Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends of Ukraine,

Australia is a special international partner for Ukraine. Our friendly and growing relationship is historically based on strong and vibrant community of almost 40 000 Australians whose identity is been of Ukrainian origin.

Since diplomatic relations between independent Ukraine and Australia were established in 1992 our countries work together constructively  in various spheres of mutual interests.

Ukraine is sincerely grateful to Australia for consistent and strong support of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, in particular for practical assistance provided to Ukrainian Armed Forces. Our peoples have been brought even closer together in the aftermath of the MH17 tragedy.

However, the existing level of Ukraine-Australia contacts and cooperation is far from the optimal one.

I see this unique event — the first-ever Ukraine-Australia Bilateral Relations Forum “OzUke20l5”— as an exceptional opportunity to reveal the significant potential of practical cooperation between our nations.

Even now, at quite difficult and challenging time, Ukraine offers tremendous opportunities for investors. It is the right time and place to invest in Ukraine and winners are those who enter the promising market first.

We do need to give an important impulse to cooperation between Ukraine and Australia in trade and economics and I encourage you to regard this Forum as an excellent opportunity for the beginning of efficient interaction and cooperation with the Ukrainian Government and Ukrainian companies.

Petro POROSIIENKO