On April 5, 2011, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine in the Republic of Moldova Sergey Pirozhkov gave lecture in T.G. Shevchenko Pridnestrovien State University devoted to modern tendencies of Ukraine's foreign policy development. The lecture was attended by Rector of T.G. Shevchenko State University Stepan Beril, Deputy Foreign Minister of the PMR Sergey Simonenko, Director of the Institute of History, State and Law of the Pridnestrovien State University Ilya Galinsky, Chairman of the Union of Ukrainians of Pridnestrovie Leonid Tkachuk, representatives of scientific and expert community of Pridnestrovie, as well as students of humanitarian departments.
Sergey Pirozhkov told about the stages of Ukraine's foreign policy formation from the moment when it gained state independence. He paid attention to the fact that there had always been talks in Kiev about the importance of the European path of country's development, yet kept in mind other directions of cooperation. As Ambassador reported, after Viktor Yanukovich came to power, country's foreign policy course was adjusted towards “strategic balance”. Ukraine declared its non-aligned status and extended the term of Russian Black Sea Fleet presence in Crimea for the next 25 years. “This is a pragmatic policy which adequately meets national interests of the state”, stressed the diplomat. Presently, as it was noted by Sergey Pirozhkov, among Ukraine's fundamental foreign policy priorities are still European Union, Russia, and the USA, yet in Kiev an eye is kept on new world players from countries which were used to be referred to as the Third World. Earlier they could claim the role of major powers' satellites and suppliers of cheap workforce; today, however, they are growing into the source of new technologies in the field of economic development. Today Ukraine studies experience of growing economies of South-Eastern Asia countries – Singapore, China, Vietnam; no less perspective direction can become development of cooperation with countries of South America, and potential of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) is indicative of the fact that this organization can claim leading places in future world economy. Ambassador drew audience's attention to the fact that foreign policy of Ukraine seeks to single out its interests for the benefit of country's economic development.
On termination of the lecture, Sergey Pirozhkov answered questions of listeners which related to the issues of bilateral Ukraine-Moldova and Ukraine-Romania relations, as well as positions of Kiev in the Moldova-Pridnestrovie relations settlement. Sergey Pirozhkov stated that Ukraine as mediator and guarantor country stands for peaceful settlement of the conflict with regard to territorial integrity of Moldova and providing Pridnestrovie with special status. The diplomat told that for the purpose of a speedy settlement the sides need a dialogue at the highest level. At the same time, he characterized the strategy of “small steps” carried out in the framework of working and expert groups of Moldova and Pridnestrovie in non-political spheres of collaboration as a correct one.
Sergey Pirozhkov also told that one of the key directions of the foreign policy of Ukraine has been and remains the protection of Ukrainian citizens abroad. Ukraine is ready to protect its compatriots all around the world wherever they might be. To illustrate this, the diplomat cited as an example the operation on evacuation of citizens of Ukraine and some other countries from Libya recently carried out by the Ukrainian Naval Forces. In this context touching upon the policy of Ukraine along Pridnestrovien direction, the diplomat noted that Ukraine is more than anyone else interested in the speedy settlement of the Moldova-Pridnestrovie relations, since ten thousands of Ukrainians are residing here. He declared that in Kiev one is keeping watch on the fate of the Pridnestrovien Ukrainians and is always ready to render help. At the same time, Sergey Pirozhkov expressed satisfaction with the fact that rights of Ukrainian population are reliably protected in Pridnestrovie. The diplomat also expressed gratitude to the Pridnestrovien State University after T.G. Shevchenko for assistance in opening and successful functioning of the Pridnestrovien Centre of Ukrainian Language and Culture.
