Malaysia–Ukraine: Fair and Square Partnership

Abstract

The interview examines the achievements of bilateral relations of Ukraine and Malaysia since the establishment of the Embassy of Malaysia in Kyiv. It is stressed that Malaysia founded its diplomatic mission in Kyiv 15 years ago. At the nascent stage of cooperation, education was its most important component and catalyst of development due to many Malaysians pursuing studies in Ukraine. Nowadays, the Embassy changed the accent to popularization of Malaysia as an educational center for foreign students, including those from Ukraine. The Embassy is also increasingly focused on the development of tourism. From the beginning of 2019, Malaysia has offered a range of courses in a wide spectrum of reams conducted under the auspices of the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), an international cooperation programme ensuring training and technical consulting in crucially important realms for developing countries. It offers services, inter alia, in diplomacy and crisis management, courses on physical infrastructure, combating corruption, and the development of electric power and solar power stations as well as customs system. It is mentioned that bilateral trade turnover between Ukraine and Malaysia has increased for the last two years after stagnation. The accelerated increase in trade between Malaysia and Ukraine is partially driven by initiatives conducted by the Governments of Malaysia and Ukraine, with the assistance of Malaysian and Ukrainian business communities, to find common means for boosting cooperation. In January 2018, business meetings took place in Kuala Lumpur, organised with the assistance of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). The seminar brought together 19 Ukrainian companies and trade associations. It is stated that despite the signature of the 2007 Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Defense Sphere between Malaysia and Ukraine, activities of the two states in this realm are still limited. Key words: Malaysia, cooperation, tourism, education, turnover.