As a keen observer of the structure and workings of our parliament and legislative processes, you will no doubt have found some parallels in terms of the challenges that such transformations present. These parallels can assist both our countries as we build our respective nations. I do hope that the interactions that you have had with our parliament and executive have been interesting and I am sure they will be mutually beneficial.

Through our diplomatic ties we will continue to foster the unity and prosperity of our peoples and we are encouraged that Ukraine views South Africa as a strategic partner on the continent.

South Africa as you know thus deliberately developed its foreign policy with the ideals of an African Renaissance and the Agenda of the South, as prominent pillars. We have done so not only because we share common goals with Africa and the South, but because we recognise that in a globalised world we need a common holistic framework that will address the challenges of all the citizens of the world.

The relative importance of South Africa and the Ukraine in our respective regions imposes on us the responsibility to continue to nurture our bilateral relations, strengthen our trilateral co-operation as well as increase co-operate at multilateral forums.

Your Excellency, having served as a permanent representative of Ukraine at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland and in this capacity played a role in the promotion of the multilateralism and the multilateral organisations which we believe are so important in creating a just and equal world. We are encouraged by the fact that the Ukraine shares similar views with us with regards to UN reform in general and Security Council enlargement in particular -to be more representative of the world as it is today.

As a multilateralist, you have ensured that throughout your tenure in South Africa, the Ukrainian Embassy has consistently worked towards building stronger relations with our country on a multilateral platform. We must therefore use our common positions on world affairs such as the decision to undertake voluntary nuclear disarmament. As you are aware, we strongly believe in the view that, there is a need first and foremost, for a global effort to tackle poverty and underdevelopment. While there is also a need for global efforts to address issues of disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, there is an equally urgent need to ensure that the development agenda that affects nations of the South remains a high priority. Our common stance on these positions gives us the responsibility to speak openly and directly about these matters in the creation of a just and equal world.

We also wish to congratulate you on your country's election to the Human Rights Council of the United Nations along with South Africa amongst other. As you are aware, South Africa's freedom is attributed to one of the biggest human rights campaign ever waged, namely, the fight against apartheid. We must therefore as partners ensure that the newly established Council is not merely old wine in new bottles, but reflects a real shift in promoting a world in which human rights are promoted and protected. Our continued partnership on such forums will serve as a stepping stone in strengthening our shared common views on matters of international concern and together continue to strive for a world that is fair and just for all.

Your Excellency, as you and Mrs Skuratovskyi leave South Africa, I would like to wish you all the best in your future endeavours and will assure you a warm welcome if you wish to return in the future.

Your Excellencies ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses with me I toast to Ambassador and Mrs. Skuratovskyi.