Relations with cis states

Ukraine maintains peaceful and constructive relations with all its neighbors; it has especially close ties with Russia and Poland. Relations with the former are complicated by energy dependence and by payment arrears. However, relations have improved with the 1998 ratification of the bilateral Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. Also, the two sides have signed a series of agreements on the final division and disposition of the former Soviet Black Sea Fleet that have helped to reduce tensions. Ukraine became a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on December 8, 1991, but in January 1993 it refused to endorse a draft charter strengthening political, economic, and defense ties among CIS members. Ukraine was a founding member of GUAM (Georgia-Ukraine-Azerbaijan-Moldova).

Diplomatic missions of Ukraine

In 1999-2001, Ukraine served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Historically, Soviet Ukraine joined the United Nations in 1945 as one of the original members following a Western compromise with the Soviet Union, which had asked for seats for all 15 of its union republics. Ukraine has consistently supported peaceful, negotiated settlements to disputes. It has participated in the quadripartite talks on the conflict in Moldova and promoted a peaceful resolution to conflict in the post-Soviet state of Georgia. Ukraine also has made a substantial contribution to UN peacekeeping operations since 1992.

Leonid Derkach (chairman of the SBU, which is Ukraine's security service, successor to the KGB) was fired due to Western pressure after he organized the sale of radar systems to Iraq while such sales were embargoed.

International disputes

1997 boundary treaty with Belarus remains un-ratified due to unresolved financial claims, stalling demarcation and reducing border security; delimitation of land boundary with Russia is complete but the parties have agreed to defer demarcation; maritime boundary through the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait remains unresolved despite a December 2003 framework agreement and on-going expert-level discussions; Moldova and Ukraine have established joint customs posts to monitor transit through Moldova's break-away Transnistria Region which remains under OSCE supervision; Ukraine and Romania have taken their dispute over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary to the ICJ for adjudication; Romania opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea.

Australia

Relations with Australia are currently modest but increasing. In march 2003 Ukraine opened an embassy in Canberra. While the Australian embassy in Moscow is accredited to Ukraine. Australia And Ukraine have one bilateral treaty on agreement and economical cooperation. This treaty was signed in March 1998

Relations between ukraine and english-speaking countries

Ukraine has wide relations with English-speaking countries. Our country has diplomatic relations with many countries, including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and Canada. There are embassies of these countries in Ukraine and our state has diplomatic mis­sions in them.

The relations of Ukraine with English-speaking coun­tries include political, economical and cultural spheres.

The visits of the diplomats of different ranks be­came frequent among our countries. Many different commissions were organized, the main aim of which are discussing and solving different problems of com­mon interests. The visits of the ministers of foreign affairs of Ukraine and these countries become more and more regular.

Ukraine and English-speaking countries are interested in the mutual collaboration. Many joint ventures exist where the partners are from different states. The goods produced in these joint ventures are sold in Ukraine and some of them are sold in these countries.

Our countries are also interested in scientific co­operation. Ukraine has many highly developed up-to-date technologies and scientific investigations which are of great importance for our foreign partners. Joint pro­jects in different branches of science can favour fur­ther development of science in general.

Ukraine also has very intensive exchange in culture and education.

Besides it the tourist exchange is also very popular and wide. Such intensive exchange between Ukraine and English-speaking countries exists due to learning English in the majority of schools, colleges and univer-sitjes of our country.

Very many people of Ukrainian origin live in differ­ent countries, including English-speaking states. We do our best to establish special relations with them. There is a Ministry for Diaspora in Ukraine. Some members of Ukrainian Diaspora hold important posts and are ac­tive in political life of other states. The diaspora is not a single whole. There are various trends and groupings within it.

In 1991, well organized community of Canadian Ukrainians together with numerous guests and the citi­zens of the maple leaf country celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first Ukrainian settlement in Canada. Nowadays more than one million of Ukrainians live in Canada. They do everything in their power in order to preserve their native culture and language. Diaspora helps Ukraine to create a new democratic state and to develop its economy. Ukraine, in its turn, takes steps in order to consolidate the links of Diaspora with its Motherland.