Fashion of Diplomacy #6 ENG

Ukrainian culture is the prestige of the state

YEVHEN NYSHCHUK Minister of Culture of Ukraine

A F R O M C E E

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EDITOR’S WORD: We are already six months old. Monthly, we publish a new issue of the “Fashion of Diplomacy” magazine.

Being half a year old, children are already showing their temper, they can crawl and some of them start sitting up. It is a great achievement for them. And your attention is the achievement for us, dear readers, friends and partners.

During this time we have managed to readjust logistics and distribution of the magazine, gone on sale in retail network. We have also organized an international round table “The Results of the First Quarter Century of Independence” and launched a charity project “Evening with the Star”, the aid was directed to Puhachiv orphanage. We have become coorganizers and official partners of international forums...

But without you, our dears, the story would be completely different.

Thank you for your trust and I sincerely wish everyone to lead the charge!

Believe in yourself, in your entourage, in your potential!

Sincerely Yours, Editor-in-Chief of “Fashion of Diplomacy” Anna Avramenko

«Fashion of Diplomacy» №6 Editor-in-Chief — Anna Avramenko Chairman of the Supervisory Council – Iryna Reznik The number was realized by: Ihor Skrypnyk, Alina Arkhipova, Nataliya Zatyshna, Kateryna Zhmud and Artem Shulga Literary editor — Natalia Germanovich Translation into English — Aksinia Sinko Photographer — Yevhenii Zatyshny Photomaterials provided: Additional photo materials are provided by: Google source, www.freepik.com, www.thenounproject.com Concerning advertising, please, call +38 /044/ 228 06 48; +38 /094/ 828 06 48 Editorial adress: prosp. Stepana Bandery, 6, office 605, Kyiv info@fashion-diplomacy.com www.fashion-diplomacy.com Publisher — LLC «AMEDIA COMPANY» Printed in LLC «Univest Marketing» Company Circulation — 5 000 copies Certificate of State Registration of the print media KV № 22712-12612Р as of May 30, 2017 The editorial board of the magazine is not responsible for the stylistics and reliability of the information contained in the promotional materials.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

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YEVHEN PERELYHIN — DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BILATERAL ECONOMIC PROJECTS BETWEEN UKRAINE AND ITALY “MADE WITH ITALY. MADE IN UKRAINE».

SERGEY GAYDAYCHUK — CREATION OF NEW BUSINESS ELITE IN UKRAINE.

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ANATOLII SOLOVEI — DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL DIPLOMACY IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOLS OF EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION.

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YEVHEN NYSHCHUK — UKRAINIAN CULTURE TODAY IS THE PRESTIGE OF THE STATE AND THE PRIDE OF THE UKRAINIANS. THE SECTOR HAS RECEIVED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN FUNDING.

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NATALIIA MYKOLSKA — THE EUROPEAN UNION IS OUR RELIABLE TRADING PARTNER. OSTAP STUPKA — THE THEATRE CAN SHOW THE WORLD ANOTHER UKRAINE.

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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

«UKRAINIAN BELGIUM» OR «THE TENTH BELGIAN PROVINCE» The first Belgian enterprises appeared in the territory of Ukraine in the 1880s, and these were horsedrawn trams in Odesa (1880) and Kharkiv (1883). And in total, 7 Belgian companies, which worked in the tramway business, started their activity in the Empire in 1894.

The rapid growth of Belgian companies took place in 1895–1901, when their number increased to 117. In 1901, the Belgians occupied the first place in the number of foreign companies operating in the Empire (the total number was 209). Out of the 117 Belgian companies, 60 were operating in Ukraine, others in the Empire (without Ukraine).

Also, after 1890, the total amount of Belgian investment in Ukraine at least equaled (and sometimes significantly exceeded) all the investments into the vast Russian Empire.

In 1900, Belgium was the first and largest foreign investor in the Empire with an investment volume of 831 million gold francs. It was followed by France (692 million), Germany (162 million) and Great Britain (236 million). That is, Rental department of the Russian Providence plant in Mariupol (now — Public Limited Company Mariupol Iron and Steel Works named after Ilyich)

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the very small Kingdom of Belgium gave 41% of all investments of the “Big Four”. Belgian investments reached the most distant corners of the huge Empire. But their interest was concentrated in the Prydniprovsky-Donetsk region in Ukraine, where they made a huge contribution to modernizing the economy and developing the region that is now South-Eastern Ukraine (former Katerynoslav Governorate).

There were 48 Belgian joint stock companies in Katerynoslav Governorate. The largest of the companies was the gigantic South-Russian Dnipro Metallurgical Society. Created by two powerful industrial corporations — the Lilpop, Rau and Loevenstein, situated in Poland, and the John Cockerill Company, situated in Seraing, Belgium. These are also the association of the Russian Chaudoir pipe-rolling factories, which built three factories in Katerynoslav, the RussianBelgian Metallurgical Society (Yenakiieve city) and also “Liubimov and К0” Joint Stock Company in soda production, and others.

The scope of distribution of Belgian companies in the Ukrainian economy was broad, but the most important objects of their activities were ore mining and smelting, metal-processing and machine-building industry, coal mining and coke production, as well as urban transport and construction. The share of these industries accounted for more than 70% of the share capital of Belgian companies. In urban transport, construction and glass, as well as in the chemical industry, they were monopolists. And this is not by accident. At that time, Belgium was the foremost economic and industrial state of Europe, ranked first in the density of railways and second in coal mining, steel and iron production.

The Dnipro Metallurgic Society of the Southern Russia is a symbol of the Belgian industrial development.

It was founded in the year 1886. The founders were — Belgian Industrial Company Kokkeril (90 % of the funds), Industrial Group of Warsaw Lilpop, Rau and Levenstein, (10 %), Dniprovsky plant, 1889, village of Kamyanske, District of Katerynoslav, Governorate of Katerynoslav (nowadays — Dniprovsky Metallurgic Plant, town of Dneprodzerjinsk, Dnipropetrovsk region).

I. Yasukovytch — the director of the Dniprovsky plant (1888–1914), the head of the Directorate of the Share Holding Company (1903–1914).

Blast furnaces of the Dniprovsky plant

Steel teeming at the Bessemer department of the Dniprovsky plant

Kadiyivka Plant PRDMT

The club of the plant

UKRAINE BELGIUM: THE HISTORY OF THE COOPERATION, THE END OF THE 19TH THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY

The general view of the store house and of the overload crane

The territory of the Dniprovsky plant

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND “Worthy of astonishment, with what persistent perseverance, with what understanding of all the importance of the correctness of the calculation of what the preparation costs will become at any kind of fabrication, every Belgian systematically finds new affairs,” wrote the Belgian engineer, I. Izar, at that time.

It was the search for new business that brought Belgian entrepreneurs to Ukraine, where the discovery of significant coal and iron strata promised significant profits and the rapid development of industry. In search of new affairs, the Belgians headed eastward, to Ukraine. “... Foreigners are going to Russia with huge capital! The Belgians are already the main hosts in the South of Russia. The only conversations have been heard recently, particularly pressing hard on the Belgians, pointing out that the best mines and iron works are in their hands throughout the Dnipro region. On the train you can only hear: ore, coal, pitting, prospecting, the Belgians ...” — the well-known journalist, Volodymyr Giliarovsky, wrote in the “Iron Fever” article during the visit to Katerynoslav region in 1899.

The documentary evidence of this story is the museum collection of securities donated by the museum patron Dmytro Pirkl in the amount of 210 items. 110 shares and bonds of which are of the Belgian Societies — mining and metallurgical, machine building, mechanical, producing metal products, construction, chemical, glass and ceramic materials, urban transport (trams). Brussels, Marchienne au Pont, Liege, Sale, Zhulii, Couvin, La Louviere (Wallonia) Verkhniodniprovsk Metallurgical Plant.

Yekaterynoslav governorate

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were the location of the Administrations and the cities of the creation of joint stock companies and the registration of the Statutes. Among the founders of the Belgian societies were socalled “industrialists” — directors of industrial or transport companies, engineers who had already got their industrial companies in Belgium — Cockerill, Solvay, Lamber and others. In 1897, 576 Belgian citizens worked in the Governorate.

These were engineers, craftsmen, managers and skilled workers, members of their families, doctors and teachers. After 1897, the number of Belgian subjects in the Empire was increasing by 2000 annually.

The Belgian consulates acted in Katerynoslav (General), Kharkiv, Berdiansk, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odessa, Mariupol and Sevastopol. Professional diplomats worked there. Katerynoslav region was called “Russian Belgium”. Donetsk Basin — “The Tenth Belgian Province”, and Katerynoslav and Mariupol — “Window to Europe”.

Geography of Ukrainian enterprises is the most diverse. These are Katerynoslav (Dnipro), Kamianske, Kryvy Rih, Verkhniodneprovsk, Luhansk, Yenakiieve, Mariupol, Uspensk, Konstiantynivka, Horlivka, Debaltsevo, Torez, Kramatorsk and others. Many enterprises, which were established in the 1880s–1890s, have been operating in Ukraine until today.

Valentyna Lazebnyk, Head of History of Ukraine of XIV-early XX Centuries Department of the Dnipropetrovsk National Historical Museum named after D.I. Yavornytsky

Russian-Belgian Metallurgic Society. The year of the foundation – 1895. The founders were Belgian entrepreneurs O.N. Orban, O. Byye and Russian engineers F.E. Yenakiiev and B.A. Yalovytskyy. The Head of Directorate of the Company was the citizen of the Belgium O. Byye. Petrovsky plant, 1897, village of Yenakiieve, district of Bakhmut, Governorate of Katerynoslav. The manager was citizen of Belgium, Engineer Y.E. Poitier (nowadays — PJSC Yenakiievskiy Metallurgic Plant, town of Yenakiieve, region of Donetsk).

Yenakiiev F.E. (1852–1915) — the engineer, one of the founders of the Russian – Belgian Society.

The photo of the monument of the Loran Kabe from the mechanic shop workers, 1917

Kurako M.K. (1872–1920) — the metallurgist, the founder of the training college for the blast-furnaces.

The production of the plant – rolling stock.

The actors of the theatre Malorosy (The Ukrainians) — the workers and the employees of the plant. 1910.

Yenakiieve Station

UKRAINE BELGIUM: THE HISTORY OF THE COOPERATION, THE END OF THE 19TH THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY

The workers of the steam-powered shop of the Petrovsky plant. The farewell to the taskmaster Artus. 1917.

NEWS

CANADA. ONE MORE STEP TO VISA-FREE REGIME

The Minister of Canadian Immigration, Ahmed Hussein, informed about what Ukraine should exactly do to get closer to the visa-free regime with Canada during a speech in the Parliament of his country.

“We closely cooperate with Ukraine. I met the Ambassador of Ukraine. I continue to actively explain to them (the Ukrainians — Ed.) what should be done in order to advance visa issues“ — replied Mr. Hussein to the question of Canadian parliamentarians regarding the expediency of introducing a visa-free regime with Ukraine. He also emphasized that the Government of Canada “highly values its relations with Ukraine.”

Also, the Minister noted the following: “...

The decisions regarding visa policy are made on the basis of general assessment of the benefits and risks. We came to the conclusion that Ukraine, like any other country, should provide reliable documents for travelling, effectively monitor borders and cooperate with the international community concerning migration and security issues to the full extent.”

Editorial staff

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BILATERAL COOPERATION On October 20, 2017, Ukrainian-Polish consultations regarding activity of the UN Security Council took place in Kyiv. The Ukrainian delegation was headed by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Serhiy Kyslytsia, and the Polish one was headed by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Yoanna Vronetska. During the consultations, a wide range of issues on the agenda of the UN Security Council was discussed. The Ukrainian side emphasized the willingness to constructive cooperation during the nonpermanent membership of the Republic of Poland in the Security Council, which will begin on January 1, 2018, and also expressed readiness to share its own experience of membership in the Security Council for 2016-2017. The parties agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation within the UN and to continue consultations on the entire spectrum of the agenda of the Organization.

Editorial staff

NEWS

THE TENSION IS NOT GOING DOWN NATO is ready to approve the creation of two new command structures against the backdrop of strained relations with Russia. This is reported by the US media, as referred to officials who are familiar with the case. The new command structures are aimed at improving the logistics of the allies and the protection of supply lines and are aimed at overcoming the weaknesses in any potential conflict with Russia. According to the publication, the Defense Ministers of the Alliance will review the new command structure at the meeting in November. Their recommendations will contain the reference to the need to ensure faster removing of people and equipment. The activity of one of the new structures will be devoted to this. Another structure will focus on the Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean and the protection of sea routes, which are critical for supply to Europe, from the enemy submarines.

NATO has not decided yet how much money will be allocated to the new command.

Editorial staff

ORBAN RENDS THE AIR The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, has declared Central Europe the last place of the continent, which is “free from migrants”. Orban said this during a speech in Budapest, which was dedicated to the 61st anniversary of the anti-Soviet uprising in Hungary. Orban claimed that the unity of such countries as Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic can stop globalization and mass migration. According to the Hungarian Prime Minister, Europe needs to be “safe, honest, civic, Christian and free”, and to return to the greatness it had before becoming increasingly multicultural.

He repeated his traditional criticism of the European Union leadership and said that the external borders of Europe should be protected. Orban also accused the “speculative financial empire” of “intrusion” of migrants to Europe from 2015, evidently hinting at the Hungarian-American financier George Soros, who Budapest is constantly criticizing.

Editorial staff #6, November 2017

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NEWS

THE YOUTH FROM THE DIASPORA AND UKRAINE WILL UNDERGO A TRAINING AT THE VERKHOVNA RADA Forty young people from the Ukrainian diaspora and Ukraine will undergo a training in the Parliament from the 14th to 22nd of November.

They will also be able to get acquainted with the work of the central media of the country.

The project was initiated by the World Congress of Ukrainian Youth Organizations.

Participation in training is free of charge.

There will be 30 participants from the diaspora and 10 from Ukraine. They will unite in groups and work with lawmakers participating in the program. The most successful trainees will receive certificates. Within six months after returning to their countries, they will have to prepare presentations about Ukraine.

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— In that way Ukraine will receive volunteers abroad, who will represent the image of our country in the world. We will also have direct communication with these people and countries where they will come from and in parallel with reliable partners in different project activities, — says Anna Krysiuk, the coordinator of internship.

Editorial staff

29/11 ~2017~

38 Khreshchatyk Str. Kyiv

TSUM

ANALYTICS

In October, two quite remarkable events could not be left out of our experts’ attention. The first of them has an indirect relation to Ukraine, the second one — direct, but both are already affecting the internal and external political situation in and around our country. It is referred to the attempt of Catalonia to withdraw from Spain and the negative reaction of some of our neighbouring states to such seemingly purely internal Ukrainian legislative act, such as the Law of Ukraine on Education. So, about everything in turn.

Donbass in the Pyrenees The Catalan problem, eventually, is not something new for modern Spain, where, despite multiethnicity and multiculturalism, flavoured with broad autonomous rights of different regions, a clear mainstream line of undeclared, but existing domination of Castile and its capital,

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Madrid, over the rest of the country, is traced.

Such state of things again and again raised the indignation in the richest province of the Spanish Kingdom, that is, in Catalonia. At long last, this year’s attempt to challenge Madrid was almost most impudent in the last few centuries. On

ANALYTICS October 1, 2017, there was a referendum on the complete independence of the province in Catalonia. Madrid declared it illegal and was not afraid to use physical violence against those who organized the referendum and against those who participated in it. Although the European Union condemned the central Spanish authorities for certain redundancies — there were no corpses, but there were too many seriously traumatized supporters of Catalan independence - it explicitly let the politicians in Barcelona know that after withdrawing from Spain Catalonia automatically would not receive membership in the EU. Also, self-styled aspirations of the richest Spanish province were condemned by the actual host of the planet – the US President, Donald Trump.

After such a cold shower at the international level, the Catalan separatists were forced to calm their passions down, which in fact took the shackles off Madrid. The Spanish authorities abolished the autonomy of Catalonia, referring to the Spanish Constitution, which in fact translated the struggle for the independence of this region into a rally street plane with all possible negative consequences. It would seem that the events in Spain have nothing to do with Ukraine, but for the participation of the representatives of a number of Catalan nationalist parties in the so-called Crimean “Referendum” — 2014, which took place, in fact, after the occupation of the peninsula by the Russian Federation.

Also, the representatives of the so-called

“Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain,” in which many Catalans are, participated in an armed conflict in the East of Ukraine, fighting on the side of pro-Russian armed groups. In addition, the Catalan separatist movement is capable of provoking a chain reaction in Europe and provoking the collapse of the EU, which is extremely dangerous for Ukraine, given the deterioration of relations with our western neighbours, which will be discussed later, in the second part of our review. At the very least, the domestic Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed itself more than not ambiguously regarding the Catalan-Spanish confrontation. The spokesman of the domestic foreign policy office, Mariana Betsa, in particular, noted: “Ukraine considers the so-called referendum held by the Catalan authorities on October 1 illegitimate, because it was banned by the legislation of Spain and the Constitutional Court of Spain because of its inconsistency with the Constitution of the state and supports readiness of the Government of Spain to the political dialogue with parliamentary and political forces in order to restore the law and order within the framework of the constitutional field of the country”.* Editorial staff

*https://www.unian.ua/politics/2167324-ukrajina-vvajaenelegitimnim-referendum-pro-nezalejnist-kataloniji.html

Little Hungarian «happiness» The Law of Ukraine on Education, initiated and approved by the Verkhovna Rada and also signed by the President of Ukraine within the framework of the implementation of the domestic educational reform, actually, should not have caused any international resonance.

This is a purely internal legal document, which, in particular, should regulate the procedure for studying Ukrainian language by the representatives of national minorities. In particular, the Law stipulates that they will be taught in their native language in elementary school, and in the upper school - in Ukrainian.

It is this part of the Law that caused a series of

diplomatic demarches - starting with the refusal of the Romanian President to visit Ukraine, and ending with not hidden threats on the part of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The foreign policy office of the neighbouring country threatened to block further European integration of Ukraine. After a certain surprise and shock that was bound to have been caused by such an aggressive and hostile reaction from our neighbours and friends, the Ukrainian state and the Ukrainian political class went on a counteroffensive. This counteroffensive is difficult to call a successful one. Whereas the common ground was found with Romania and #6, November 2017

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ANALYTICS

Poland, Hungary continues to insist that the Ukrainian Law on Education is discriminatory.

The attempt of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine during his visit to Hungary in order to explain the position of Ukraine to his colleague was not successful. The attempt of the Minister of Education and one of the initiators of the mentioned Law Lilia Hrinevych to do the same during the conversation with her Hungarian counterpart was also not doomed to success.

Such Hungarian stubbornness, obviously, is welldirected. The majority of the domestic experts are inclined to believe that this neighbour’s obstinacy is being directed, in fact, from Moscow. The representatives of the domestic political class solidarize with them in a varying degree. In particular, the Vice-Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Iryna Herashchenko, stated that: “The aggressive statements of some representatives of the Hungarian and Romanian delegations can be regarded as concealed territorial claims to Ukraine and this is unacceptable”.**

political scientist, was even sharper in his statements — ” … We see hysterical reaction only in Hungary ... This is probably not due to the Law itself, but to the fact that Hungary has become the only country in Europe where Putin travelled over the past year. There, he was negotiating financing the construction of nuclear power plants — atomic power units at the NPP in Hungary... That is, perhaps, everything is preconditioned — this hysteria, not because of the language but money. That is, the Hungarians cannot directly say that they sold off to Putin and Russia ...”.***

Oleksandr Paliy, a well-known Ukrainian

***https://znaj.ua/politics/zakon-pro-osvitu-rozkryv-vsiputinski-konservy-v-yevropi

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Certainly, such a statement can be considered too sharp and not very diplomatic, but, unfortunately, diplomatic methods of impact on the neighboring and until quite recently friendly country are not effective as of yet...

Editorial staff **https://prm.ua/zayavi-ugorshhini-ta-rumuniyi-shhodozakonu-pro-osvitu-svidchat-pro-teritorialni-pretenziyi-ukrayinivitse-spiker-radi/

Creative Europe Ukraine National Bureau of Creative Europe Program in Ukraine: •

Promotion of the program at the national level among the Ukrainian CCI

•

Organization of trainings, information seminars, conferences for potential applicants

•

Providing of free consultations and technical support for Ukrainian players

•

Informing about alternative grant programs for the CCI

www.creativeeurope.in.ua

BEFORE RELEASE “WE MUST FIRST OF ALL RELY ON OUR OWN FORCES, BUILD, STRENGTHEN AND MAKE OUR UKRAINE MORE ATTRACTIVE ON THE BASIS OF COMMON EUROPEAN VALUES.”

Italy is a country that has become a global brand. Cooperation between Ukraine and Italy is gaining momentum in the transformation of the world-famous “Made in Italy” quality label into the development of new bilateral economic projects “Made with Italy. Made in Ukraine”.

The Ambassador of Ukraine to Italy, Yevhen Perelyhin, tells “Fashion of Diplomacy” about the implementation of joint projects.

BEFORE RELEASE

MADE WITH ITALY. MADE IN UKRAINE In one interview, you said that Ukrainian diplomats, along with their Italian counterparts, are working to transform the world-famous “Made in Italy” quality label into new “Made with Italy. Made in Ukraine” bilateral economic projects.

Do you have any success on this way?

Over the past two years, much of the time and effort has been focused by the Embassy on encouraging Italian business circles to expand their work with Ukraine. The key issue of this concept is to move away from ordinary bilateral trade with a focus on joint projects. That is why I am pleased to provide an affirmative answer to your question about the successes on this way. So, only this year a new plant of the Ukrainian-Italian “Guala Klehers” company for the production of food packaging was opened in Sumy. The Italians have invested in the project about 17 million euros and are not going to dwell on this. In addition, there are already two Ukrainian-Italian factories producing ready-made textile products (in the first place, Belmonte men’s shirts) in Transcarpathia, which are sold in the network of brand shops, which only in Italy have more than 40 boutiques. It is also worth mentioning “Taiko Electronics” in IvanoFrankivsk region, which is the supplier of wiring and convectors for “Fiat” and “VET AutoMotive Ukraine” from Transcarpathia, which produces seat heating systems for Ferrari. All these testify to the fact that Italian brands of the world-class already have a Ukrainian share or origin.

In 2011, the peak of export of Ukrainian goods to Italy was about 5 billion dollars for a year. We have twice as little now.

How to increase these indicators?

The figure of 5 billion USD relates not to our exports in 2011, but to the Ukrainian-Italian bilateral turnover of commodities as a whole.

According to this indicator, the worst year was 2015, when the volume of mutual trade in goods amounted to 3 billion USD. But in the wake of the same year 2016, Italy became the sixth trade partner of Ukraine among the countries of the world with a turnover of 3.3 billion USD and we

are working to bring this year closer to 4 billion.

All these testify to the fact that today it has been managed not only to stop the negative tendency of trade reduction, but also to break it and to move upwards over the past ten years. By the way, unlike other EU countries, trade with Italy is always characterized by a significant positive balance for Ukraine. Name me, please, at least one country of the EU or Group of Seven, with which Ukraine would have a positive balance of almost a billion USD! The main product group of our import from Italy consists of machines, mechanisms, devices and equipment.

Ukraine exports mainly raw materials and agricultural products to Italy. Why so? Are our products not competitive? How has Ukrainian export changed in recent years?

Regarding our export of raw materials and agricultural products to Italy, I would like Ukraine to export iPhones, Ferraris, Play Stations or Louis Vuittons to the world markets very much, but to have this there should be a corresponding structure of the national economy and production. Our export reflects the existing production system of the country.

Agriculture in recent years has become one of the key, dynamic, export-oriented sectors of the Ukrainian economy, and it would be surprising not to export Ukrainian grains or oil, which are known all over the world, to Italy. By the way, Ukraine has bypassed competitors, becoming the number 1 supplier of sunflower and rapeseed oil, corn and ground oil-cake in Italy.

Now, about your question and about the import of high-quality, competitively priced equipment and equipment from Italy. Yes, it is on this approach that we emphasize our work with Italian manufacturers. The increase in the importation of industrial equipment and technological lines is, among other things, an indication of the revival of our economy, the desire of Ukrainian enterprises to modernize enterprises to increase their productivity and efficiency, and this is clearly a positive signal.

Most Italian companies know the position of the #6, November 2017

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BEFORE RELEASE Embassy that we are primarily promoting the export of advanced technologies and equipment to Ukraine, which is why, in recent years, the share of these goods in Ukraine has grown by about 30% annually in the structure of Italian export to Ukraine.

For a long time, you have been involved in European integration in the Government and the Presidential Administration. How to evaluate our integration today on a 12-point scale? Is visa-free regime the limit for the coming years?

Undoubtedly, the provision of a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens is not the ultimate goal of European integration. At the same time, the abolition of tourist visas for Ukrainians is an important stage in the process of returning Ukraine to the European community. It should be noted that when Ukraine in the mid-2000s first took up the matter with the EU regarding canceling visas for Ukrainian citizens, few believed that it would be implemented. As for me personally, the granting of a visa-free regime means a radical change in the attitude of the Europeans towards our country and, at the same time, the acquisition of freedom of choice for every Ukrainian. Regarding the future development of European integration projects, I think it is necessary to set ambitious but at the same time realistic plans. In particular, it is about expanding economic cooperation until Ukraine joins the customs union with the EU, until there is a single digital and communication space and the gradual extension of the principle of four freedoms to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Diaspora is one of the most numerous in Italy.

It is officially more than 240 thousand people.

How are

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the Ukrainians settling? Has the number increased since the beginning of the war?

According to official data from the Ministry of Social Policy of Italy, last year, about 250 thousand of residence permits were issued to the citizens of Ukraine, which indicates a strong representation of the Ukrainian community.

At present, given the crisis in the European and Italian economies, the problems of the vast majority of Ukrainian citizens in Italy is in the economic plane, since the overwhelming majority of the Ukrainians have arrived in this country in the search for a job (the so-called economic migration). At the same time, it should be noted that among the Ukrainians in Italy, quite a large number have high qualifications, are fluent in Italian and thus easily integrate into the local environment. In my opinion, the factor of Russian aggression practically has not affected the dynamics of migration from Ukraine to Italy.

Is it possible for Ukrainian children in Italy to study in Ukrainian? Maybe there are Sunday schools? How do parents get out of a situation when they want children to know the language?

At present, there are dozens of Ukrainian Sunday schools in Italy, most of which are part of the program of the International Ukrainian School (IUS) under the patronage of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. A large number of Ukrainian children visit Sunday schools in order to preserve and develop the knowledge of the Ukrainian language, literature and history. In spite of taking classes on the day off, Ukrainian students attend Sunday schools enthusiastically.

Do you see the threat that the Ukrainians go abroad for work? How can this phenomenon be stopped?

Most European states (in the last period these are Spain, Portugal, Poland, the Baltic States) have experienced periods in their history when the citizens were forced to travel abroad in search of work. Even earlier Italy was one of such countries. It should be understood that each problem can be turned into an advantage if to respond properly to such processes. What do I mean? During

the forced stay in the European countries, the Ukrainians gain experience in a competitive business environment and learn foreign languages. In my regular contacts with Ukrainian businessmen abroad, I have heard not once that if our Government can create conditions for active business development then the Ukrainians will be ready to return home and on the one hand to implement their business skills “European like”, and on the other hand, they will be the leaders of those European values for which the Ukrainians entered the Maidan in 2013.

There is a feeling that Ukraine can remain on its own in confrontation with Russia. In Europe, internal problems are increasing. And they are more important for the Europeans. How should we attract attention to ourselves? Should we rely more on our own strength? How should the Ukrainian authorities act, so that the country does not remain on the margins of European integration processes?

These questions have a close interconnection.

The protection and strengthening of our state are inextricably linked with its progressive development and European integration processes.

Support of Ukraine by a democratic world is an important aspect of our struggle. We are aware

of what our partners are doing for us and we feel this solidarity of friends from all over the world.

But, as the Italian writer and thinker, Giuseppe Donadei, accurately pointed out, “knowing how and on whom one can rely is an important component of their own strength.” Although in many countries there are such powers that make the same mistake that the Europeans made in 1939, expressing their reluctance to “die for Danzig.”

At the same time, let’s always keep in mind that it was the Ukrainian people who, during the years of armed conflict, demonstrated the best examples of human victory and destroyed the plans of the aggressor to ruin our state.

Therefore, we must first of all rely on our own forces, build, strengthen and make our Ukraine more attractive on the basis of common European values. Then it will be an important argument for all of our partners, who, I believe, will continue to defend the “power of law” and not the “law of power”. Reforms, the fight against corruption, changes for the better, transparent investment and business climate — these are the challenges that we must successfully overcome and which are important key success factors of our dialogue with partners in Europe and in the world.

The conversation was held

by Iryna Patlatiuk #6, November 2017

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INTERNATIONAL VECTOR

Ties between Ukraine and the “Western” world have been strong since centuries and are gaining momentum at present, especially with a view to the Association Agreement with the European Union. An important role in this process is played by international and bilateral Associations, whose main mission is to promote the development and strengthen international relations in the fields of civil society, business and culture.

Today we are talking to the President of the Ukrainian-Austrian Association, Mr. Alfred F.ȦPraus, specifically about the development of business relations between Ukraine and Austria.

Dear Mr. Praus, tell us please what your Association is doing in Ukraine?

The main mission of the Ukrainian-Austrian Association is to foster social relations between Austria and Ukraine and to develop initiatives and projects in the social, cultural, civil and business sectors, striving to expand and strengthen the network of cooperation between Austria and Ukraine. Simply put, we help Austrian entrepreneurs discover and enter into the Ukrainian market for themselves and learn its rules, as well as vice versa. Such task is facilitated not least by special trainings on intercultural communication and management that we are offering on university and business school level mainly to the Ukrainians who are eager to enter the Western European business arena.

To name just one example of our B2B-projects we are already following up: recently I have been entrusted by the President of International Institute of Business (IIB, the largest business school in Ukraine) to search for and identify a presumptive partner University of Applied Sciences in Austria for a cross-M(B)A programme. And there are already some industrial B2B-projects in the pipeline as well.

How difficult is it to do business in Ukraine?

This is really not easy to answer. Ukraine is having a war in the Eastern part and this is not only an internal but also international problem. The international media coverage of the war is distorting the picture and image of Ukraine. As a result, many people are not aware that the occupied area and #6, November 2017

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INTERNATIONAL VECTOR

zones where the war is waged are accounting for less than 15% of the whole Ukraine and that meanwhile everywhere else Ukraine is partly even flourishing country. However, I believe in Ukraine and its future, because otherwise I would not do what I am doing. When I started to work and develop projects here, some things seemed to me incomprehensible or at least strange.

This mainly concerns the approach to business and business negotiations, and above all, how short-sighted is the attitude towards business profitability and pay back in Ukraine. In Austria, business plans are elaborated widely on the expectation of a certain perspective and gradual development; whereas in Ukraine, people aspire to take maximum short-term profit. Meanwhile I do understand that such mentality is the result of centuries of uncertainty, crises and even wars. In Austria and elsewhere in the Western world, there are rules that have been formed for decades or even centuries including do’s and don’ts in business. In Ukraine, a culture of doing business is just beginning to emerge. There is practically no oligarchy in Western Europe, while in Ukraine it was, until recently, impossible to deny the sometimes even decisive influence of wealthy people on the political, social, cultural and other spheres of life of the country. And, as it seems to me, not much is currently changing in this respect.

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What is known about Austria in Ukraine? In fact, in due time, quite a large part of the territory of Ukraine was part of the Habsburg AustrianHungarian Empire.

Of course, Ukraine was and is a very topical subject in Austria. The descendant of the imperial dynasty, well-known, highly esteemed and influential politician Otto von Habsburg was, I am tempted to say, even a lobbyist of Ukrainian interests. For a long time he headed such a serious organization as the International Pan-European Union and made a lot to ensure that Ukraine’s European integration aspirations were understood and supported in the West.

Unfortunately, sometimes such defenders of Ukrainian interests abroad as the deceased son of the last Emperor, made more for Eurointegration than, in fact, many Ukrainian politicians.

How influential is the Russian lobby in Austria?

I sometimes have to communicate with businessmen and government officials who actually make this lobby up. And you can believe me, these people are pragmatic and intelligent. In addition, the Russian Embassy conducts regular activities aimed at popularizing Russian culture

INTERNATIONAL VECTOR in Austria, not speaking of the spread of so-called fake news. Such measures are aimed at creating a positive image of Russia, and counter-propaganda is, sad to say, not widely perceived. Even the relevant authorities of the European Union in this respect sometimes find it difficult to confront this kind of information pressure, not least with a view to the fact that business interests are often overriding application of international law and ethics. Please keep in mind that the relation of Russia to Ukraine is approximately 10:1 in terms of bilateral trade with the European Union. The outcome of the recent parliamentary elections in Austria has made the forming of a coalition of the new People’s Party with the rightist Freedom Party very probable and this might produce a certain proneness to Russia.

Putin has officially visited Austria a number of times.

In my time as chairman of an international industrial group I had been introduced to him at one of these state receptions.

This encounter lasted for maximum one minute: his eyes — cold and smart.

You have a very serious and dangerous enemy.

What does the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria do? How effectively does it oppose the Russian influence?

I do not intend and would have no right to judge your Embassy.

Of course, it is vividly fighting for the interests of Ukraine, sometimes even with a substantial portion of emotion. However, unfortunately, the Embassy of Russia, as far as I can see from Ukraine, is acting more actively.

However, I should point out that Ukraine has many reliable and true friends in Austria, not to speak of the considerable Ukrainian community.

Do you believe in the European future of Ukraine?

Of course, I do. The best proof for that is that I have been living and working in Ukraine for almost ten years now and that I am currently building up Ukrainian-Austrian Association. Ukraine inspires me to work and strive for better future for this country.

Ukraine has chosen a complicated but correct way. And the most important thing is that you are not going to leave it!

The conversation was held by Ihor Skrypnyk

INTERNATIONAL VECTOR

TRAVELLING WITHOUT A HITCH! With the start of the visa-free regime, communication between Ukraine and the EU countries is gaining momentum. One of the directions of mutually beneficial relations is tourism, through which each country reveals itself on different sides: geography, architecture, history, culture, medicine, and much more.

This autumn, the Tourism Centre of Greece in Ukraine was opened in Kyiv, where the Ukrainians will be given answers to a wide variety of questions about travelling to Greece and will be helped organize a journey fit every taste, from simple to the most demanding one.

The director, Ioannis Dasopoulos, tells “Fashion of Diplomacy” about the opening of the Tourism Centre of Greece in Ukraine and its activity.

Please, tell us why it was decided to create a similar centre in Ukraine?

— Ukraine is not just our longtime friend and trading partner. Ukraine is a big country.

It has giant, limitless potential. However, it is not a secret to anyone that tourism is the

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main focus of Ukrainian-Greek cooperation.

Therefore, the creation of the Tourism Center of Greece, primarily, is aimed at streamlining the tourist services market. I want to emphasize separately — it is about Greek tourist services for Ukrainian tourists. We want as many Ukrainians as possible to come to Greece.

What are its main functions?

— First of all, we want any Ukrainian in Greece to feel at home. We want a person, while going to us, to be able to choose the range of services that their financial capabilities allow them. A person should know, for example, where to take a taxi at the airport, in which banking network to exchange currency at the most favourable rate. These are not trivialities. Such information is one of our key priorities.

How would you describe those who you see as the main clients of such an information centre?

— These are all who want to visit Greece.

We provide information not only about Greek travel companies, not only about Greek hotels.

We inform about interesting facts concerning the Greek infrastructure and interesting places in our country, which do not always come into the view of tourism operators. If, let us say, a Ukrainian student wants to visit Greece and see Aristotle’s grave, then we will advise them how to do it, where to stay, how to get there in the cheapest and fastest way. In addition, I think you have heard about Work and Travel. We would like to have a similar program for Greece — we want young Ukrainians to visit our country, learn our language, and become acquainted with our traditions.

Is there an interest of the Greek side to have a similar Ukrainian centre in the country?

— I cannot say anything about this, because such an initiative should come from the Ukrainian side. Personally, I would be pleased if the Ukrainians had a similar centre in Athens and informed the Greeks about the peculiarities of travelling around Ukraine. I must point out that the Ukrainian Embassy in Greece is doing an important, difficult and hard work, introducing the Greeks to Ukraine, and it is doing the job very and very professionally. This includes not only tourism but also culture and business.

What would you like to wish the Ukrainians?

— You are having difficult times now. I am aware of that. I have been in Ukraine relatively not much time, but I am impressed and inspired by the extraordinary hard-working nature and indestructible optimism of your people. I fell in love with Ukraine and the Ukrainians; therefore, I am convinced that great and wonderful future awaits you...

The conversation was held by Ihor Skrypnyk

UKRAINIAN DIPLOMATICS The development of cultural diplomacy is one of the most effective tools of external communication, popularization of our country and integration into the world cultural space.

Anatolii Solovei — Head of the Public Diplomacy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

Cultural policy of the state is a component of soft power, as well as one of the harmonization factors of its relations with the outside world. Cultural potential allows the country to expand its interstate dialogue and to create a favourable environment for achieving the desired goals in the political, economic, security and other fields.

Ukraine, as an actor in the world political arena, is not the exception.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, in 2016, began the systematic institutional formation of a new dimension of activity — public and cultural diplomacy. An operating

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unit — the Public Diplomacy Department (PDD) with the Department of Cultural Diplomacy — has been created. It actively applies innovative approaches and creative solutions for promoting Ukrainian culture abroad, as well as engages various segments of the cultural field of the state in cooperation. In particular, acting as one of the most effective instruments of external communication, cultural diplomacy covers art, science, tourism, educational projects, etc.

Cultural diplomacy focuses on the integration of the country into the world cultural space.

World experience shows that the active use of instruments of cultural diplomacy by states facilitates the integration of the country into the world cultural space. Viewing the influence

UKRAINIAN DIPLOMATICS power, the leading states consider the soft power of cultural diplomacy on a level with military-political and economic means. That is why, activation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs activity in the field of cultural diplomacy and image-building policy is necessary.

The system has to be independent of the political situation.

The plans of the Department have strategic nature. Today we are to a wide extent focused on system-building work. We are developing a stable and continuously acting state system of positive presentation of Ukraine in the world for many years to come. This system should be as independent of the political situation, the will and the influence of individual politicians and institutions as possible. Such an approach requires the modernization of the entire mechanism of external cultural ties, including training of professional staff, making tangible changes to Ukrainian legislation and improving the procedures for forming the appropriate budget. One of the key prerequisites for the success of this work is the involvement of modern cultural forms and creative industries in the cooperation.

and the newly established Ukrainian Institute.

The implementation of international projects makes it possible to popularize Ukraine in the world arena.

While working on the draft document, we held consultations with the representatives of foreign cultural institutions working in Ukraine.

We took into account the international work experience of foreign policy departments of foreign countries in the field of public and cultural diplomacy, and we also summarized our own experience in the implementation of largescale projects.

Amendments to the CMU Resolution No. 165 as of March 22, 2017 significantly expanded the possibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Launching the work of the new subdivision has become a powerful impetus for the modernization of the regulatory framework. In particular, we have managed to abolish the notorious 102 decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on the procedure for spending money within the framework of the budget program aimed at promoting the positive image of Ukraine abroad.

This state act completely blocked the implementation of modern projects of public and cultural diplomacy.

The new adopted Procedure for Using Budget Funds in the context of public and cultural diplomacy (CMU Resolution No. 165 as of March 22, 2017) has considerably expanded the possibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreign diplomatic institutions #6, November 2017

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Such powerful opportunities, as conducting information campaigns, business trips of non-government experts abroad, organizing conferences and roundtables, etc., which are put into the document, significantly expanded the list of activities in the field of cultural and public diplomacy.

Ukrainian Institute — new opportunities for the development of cultural diplomacy of our country.

Nowadays, in the field of capacity building, our flagship project is the creation of the Ukrainian Institute, which will bear such a responsible task as comprehensive presentation of modern Ukraine abroad. In early 2017, Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin presented this project and launched the public discussion. We believe an open dialogue with the public can become a guarantee of public trust in this project of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the interest of the representatives of the country’s cultural field in cooperation.

Diasporas play an important role in the work of the Institute.

Foreign Ukrainians are potential partners in this process. They are an important source of knowledge and useful contacts for the Institute’s

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work. At the present stage, the work with the related government agencies on organizational issues has almost been completed. The announcement of the competition for the post of director of the newly created structure and the creation of a network of foreign branches of the Institute are ahead. We are planning that at the first stage this institution will operate as a part of central office in Kyiv and 4-5 foreign offices: Paris, Berlin, Rome, Warsaw and New York.

Strengthening Ukraine’s position abroad is a major task that the Public Diplomacy Department puts on itself.

I can assure you that Ukrainian public and cultural diplomacy makes the best efforts for Ukraine’s active integration into the world context and contributes to strengthening the positions of our state abroad. Which is evidenced by our achievements in 2017. Popularization of Ukrainian contemporary and traditional culture, strengthening of spiritual and cultural ties with foreign Ukrainians, sports cooperation, provision of educational services, creative economy, increase of tourist attractiveness - all these components should expand understanding of Ukraine and its presence in different parts of the world.

UKRAINIAN DIPLOMATICS

Hundreds of cultural and fashion events, including participation of Ukraine in a number of significant international projects, were held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with Ukrainian foreign diplomatic institutions during the reporting period. The most prominent measures that covered a numerous foreign target audience and had a significant image-building effect became: •

Annual Open Air Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

•

Participation of Ukraine in international book fairs: the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Belgrade Book Fair.

•

Participation of Ukraine in the Contemporary Art Fair SWAB Barcelona (organization of performances of the Lugansk Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Austrian conductor Kurt Schmidt in Vienna, Linz and Salzburg).

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Participation of Ukraine in international film festivals: the Cannes Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the International Documentary Film Festival in Leipzig.

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Representation of Ukrainian contemporary art within the framework of the Week End à L’Est

International Festival. Édition Kyiv, devoted to the city of Kyiv and Ukrainian culture.

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Exhibition of contemporary Ukrainian painting at the UN headquarters.

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Carrying-out translation, printing and distribution of materials on historical, political, cultural subjects.

•

Implementation of a large-scale Ukrainian-German project “Year of the Ukrainian Language in Germany and the German Language in Ukraine” has begun.

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A series of conferences, forums and round tables devoted to such priority directions of work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as counteracting of Russian aggression against Ukraine and de-occupation of the Crimea and Donbas, the increase of investment attractiveness of Ukraine, promotion of scientific, educational and touristic potential were organized. #6, November 2017

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BUSINESS IN UKRAINE The activity of various business clubs in Ukraine is very popular today. Businessmen, people of action, public figures, who share the same vital philosophy and values, unite and create a certain living organism as a successful, self-sufficient environment.

Sergey Gaydaychuk, the President of CEO Club Ukraine, tells “Fashion of Diplomacy” about the creation of new business elite in Ukraine, about the education and formation of new progressive specialists at all levels.

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You are heading the CEO Club Ukraine.

Can we say that this is a union of people who belong to the elite?

I never wanted our club to belong to the elite, because I have always had a skeptic attitude towards our elite. However, when I looked at what this word means, and it means the best people in society, I, after all, said that we are uniting, let’s say, not the worst people in Ukraine. CEO means Chief Executive Officer, in other words, it refers to people who manage and take responsibility for business development.

If to mean these people by the elite, then I am ready to agree with you.

In our country, the business elite often become political elite. Is anything similar happening to your club members?

Our club is completely apolitical and unites only entrepreneurs and top managers. The goals and philosophy of our club do not involve active participation in political processes, but the situation that took place in our country in 2014 changed the attitude of many of our members towards politics. Everyone realized that we could not deal with politics, but politics would deal with us one way or another. By 2014, those businessmen, who did not earn money from

BUSINESS IN UKRAINE the budget, looked at politics as at something unimportant and minor. And this, as time showed, was the wrong vision. Some members of our club went into politics or, it is better to say, they were called to the government by the state. For example, Oleksii Pavlenko. He was the Minister of Agriculture. Serhii Shkliar — he is the Deputy Minister of Justice now. Serhii Blazhevych was the Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Patrol Police.

Certainly, we understood and understand that all the troubles of our state are due to the lack of the middle class formation and the fact that it is not represented in authorities. The events of 2014 have pushed the old elite out of control of the state a bit, but it does not lose its positions. And it is because of this, that the active participation of some representatives of our club in politics is a kind of shift in the minds of entrepreneurs who had realized that every active and conscious citizen is responsible for what is happening in our country.

How would you estimate the economic situation in our country?

The economic situation, there again, depends on the fact that the old elite continue to govern

the country. These people do not take power as responsibility, but as an opportunity to obtain profit, using the state for this purpose. Having such management there is no need to wait for positive changes in the economy. First of all, it is referred to the fact that the old elite conserve old methods of managing the economy. Why? Because the innovations make it impossible for the state to become a source of super-profits.

We created our club not least of all to promote innovative ideas and innovative projects. We want to become the young blood that will renew Ukraine in the economic and entrepreneurial sense.

When was your club established?

Our club was created six and a half years ago. I thought that when to bring the people who think correctly together, sooner or later there would be a synergistic eect. My idea was to set up a certain community, to create a living organism that united people with the same philosophy of life. This idea was not formalized in any way. It was simply an understanding that we should keep together. It is in human nature, we have to interact and cooperate, because we

#6, November 2017

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fairly paradoxical situation. We are experiencing very difficult times in the economy and in politics, in spite of what potential and capabilities we possess. And the only opportunity to realize this potential is the upbringing and the formation of new progressive elite at all levels. And one of the key forces of society, its creative class and engine, its backbone and those, who form the wealth of the country, are entrepreneurs. Therefore, our priority as a community is to direct efforts, resources and opportunities to grow and form a new entrepreneurial class of people in the country. We are doing a lot in this direction. The second strategic direction of the club’s activity is to stimulate our business to develop globally — to go beyond the borders of the country, and to bring the largest number of business delegations from all over the world into Ukraine, in order to show what Ukraine really is and that there are people to work with, many opportunities. We are implementing this task through establishing cooperation and partnerships with similar business clubs around the world.

Is your club exclusively the structure of Kyiv?

live among people. Who works more effectively with others achieves greater results and lives more interesting and multi-faceted life.

What are the main directions of its work?

When I created the club, the primary goal was to create an environment, a community of successful entrepreneurs and top managers that would meet very high professional and ethical criteria, in order to develop, exchange experience and best practices of cooperation and communication. However, as the club evolved, after we had claimed ourselves as a successful, self-sufficient environment, we formulated a new mission of the club — directed beyond the club. And the new mission was to form the new business elite of Ukraine, through the practice and implementation of key principles and projects. After all, there is a

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Until recently it was just that way.

We never planned to expand and open branches in other Ukrainian cities.

But the times are changing. We receive offers from other cities. This is not about the opening of branches or subsidiary structures yet — it is about creating discussion clubs in Odessa and Lviv.

What is your forecast for the nearest political and economic future of Ukraine?

Forecasts are always difficult to do, because you can always make mistakes. However, I can say one thing — if the progressive and conscious people, who are in the country, take responsibility for the future fate of the country, if we upgrade the system of governing the state, if we adopt world-wide innovative approaches, then the bright future is waiting for us...

The conversation was held

by Ihor Skrypnyk

UKRAINIAN POLICY MAKERS

Ukrainian culture today is a prestige of the state and pride of the Ukrainians.

We have more and more high-quality products in the cinema, music, appearing in the native language on television. The sector has received a significant increase in funding. But this is not enough. There is still much work ahead, says Minister of Culture Yevhen Nyshchuk in an interview with “Fashion of Diplomacy”.

“NOW WE ARE HAVING A GREAT PAIN — THERE IS A WAR IN THE EAST OF THE COUNTRY. BUT THERE IS PRIDE IN THE FACT THAT UKRAINE IS A COUNTRY WITH GREAT POTENTIAL” THROUGH THE CULTURE, THE EUROPEANS LOOK AT US DIFFERENTLY — AS AT AN EQUAL PARTNER, — THE MINISTER OF CULTURE OF UKRAINE, YEVHEN NYSHCHUK November 21 is the anniversary of the beginning of the Revolution of Dignity.

How has Ukraine changed in four years?

— First of all, these are worldview changes, changes in activity of the society. For sometimes not only in our country, but also in the developed part of Europe, society might be very inert. The Revolution of Dignity finally destroyed the myth that Ukrainians are sitting in the huts, that we are too cautious and unable to sacrifice life for ideological principles. In 2013–2014, more than 100 people were killed for dignity, freedom and the right to vote. They were between 17 and 73 years old. People of different generations who fought for one idea. This is an incredible thing, which is sometimes forgotten and transferred to the stratum — “Sausages got more expensive in our country, the dollar rate has risen.

Why did they die then?” No. They were not fighting for the dollar rate. #6, November 2017

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UKRAINIAN POLICY MAKERS They were fighting for principal fundamental values. This is the moment of our responsibility.

You were the voice of the Maidan. Did you think then that you would become the Minister?

— Everything could end very sadly for me.

Overnight into February 19th , the sniper could well “take me off” and I would have been nobody.

On February 24th or 26th, the talk about the formation of a government began. Someone said that I should have taken the responsibility.

I did not know how to take it. The turning point was when someone provoked into a question on the Maidan: “What do you think, if our Yevhen becomes the Minister of Culture?” Everyone said: “Let’s do it.” I was not only an actor. I collaborated with Ukrainian artists, singers, creative groups, bands. I shared a common language with them.

That is why I agreed.

What goal did you set yourself?

— The program has been built up along the way. At that moment, it was very important to rely on the development of creative professional groups. The condition of the Maidan was the dismissal of all the deputies, heads of departments who worked before that. I did it in the first 10 minutes, not offending anyone.

There were those who did not want to write an application for dismissal. They “got sick” for 4 months, but then did not work anyway. I did not know any of the people who were offered to vacant posts. I risked taking those who had never been in the system, who were not my friends and were not “cronies”, but professionals in their directions.

However, the system of the Ministry of Culture was blatant, corrupt.

— I have replaced the key people in the Ministry. Now there is a team working here that thinks differently, for which any “schemes” are totally unacceptable.

We have removed the function from the Ministry with the help of which they “earned money”. One of the examples: the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation under the Ministry of Culture will begin work from the 1st of January.

It is an independent body that will consist of a supervisory board and expert groups. They will select artistic projects for partial or full financial support. The Minister must not divide the money. This should be done by experts on a competitive basis. We will

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fight corruption schemes this way.

Will the corruption not work there, either?

— Nobody is immune. But we are building those things that would make this situation most impossible, at the start. There are enough anti-corruption bodies in the country, which have to check everything. I hope they are a big deterrent. But there is another point — I am really relying on very authoritative people who will work in the fund.

Were you offered bribes?

— No, I was not. Probably, due to the glory from Maidan they did not dare to do it.

Numerous changes have come into the culture with you. In particular, the situation with the Ukrainian language on radio and television has improved.

Although there was a lot of criticism.

— In this context, it should not be changed to a discussion of purely linguistic problems. In fact, this is a simple desire, which Germany, France, Sweden and other countries have to protect the interest of the own state, culture, language. It is not a secret, that the Ukrainian language, the production of movies and series, the output of books, songs on the radio and clips on television were impinged for many years. There was no encouragement to do this.

Today, there is no harassment in relation to other languages. At the same time, there is a great impetus to creation, so that nowadays we have a quality through the quantity.

UKRAINIAN POLICY MAKERS Every week there are new Ukrainian cinema premieres.

Exciting “The Stronghold” came out. There are films that receive awards at numerous international film festivals. “The Line”, which was made jointly with Slovakia, is now submitted to “Oscar”. “The Nest of the Turtledove” was filmed with the Italians — the tape appeared in two languages. Of course, there is a great need for high-quality television series. Therefore, these days, as part of the work on the budget, we want to accumulate funds in the Ukrainian State Film Agency both for a feature film and support of the TV series production. The Ukrainian animation is to be supported as a separate program.

For how much is funding from the state budget enough and how has it changed over the last years?

— I am grateful to the first persons of the state, the Prime Minister, colleagues from the Government, who are increasingly giving ear to our industry.

I am not tired of saying that culture is extremely important and it cannot be financed by the residual principle. And fortunately, the support of the industry was increased — last year by 1.5 billion hryvnias, now by 1.5 billion more. It cannot be said that this is enough.

But still, it is a good dynamics. When I became the Minister in 2014, we had 29 million hryvnias for the development of cinematography, and in 2017 — 500 million. It is just a breakthrough and a merit of our team. According to the results of the last meeting of the Prime Minister with the cinema community, we ended up with the amount of almost 1 billion for the following year.

What place does Ukraine occupy in the world cultural space?

— In addition to the traditional culture, which is revealed in embroidery, pottery, art, music, dancing and solo, we should be integrated into contemporary thinking, the world of artistic context.

We must be direct participants in major European forums for this. This is the strength of cultural diplomacy, which gives us an opportunity to draw attention to us. Precisely through the culture.

UKRAINIAN POLICY MAKERS

For the very art has the shortest path to the human soul. For example, when we arrive at the Frankfurt Book Fair, we present a complete National stand with our publishing houses, books, translations and incredible topical design of the publications by our artists, drawing artists, with the stylish design of the stand itself; we hear from everywhere: “Oh, what is it? Ukraine?”

Yes! This is, in fact, our voice, which is necessary to us, anywhere in the world. It is through culture that we are perceived as an equal partner.

What is our peculiarity as a cultural nation?

— These are great openness, sincerity and hospitality. The Eurovision confirmed that as well. Europeans like being in our country. They feel comfortable here.

We have a great pain — there is a war in the East of the country. Thanks to our army, our Heroes, we are standing it. Indeed, sometimes we get frustrated with some processes. But it is natural; it is a matter of time. For, most importantly, there is pride and confidence that Ukraine is a country with great potential.

Many specialists from different fields leave the country. Is there the same problem in the culture?

— We are moving now from the constant Soviet thought: “Look, she has gone. These are the best opera ballerinas, singers, musicians leaving the country.” They are not leaving. Over the past year, there has been such a tendency for artists to sign contracts with the best stages in Europe and the world. But they leave behind the opportunity and consider it a pride to return

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permanently to their native stage. We must not make them traitors. They carry our talents to the world, show how deep and professional our art and people are in it. They identify themselves Ukrainians. In addition, they continue to come back here so that their talent could be enjoyed in Ukraine too.

How did the war change the culture and the Ukrainians?

— It showed: when a person’s heart is bleeding for their land, it does not matter where they were born. They go and protect it. This is a healthy patriotism. Now, for example, the movie “Cyborgs”, which will be released on screens in December, is being filmed. There is this situation, when the extreme moment happened — a person has made a decision that they are in the protection of their family, land and state — the aggressor did not expect this incredible thing.

It is amazing that having such great losses we believe that we will stand and we will be building up the state we want to see.

You had a different life before the Ministry — you were doing your favourite job, travelled, got emotions. Where do you get emotions now?

— Apart from the documents, my work still involves meetings with artists. They are the source. I am ignited from them. I cannot say that I will make everyone happy. But from morning till night, I work to get some things done. I get a great pleasure from the fact that talented people are realized that they are on the screen.

That good Ukrainian music finally sounds on TV and radio broadcasts. I am glad when I manage to

UKRAINIAN POLICY MAKERS implement an interesting, bold creative project, I am happy with the queues at the museum for interesting exhibition projects, and queues for Ukrainian cinema. I am glad that my colleagues receive major roles in movies and TV shows.

Previously, it was an implicit ban. The main roles were played by Moscow actors. We were given the minor ones. The situation has changed now.

The spectator likes Ukrainian artists very much; they are recognized in the streets, admired, photographed, taken autographs from. I get great pleasure from this. All this inspires to further work.

Do you not regret that you are not in their place?

— No, I do not have time to miss here. The rhythm is very serious. Though one or two times a month at weekends I play in performances. This is a sign of attention to colleagues.

Are you being filmed in movies?

— In the cinema, I hardly manage. Except for an episode that can be filmed in 4-5 hours at the weekend. I have several projects like this.

One in “Cyborgs”, where I am playing the military chaplain. The character is so interesting that maybe not everyone will recognize me at once.

One more - I am playing Volodymyr Vynnychenko in the movie “Diary of Symon Petliura”. The film shoots are still lasting. The last small role is in the movie “Kruty”, where I am the father of one of the young Heroes, that a hundred years ago came out armed with, in fact, only love to their native land against the completely armed forces. And they restrained it. These are some

BIOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND

very symbolic things, the opening of our true historical pages to the world, so I am glad to join them. However, of course, the state work is taking all the time. I understood what I was going into. This is my responsibility and mission for that time, as measured by the political situation and the One above.

How do you see Ukraine in 10 years?

— We have to make significant changes in the part of the settled place on the geopolitical map of the world. If to talk about security, I am sure we will have become a member of NATO for 10 years. We must be a full-fledged member of the European Union. Clearly, we must gain peace in those painful regions of Ukraine where blood is shedding. These regions deserved to have a really happy life after suffering there. Over these 10 years we have to prove Europe and the world — we are full-fledged partners, one can and should work with us, and it is possible and necessary to invest here. And that we are the country of great potential.

Not all Ukrainians believe in such a good future. What advice would you give them?

— Save a little money, sit into a car or a train and go around the country. Look left and right.

Visit castles, museums, theatres. Talk to people.

Go to a beautiful coffee shop, drink some delicious tea, smile and go further. Discover our native land and its treasures and believe this faith will come.

Anna Avramenko held the conversation

Minister of Culture of Ukraine. Born on December 29, 1972 in Ivano-Frankivsk. Film and theatre actor. Graduated from the Kyiv National University of Theatre, Cinema and Television named after Ivan Karpenko-Kary. Played at the Kyiv Academic Workshop of Theatrical Art “Suzirya” (Constellation). Since January 20, 2015, the actor of the National Academic Drama Theatre named after Ivan Franko. He was engaged in dubbing foreign films into the Ukrainian language. Has the title of People’s Artist of Ukraine and Honoured Artist of Ukraine.

During the Revolution of Dignity he was called “the voice of the Maidan.” He was a moderator on the stage of EuroMaidan.

He was appointed to the position of the Minister on February 27, 2014. During nine months, the Cabinet resigned. In April 2016, he joined the new government.

Hobby — playing football. #6, November 2017

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WHO ARE YOU MRS. MYKOLSKA?

Photo: Yuliana Lytvynenko

“THE EUROPEAN UNION IS OUR BIGGEST TRADING PARTNER” The situation in the country has changed. Therefore, the formula “traditional goods — to the traditional markets” is no longer working, — the Trade Representative of Ukraine, Nataliya Mykolska

Nowadays, Ukraine needs to prove to the world that we are the state where reforms are taking place, business climate is improving, qualitative products are being produced and qualified services are being provided. And it is possible and necessary to work with Ukrainian companies for many tomorrows. This is one of the main tasks of the Trade Representative of Ukraine — the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Nataliya Mykolska. Ms. Mykolska told “Fashion of Diplomacy” how our trade had changed and how to popularize the Ukrainian.

In one interview, you said you applied for this post in order to change the image of Ukraine in the international arena. What has been managed?

— A lot and not much has been managed.

Ukrainian exports are growing this year. And this is one of the drivers of the economy and the achievement of our business.

For the first time in 26 years of independence, we have developed, presented and even now, before the approval, we are implementing the Export Strategy of Ukraine and the relevant action plan - a guideline for the government and business for the next five years.

And of course, the entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement with Canada as of August 1, 2017. It opened the Canadian market for 98% of Ukrainian goods. By doing so, it has created new opportunities for business and investment attraction.

Another important achievement — on October 1, 2017, the additional trade preferences of the EU for Ukraine came into force. This is one more opportunity for Ukrainian exporters beyond the free trade zone with the EU. Also, we are completing the procedure for joining the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin.

Our work with Ukrainian business, including business in the regions, is something I am proud of. After all, not the government does export, but business.

How are Ukraine and the Ukrainians perceived in the world now?

— We represent Ukraine at all international events and meetings as a state with business

that is a reliable trading partner. We are talking about high-qualitative, unique and innovative products and services of our enterprises.

We often face the problem of Russian propaganda. It is aimed at forming a negative perception of Ukraine, Ukrainian goods and services. That is why, among our tasks is to convey to the world that Ukraine is a state where reforms are taking place, business climate is improving, qualitative products are being produced and qualified services are being provided; that Ukrainian companies can and should be worked with for many tomorrows. We are also telling the world the stories of success of the Ukrainian business.

For almost two years, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union has been in force. What achievements have we got during this time?

— Exports to the EU are constantly growing — and this is a tendency. More and more goods with added value are appearing.

The share of goods remaining on the EU market is growing. Many said that the export of dairy products is unnecessary to anyone. As of today, 18 Ukrainian companies already have the right to supply their products to Europe. Moreover, the volumes of “dairy products” are increasing.

The significant growth in the export of butter was a pleasant surprise. Today, we are the second country supplying this product to the EU market after New Zealand. A similar breakthrough was made by Ukrainian ice cream — by 344 times or by 327.5 thousand USD for the first quarter of 2017.

What other Ukrainian products are in demand in the EU? — The European Union is our biggest trading partner. During eight months of 2017, an export to the EU was $ 11 billion and it increased by $ 2.4 billion in comparison with the same period last year. The largest increase was in the supply of ores and iron concentrates, corn, ferroalloy, sunflower oil, isolated wires. We are also entering TOP-10 largest agricultural producers in the EU.

How easy is it to our producers to get on the European market?

— Exit to any external market is a long game.

You invest in marketing, promotion in order to conquer a particular consumer. This game is quite predictable, as opposed to what we had on the market of the Russian Federation.

The Export Promotion Office was created #6, November 2017

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Therefore, the first “pilots” will be among the markets “in focus”.

The Free Trade Agreement with Canada entered into force. Is it easier to our manufacturers to enter their market?

Photo: Yuliana Lytvynenko

in order to help Ukrainian exporters to enter foreign markets. One of the tasks of which is to promote Ukrainian goods and services abroad and assist in establishing cooperation and partnership between Ukrainian and foreign business. The office provides assistance in seven directions: information and analytics; export consulting; educational platform; business opportunities; international public procurement; B2G platform; SheExports platform.

Using opportunities to enter new markets is not easy. A company cannot just want to start exporting its products. It must meet certain requirements and it must undergo certification.

This is a difficult and painful process, but at the same time, it is the opportunity to move to a new, higher level of competition. Many entrepreneurs use the transition to European quality standards to enter other markets where they are recognized — for example, Chinese ones.

How are our sales offices working or at which stage of creation are they in the world?

— Today, the Ministry of Economic Development together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working on the implementation of a pilot project to enhance the representation of Ukraine’s economic interests abroad. The beginning of this pilot project is scheduled for 2018.

Our representatives will work as part of the foreign diplomatic institutions of Ukraine and will be subordinate to the Ministry of Economic Development. The list of the countries, which have the greatest prospects for the development of Ukrainian exports, has been defined by the export strategy of Ukraine. These are the socalled markets “in focus” — 20 prospective markets, plus 28 EU countries, are selected.

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— This is the second free trade regime (after the EU), which has come into force since the Revolution of Dignity. However, the case with Canada is somewhat special. After all, thanks to the active lobbying of the influential Ukrainian community, we have received more preferences and better conditions. This is very important because the Canadian market is large and there is a possibility of diversification for Ukrainian companies.

The Agreement provided a “green light” for cooperation between Ukrainian and Canadian companies in the IT, high-tech, engineering and aerospace and machine-building sectors within participation in global value added chains. Prospective sectors, the growth of which we expect, include Ukrainian food products, processing equipment and spare parts for it. The third successful sector is furniture and everything related to woodworking. Also, we include Ukrainian light industry and fashion to promising sectors. Some Ukrainian designers have already succeeded in the Canadian market by opening their boutiques there. Another sector, where we see our prospects for cooperation, is aircraft building.

Canadian imports to Ukraine are also growing. We are interested in this. Canada supplies goods and services to Ukraine that we do not manufacture on our own and would import from the other countries. Therefore, we are interested in the Ukrainian market having as many qualitative goods from Canada as possible, given they create competition for European imports, thus hindering the growth of prices.

There are negotiations on a free trade zone with Israel. What stage are they at?

— On September 28, during the seventh round of negotiations in Tel Aviv, we headed into the homestretch in the negotiations on the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement. Israel is a market “in focus” according to the Export Strategy of Ukraine. The Agreement will provide new opportunities for Ukrainian exporters.

That is why we are aiming at providing the duty-free access for goods that comprise the

WHO ARE YOU MRS. MYKOLSKA? export potential for Ukraine and will enjoy competitive advantages on the Israeli market. In particular, in view of Ukraine’s accession to the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin, the member of which the State of Israel is, Ukrainian products will become part of global value added chains.

How has the Export Strategy of Ukraine changed over the year?

— The situation in the country has changed, so the formula “traditional goods — to the traditional markets” is no longer working. The Ukrainian exports were greatly influenced by the trade aggression of Russia — artificial restrictions for Ukrainian manufacturers were created, transit along the territory of Russia, through which 90% of exports to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan took place, was prohibited.

Export Strategy is not a static project. It evolves and responds to changes and challenges in international trade. The document will allow business to become more sustainable and use this guideline to form export policy.

Now, an important task is to make export promotion a permanent, coherent and integrated policy. If we want the Export Strategy to work for us, we should first work for it. The state and business should build a system of export support jointly. Because it forms, 50% of the country’s GDP and affects economic growth directly.

Why is it beneficial for the European and world investors invest in Ukraine?

— It is beneficial for investors to invest in exportoriented sectors in Ukraine. These are the food industry, information and communication technologies, machine building, light industry and others.

I can explain on the example of the “triangle” of Ukraine — Canada — the EU free trade. These free trade agreements open the way to the production of goods and services on the territory of Ukraine, the supply of them back both to Canada and to the territory of the EU. Ukraine is a production hub for Canadian companies in the European continent. However, Ukraine is viewed as a hub not only by North American and European investors, but also by Asian and Middle Eastern ones.

— The more Ukrainian things and accessories each of our government officials, parliamentarians, and diplomats will have — the better. We need to show by personal example — the Ukrainian is qualitative, comfortable and stylish. Since the appointment, I have been buying clothes, footwear and accessories only from our manufacturers.

Alina Arkhypova held the conversation

Photo: Yuliana Lytvynenko

You are actively promoting Ukrainian designers. Why is this important?

Photographer: Reza Golestani

ARTISTIC UKRAINE

w o h S n a C e r t a e h T “ Another Ukraine to the World ”

We Are Discovering New Dimensions in World Classical Dramatic Art — Ostap Stupka

ARTISTIC UKRAINE

Today, the famous Ukrainian actor, Ostap Stupka can be seen more often at filming location in Poland. However, our spectators will have a chance to appreciate the premiere of his play “The Broken Jug” in November too.

Ostap Stupka told “FD” about Ukraine, theatre, politics and personal life.

We are currently preparing a premiere for my anniversary. This is a play by Heinrich von Kleist from the era of German Romanticism — a philosophical comedy “The Broken Jug”. It has never been put on the stage. There was a precedent when it was translated by Ivan Franko. It is unknown whether his work was preserved. For our project it was translated by Yuri Andrukhovych. I did not want to take any well-known textbooks. That way we discover new dimensions in the world of classical dramatic art.

I am surprised when the actors say: “Oh, I’m dreaming to play Hamlet so much.” Moreover, I do not dream of playing Hamlet. I do not think it is obligatory. I am interested in classical dramatic art, but which is unknown to Ukrainian viewer. It is not about in my character to become fond of anything specific.

I am dreaming of playing something even more different in the theatre and cinema.

has its own magic. The theatre has completely different one.

I was not criticized for the role. I was condemned for participating in projects. It was a long time ago and fell off the edge of the earth, as it is said. Our society interlaces politics in everything. We have a strange mentality — this is bad and that is not good. We need to be more united, because we are divided. However, fragmentation is a weakness. Moreover, weakness is a problem. They prevent from being selfsufficient and not dependent on anyone, although we have many achievements.

Today, I am filming in Poland more.

Since the beginning of the war in 2014, the number of Russian actors has decreased in Ukraine — it was awkward to invite them.

Nowadays, a hundred of people are filming, many in the lead roles. Probably they are loyal to Ukraine. Nevertheless, if they are involved, then

I have changed. I am 50 years old and something switched over — some kind of clamp in the head or subconscious. You are becoming different. Maybe you are going over into another quality, as a person, as an actor. You look differently at the environment, people who are around. You are getting calmer, wiser. This happens to everyone — to someone earlier, to someone later.

What will I be at 70? Let’s live to see, and today we have to think about tomorrow.

Cinema and theatre vary in the ways of existence. In the cinema, it happens to play the final scene on the first day of the shooting, where you should have already obtained the emotion and gone through the movie. In addition, in the theatre, you come on stage at seven and live up with your character until ten o’clock.

When I am asked what is closer to me — a movie or a theatre, I respond as my father did.

He said in the words taken from the play by Ivan Karpenko-Kary: “I have two souls and both are in pain.” They are completely different. The cinema #6, November 2017

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one hundred Ukrainian actors are without work.

We have no trade unions. Ukrainian actor is not protected.

There should be 100 percent of the Ukrainian product on the radio and television. No quotas.

Is it hard to learn the language? The problem is factitious. Our territory was torn and kept on the alert. And it is still continuing.

Ukraine lacks a modern character in the cinema. Cinematography should focus on films about our history. And they shoot: she loves him, he loves the other one, and she is pregnant.

And people watch it. They spend money on that. The State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting stands aside. “Roksolana” for some reason is filmed and is shown to us by the Turks. “Taras Bulba” — by the Russians.

Bohdan Stupka said in such cases: “One thing is to blab, and the other one is to pull a plough”. “Taras Bulba” had to be filmed. It was not done. The Russians filmed.

I had a very good political experience. When I stood in elections to the Verkhovna Rada, I wanted to implement a law on patronage. If you support the culture, you are exempted from paying taxes. The law was not accepted, therefore, there are not enough patrons. Our party did not get into the Parliament. I do not

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want to go to politics today.

The communist regime is stuck in our land.

It is told: de-communization, change of names. A person has to start changes from themselves. It is necessary to deconstruct oneself in the soul.

There is such an impression that the lawn has been cut and it is said: there is not communism any more. But the roots are left. You have not done anything to them and it sprouts again from time to time. For example, the field of culture.

It appears that we have a plan in the theatre, as in the factory. We have to complete a plan on money, on premieres, on staging. A plan?

Ukraine moves gradually. These steps are not big, but something is happening.

After the revolution in 2004, I was asked: “How has human life changed?”

But life consists of trifles — whether the trolley bus arrived on time, whether there is a paper in a public toilet, or whether the conditioner is working in the underground carriages.

Everyone talks about global changes. However, we must start with trifles, and then the life of the citizens will change.

There is such an impression that we are trying to invent a Ukrainian bicycle in all areas. It has square wheels so far. Because in fact the bike has been there for a long time. We must take a

ARTISTIC UKRAINE positive world experience and implement it in our country. But we are optimists. We have to break through in all the areas, because Ukraine is a selfsufficient state. We can live very well. Meanwhile we are interfered with this.

Many talented young people are trained to be actors. Our land gives a huge amount of talent.

There is a problem — many people escape from here. They are going to the West. We must make such conditions, so that our citizens stay here.

The Ukrainian theatres have to go on tour abroad. I am often asked about this. We have what to show and there is a demand for our actors. The

theatre can show the world another Ukraine.

I have two advisers — my mother and wife.

Wives are changing, but the number of advisers remains the same.

My father did not apply for work instructions.

He spoke about the things of the technical field.

How to speak so that the voice sounds on the stage. Because if the words are not heard — it is a catastrophe.

Everyone does stupid things. They should not be talked about. The main thing is not to regret doing them.

Alina ARHYPOVA

BIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCE

Ostap STUPKA Ukrainian actor of theatre and cinema. Born in Lviv, on September 2, 1967, in the family of prominent Ukrainian actor Bohdan Stupka.

Mother Larysa Stupka is a soloist of the Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Kyiv Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Shevchenko.

He studied at the acting faculty of the Kyiv State Institute of Theatre Art named after Karpenko-Kary. A year after graduation began to work at the National Academic Drama Theatre named after Ivan Franko. He plays in theatres; he is filmed and works on television.

He has starred in almost half a hundred films.

He has the title of People’s Artist of Ukraine, the winner of the «Kyiv» Art Award named after Ambrose Buchma. He has become the best actor of the year in the «Person of the Year 2006» Award. In 2017, he received the Order of Merit of the III degree.

He loves wearing vyshyvankas (Ukrainian bordering cloth). He collects teapots and stamps. #6, November 2017

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STYLISH UKRAINE

Classic black and white suits and dresses are receding into the past.

Today, you can experiment with the colours and styles of clothing, while staying feminine and not going beyond the business style.

Designer Katya Silchenko is advising how to do this.

“One Should not be a Hostage to the Style. We Have Freedom of Choice.�

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The complete black and white colours in the business style are the legacy of the Soviet Union. If you look at what is happening in the world, it is immediately visible. As an example, Melania Trump. She constantly accompanies her husband on trips and has an elegant business image.

Melanie is feminine. She has almost all the colour palette besides black. Sometimes she can wear jeans and a jacket — and this is also a business style. We need to look for sources of inspiration and create our image.

How to choose the length of a skirt?

It all depends on the beauty of your legs.

Sometimes it would be desirable to wear a shorter one, but the style supposedly does not allow. You do not have to be a hostage to the style. We have freedom of choice. Midi length suits women very much. It is noble; this is not an office version to which everyone is accustomed. The business style often attributes knee-length skirt to women. However, it does not suit everyone. In addition, midi is suitable for almost all women.

The perfect image is when you put on a beautiful dress and choose a jacket to match it. In the evening, you do not have to waste time getting home. Take off your jacket, put on some extravagant earrings, shoes with higher heels, and you can safely go to meet friends or beloved one. The next day - this jacket can be worn with a blouse and a skirt. It is better to choose exactly such images.

Wearing trousers, most people are worried about how their hips look. And I pay more attention to the inguinal area. If there is excess weight, it is better to wear a jacket or an elongated blouse over the trousers; it may be a sweater, which will cover this area. If you are slim enough, you can choose any trousers — with a high waistline or a classic waist height.

A win-win is a blue shirt from cotton.

It looks great with jeans and a suit. It may be even a bit oversize. It looks very stylish and refreshes very well. Therefore, each woman must have a blue and white shirt, a light silk white blouse. Moreover, there is a shirt with puffed sleeves and wide cuffs that are put on over the head.

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STYLISH UKRAINE The smell of the body depends on the quality of the fabric. If you want the skin to breathe and there was no sense of sweat, you have to choose natural fabrics. Everything that touches the body — lingerie, wife-beaters and dresses should be made of natural fibers.

Neckline is a great taboo. Breast is not a luxury today. Almost every woman can aord it.

Top clothing for business style is a coat. Every year when I release new collections, I always make the basic ones, so that they fit into business style.

The coat is better to be made of cashmere. It completes the image. This is always a very good fabric. And everyone will notice it. The coat can be decorated with a small piece of fur.

For example, mink. The colours are beige, camel, graphite.

To preserve femininity in a business style, you need to know the peculiarities of your figure. Having a beautiful waist, you have to bring it out. Do not wear anything bulky on top, and a midi-skirt. And there will be a beautiful silhouette. If the hands are attractive, then there is no need to wear a jacket with a very long sleeve.

Let it be neat or a little higher. You can wear watches or some jewelry.

Alina ARHYPOVA held the conversation

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EVENTS INTERNATIONAL FORUM

“CREATIVE UKRAINE”

EVENTS

On October 19–20, 2017, an international forum “Creative Ukraine” took place in Kyiv in the premises of the Kyiv Academic Drama Theatre on Podol. The Forum was devoted to such topic as “Creative Economy as a Driving Force of Growth and Sustainable Development”.

Within two days, the representatives of Ukraine and the European Union were exchanging views on the development of a creative economy and its branches, which would have had an influence as positive factors on deeper integration of our state into a common European space. The importance of these priorities is highlighted by the serious representation from Ukraine and the European Union at this event. Vice Prime Minister Hennadii Zubko and Minister of Culture Yevhen Nyshchuk made the reports on the part of Ukraine. At the Forum, the European Union

was represented by Hugues Mingarelli, the Head of the Diplomatic Mission of the European Union to Ukraine, and the Director of Culture and Creativity Directorate of the European Commission, Michelle Manierre. Also, the forum was attended by the representatives of cultural institutions of Ukraine and the European Union.

Commenting on the work of the forum, Minister of Culture of Ukraine Yevhen Nyshchuk noted that

— ... this is the first forum in our country where the issues of the creative economy in its interaction with cultural institutions are discussed... After all, culture and economics are interconnected and

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EVENTS

our European partners help us use and develop this connection.

It should be noted separately that the Forum took place in a rather difficult period when we have certain misunderstandings in relationship with the neighbouring EU countries because of the Law on Education and that is exactly why, according to the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Ukraine, Nataliya Mykolska, the above mentioned Forum is extremely important for our state:

— …Such a meeting will definitely have influence as a positive factor

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in attracting investment into our economy... I do not think that the misunderstandings which were caused by the Law on Education will somehow interfere this...

The European participants of the Forum agree with Ukrainian officials. Mr. Philippe Kern, the Director General of KEA European Affairs (Brussels, Belgium) underlined that:

— ...Your country has a huge potential of the creative economy branch.

It is a pity that you do not use it to the full. I hope that our Forum

EVENTS

is a kind of road map for you with the correct placement of those guidelines that are necessary for building the right creative strategies.

The representative of Lithuania, the Director of the Bureau of Creative Europe at the Lithuanian Institute of Culture, Egle Deltuvaite, is confident that:

— ...usual for the EU countries tandem of creative economy and culture has to work and will certainly work in Ukraine... At least I believe in it...

The Head of the National Bureau of the EU program “Creative Europe” in Ukraine, Yuliya Fediv, emphasized

— ...the importance of introducing the representatives of Ukrainian cultural, creative and audiovisual industries in European networks and platforms in order to establish close contacts with European colleagues and develop joint innovation projects.

Editorial staff

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DIPLOMATIC CALENDAR

8-10

NOVEMBER

THE 26TH INTERNATIONAL FORUM «DAYS OF QUALITY IN KYIV ’2017» The venue: Kyiv, the Kyiv National Economic University named after V. Hetman Within the framework of the European Quality Week in Ukraine there will be a national event — the 26th International Forum “Days of Quality in Kyiv ’2017” dedicated to the World Quality Day, which will be held this year under the motto “Quality Transforms.”

The organizers of the Forum: the Ukrainian Association of Excellence and Quality, the Ukrainian Association for Quality, the Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs with the support of the Council of Entrepreneurs under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Kyiv National Economic University named after V. Hetman.

During the Forum, the modern approaches that are proper to the advanced companies of the developed European countries will be thoroughly considered. An analytical review of the problems that prevent Ukrainian organizations from being successful and compete equally with the EU companies will also be made.

15

UKRAINIAN BUSINESS FORUM The venue: Kyiv, Fairmont hotel

NOVEMBER

15

LEVEL UP UKRAINE 2017 The venue: Kyiv, Convention and Exhibition Centre “Parkovy”

NOVEMBER

21

The Ukrainian Business Forum is an event in the framework of which a conference with the best speakers and the program, which was designed specifically for capital and corporate management professionals, which has long proven itself as a leading business platform in the CIS for building business relationships and professional experience, will be held.

The annual International Business Forum LEVEL UP UKRAINE, created as a platform for communication between the state, businessmen and investors, is planning to bring together investors and venture capital funds from Ukraine, China and Europe under the same roof. The purpose of the forum is to create an effective platform for dialogue between business and government, investors and startups.

During the forum, the speeches of leading speakers from Ukraine, the USA, Germany and Switzerland are planned.

GROW UA CONFERENCE The venue: Kyiv, Convention and Exhibition Centre “Parkovy”

NOVEMBER

The main conference for small and medium business in Ukraine. All questions of the Conference and inspirational cases are taken from entrepreneurs basing on the real demand for these topics.

The Conference is devoted to the two main needs of the Ukrainian SME: the need for inspiration and the need for solving narrow issues.

Speakers are well-known motivational speakers who will tell about their business experience, cases, as well as forecasts for the nearest future and experts on certain issues that will provide practical advice on how Ukrainian entrepreneurs are to solve their issues.

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NOVEMBER/2017 22-24 NOVEMBER

INTERNATIONAL FORUM INNOVATION MARKET (IFІМ) The venue: Kyiv, the International Exhibition Centre The International Forum “INNOVATION MARKET” (IFІМ) is a meeting place of innovators, inventors, manufacturers of leading innovative technologies, authors of startup projects with the representatives of enterprises — potential consumers who are interested in technological updating of production processes, accelerators of investment projects, experts in various branches of economy, consultants in the field of intellectual property protection, representatives of authoritative investment and financial institutions of Ukraine and China, political leaders of Ukraine.

REMARKABLE DATES / INDEPENDENCE DAYS OF THE COUNTRIES Algerian Revolution Day Independence Day of Antigua and Barbuda

1

WE

3

FR

Kyiv Liberation Day

6

MO

9

TH

Independence Day of Angola Independence Day of Poland

SA

SU

WE

SA

Latvian Independence Day National Holiday of the Sultanate of Oman

22 WE

25 SA

Independence Day of Mauritania Independence Day of the Republic of East Timor Flag and Independence Day of the Republic of Albania

Constitution Day of Azerbaijan

15 18

Lebanese Independence Day

Independence Day of the Kingdom of Cambodia

11 12

Independence Day of Palestine Day of the Belgian Royal Dynasty

Independence Day of the Republic of Panama Independence Day of the Commonwealth of Dominica Independence Day of the Federated States of Micronesia

Memorial Day of Holodomor Victims Day of Independence Declaration of the Republic of Suriname

28 TU

29 WE

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People #6, November 2017

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13 DECEMBER, 1800 – 2300, FREEDOM EVENT HALL The purpose of the event is to unite nations for peace and prosperity through the knowledge of culture, history and traditions. Deepening international relations between Ukraine and the world. Exchange of diplomatic and cultural experience between different the countries.

“PARADE OF NATIONS” INTERNATIONAL CHARITABLE EVENT DEDICATED TO THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINIAN DIPLOMACY

THE ORGANIZER:

Participation in the International Charitable Event «Parade of Nations» by invitation only.

Tel: +38 /044/ 228 06 48, +38 /094/ 828 06 48 Email: ceo@fd.net.ua Facebook: www.facebook.com/ fashiondiplomacy