COOPERATION OF NATIONAL PRODUCERS WITH FOREIGN PARTNERS
Many nations try to achieve economic prosperity through international business activities. Ukraine also encourages foreign trade and investment.
Most of Ukrainian trade is conducted with Russia and the European Union. The share of the EU in Ukraine’s foreign trade has reached 33% upon the accession to the Union of new Members-States.
Ukraine’s leading trade partners are: Russia, Germany, the USA, Italy, China, Turkey, The Czech Republic, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Poland, Bulgaria. Barter deals and export contracts make up 43% of the foreign trade turnover. Ukraine exports machinery and machine tools, ferrous metals and other steel products. At present its steel exports account for 46% of the country’s overall exports.
Ukraine imports 90% of its oil and most of its natural gas. Russia ranks as Ukraine’s principal supplier of oil and natural gas. Instead, Ukraine is transporting Russian gas to EU through its well-developed gas pipeline systems, being Europe’s vitally important connection. The country’s dependence on foreign gas supplies dramatically affects its economics and foreign policy. However, Ukraine is independent in its electricity supply, moreover, exporting it to Russia and other countries of Eastern Europe. This is achieved through a wide use of atomic energy and hydroelectricity.
LVIV REGION IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Since Ukraine became independent Lviv has grown into an international trading, scientific, cultural and industrial centre. Now there are the Consulates General of Poland and Russia, the Consulates of the Netherlands, Austria and Canada, representative offices of international air lines, transport companies, manufacturing and trading firms.
The region takes an active part in students, professors and scientific exchange programs with foreign educational and scientific institutions. Foreign musicians and theatre troupes often perform here and international art festivals are held.
In the domestic and international economic division and cooperation the region specializes in the machine-building, production of medical equipment and household appliances, manufacture of chemical and light industry products, wood and papermaking. It has also developed international transit transportation, recreation, scientific support and reforms in the agro industrial sector.
Lviv Region produces 4 per cent of the national income of Ukraine, many countries are involved in the stable and intensively developing foreign trade relations with the region.
Poland is one of the main trade partners of the Lviv region. The main export items are grain, organic and nonorganic chemical products, and steel products.
The region also exports buses, forklift trucks, auto cranes, industrial machinery and equipment, textile products and clothes, sugar, wheat, spirits, meat, various foodstuffs, wood and wood products, sulphur.
LVIV AS A CULTURAL AND TOURIST CENTRE OF UKRAINE
LVIV – THE PEARL OF WESTERN EUROPE
The city of Lviv was founded in the 13th century (1256) by King Danylo Halytcky and named in honor of his son Lev or Leo. Many foreign architectures participated in constructing the city, that’s why it’s very similar to many cities in Western Europe.
The mixture of architectural styles and epochs makes Lviv very attractive for tourists. The most popular architectural and historic sites in Lviv are Rynok Square, the Latin Cathedral of St. Maria, Uspenska (Assumption) Church, Dominican Cathedral, St. George’s Cathedral, Lychakiv Cemetery, High Castle, Lviv Opera House. Tourists are often taken to the air open museum “Shevchenkyvsky Huy (Grove)” , which keeps and shows the dwelling and way of life of Ukrainians from different regions within many centuries.
Lviv has a rich cultural life. It is concentrated in the M. Zankovetska Drama Theatre, Lviv Opera House, Lviv Philharmonic Society, numerous museums and art galleries. All this makes Lviv a truly cultural and tourist centre of Ukraine.
UKRAINE’S PLACE AND ROLE IN THE WORLD
Ukraine is a large country of Eastern Europe. It occupies a territory of 603, 700 square km, and has a favorable geographical position – at the crossroads from Asia to Europe. Since 1991 it has been an independent, sovereign state, trying to develop friendly relations with both western and eastern countries. Ukraine has established diplomatic relations with more than 170 states; diplomatic missions represent its interests in almost 80 countries.
At present Ukraine is a member of numerous international organizations and financial institutions. It’s one of the founding members of the UN. In 1992, Ukraine became a member of the IMF and the World Bank. It is a member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the World Trade Organization. In 1997 Ukraine became a Full Member of the World Tourism Organization.
Ukraine pursues a policy of peace. Lately it has been part of international peacemaking troops in different countries. Its mission as a peacemaker has been recognized by many countries of the world.
International relations of ukraine
Ukraine is trying to develop friendly relations with both western and eastern countries. A lot of foreign Embassies have appeared in Ukraine lately. Our country has wide relations with English-speaking countries, in particular with the UK, the US and Canada. There are embassies of these countries in Ukraine and our state has diplomatic missions there. Ukraine also maintains special relations with the Ukrainian Diaspora. There is Ministry for Diaspora in Ukraine. Diaspora helps Ukraine to build a democratic state and to develop its economy. Ukraine, in its turn, takes steps in order to consolidate the links of Diaspora with its Motherland.
In the sphere of economics Ukraine tries to use its natural and human potential to take part in international business and develop mutual economic collaboration. There are numerous joint ventures with the international capital in Ukraine: Sweden, American, British, German, Austrian, Polish, Check, Canadian, Russian, Chinese etc.
Many countries are also interested in scientific cooperation. Joint projects in different branches of science can favor further development of both science and economics.
Ukraine has very intensive exchange in culture and education. There’s exchange of students and scientists between Ukraine and many foreign countries. Our musicians and artists visit foreign countries with their concerts, performances and exhibitions, while foreign musicians and theatre troupes often perform here and international art festivals are held.
Besides, tourist exchange is very popular and wide. Many foreigners became more interested in our country after the Orange revolution.
RELATIONS OF UKRAINE AND THE EU
Relations between Ukraine and the European Union were established in December 1991, when the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands as the EU Presidency, on behalf of the Union officially recognized independence of Ukraine. The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Ukraine and the EU was signed on June, 16 , 1994. It established cooperation on a wide range of political, trade, economic and humanitarian issues.
Today the EU is the largest trade partner of Ukraine. Besides, the EU and Ukraine cooperate in the sphere of energy, agriculture and environment. The EU provides financial assistance for Ukraine in order to eliminate the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe. The EU and Ukraine maintain cooperation in the sphere of justice and home affairs, in particular on the issues of granting asylum, border management, fight against money laundering and illegal drug trafficking. The EU also recognizes an important role of Ukraine in providing security and stability on the continent. Ukraine is often invited to military training with the participation of the EU units.
In my opinion, the course on European integration is irreversible and remains the key priority of Ukraine’s foreign policy.
FOREIGN ECONOMIC POLICY OF UKRAINE
Nowadays Ukraine pursues the policy of integration into the world market. After the collapse of the Soviet Union Ukraine’s national industries showed low standards as compared to those of the developed countries. That’s why our country cannot export many of its products, but it can export raw materials, some manufactured goods, and agricultural products. Since Ukraine lacks fuel, it has to import natural gas and oil from eastern countries, mainly from Russia.
Today our country tries to organize joint enterprises with other foreign producers. It also encourages the creation of free economic zones (f.e. the famous “Kurortopolis Truskavets), and European transport corridors. The Ukrainian Government takes all efforts to develop Ukraine as a market economy.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN MODERN LIFE
People can get information from different sources – mere communication, newspapers, magazines, radio, television, phones, cell phones, the Internet.
Television is a great invention of XXth century. Cable and satellite have made television a global means of information – many channels are available worldwide.
Nowadays the most powerful information technology is the Internet. This global computer network, which embraces millions of users all over the world, began in the United States in 1969 as a military experiment. It was designed to survive a nuclear war.
Internet is very helpful, because it’s a huge database of knowledge. It provides information of different kinds and from different spheres. It’s very convenient and there are millions of users worldwide. People can make purchases on-line, pay their bills, buy tours and package holidays, they can make reservations in a hotel or book tickets. Internet provides every opportunity for people to communicate. You can send or receive e-mail, communicate through chats.
Internet is very helpful for students. One can use the electronic library, dictionaries or get distance education via the Internet. Since it is a powerful source of information, it enables students to conduct scientific researches. They can take part in web-conferences and exchange experience.
Internet is widely used in business. It helps to establish business contacts, find new partners and keep in touch. E-commerce speeds up business transactions, f.e.worldwide bank pay system SWIFT.
However, the Internet has some disadvantages. The main one is that it has no limits and control for some sorts of information, f.e. false information, porno-production, some dangerous files: worms, troyan and other viruses.
THE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Since language is a means of communication and transferring information, information technologies are very helpful and important in learning foreign languages.
TV programs and video and DVD devices play an important role in the process of learning a foreign language, because they provide materials with natural flow of speech and lively situations. TV news programs provide learners with updated information and can be used for initiating classrooms discussions.
The Internet is also widely used in learning a foreign language, as it is a rich source of authentic materials and special learning materials. Learners can also communicate and improve their speaking skills via text chat or email. There are virtual world schools designed as an alternative to physical schools that provide distant language education. There are also support websites, a reference area for language teachers. They help teachers develop new competences and innovative practices.
Besides, there are lots of computer programs and computer assisted materials for learning a foreign language. They provide different kinds of exercises with self-check options, audio-dialogs and video materials. An exclusive, very helpful option of computers is a speech-recognition. By means of it a learner can practice and check his pronunciation.
OUTSTANDING PEOPLE OF UKRAINE
Ukraine’s history is rich in outstanding people, that influenced the development of the whole nation. Among outstanding scientists we can mention Volodymyr Vernadsky, who was a founder of the modern doctrine on the biosphere, and Yevhen Paton, who was the first to apply the electro-welding in bridge constructions. Alexander Potebnia is the world known linguist, folklorist, and literary scholar of the XIX century, and Alexander Bohomolets, the founder of a large school of pathophysiologists in the XX c., made a great contribution to the development of the world medicine.
The development of the Ukrainian state is closely connected with such names as Bohdan Khmelnytsky, Pylyp Orlyk, Mykhailo Hrushevsky. Bohdan Khmelnytsky, Hetman of the Zaporozhian Host from 1648 to 1657, headed the national revolution, which resulted in creation of the Cossak Hetman State of the Zaporozhian Host (1648-1782). Pylyp Orlyk was the author of the first Ukrainian Constitution. Mykhailo Hrushevsky became the first president of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, proclaimed in 1917.
Taras Shevchenko, Ivan Franko, Lesya Ukrainka are universally recognized literary workers whose works contributed to the development of both Ukrainian and world literature.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST INDUSTRY IN UKRAINE
The specific geographical position and landscapes, favorable climatic conditions, rich historical, cultural and recreational potential make Ukraine a popular tourist destination. Tourism in Ukraine is a new industry, it’s just entering the market. State authorities facilitate the development of tourism sector. In 1993 the State Committee on tourism was established and the Law “On tourism” was adopted.