OREANDA-NEWS. July 09, 2010. President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych met with the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine in the Russian Federation Volodymyr Yelchenko. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Kostyantyn Gryshchenko also took part in the meeting.

Viktor Yanukovych expressed confidence that the activities of the new Ambassador of Ukraine to Russia will be effective and successful as Volodymyr Yelchenko has a broad experience of diplomatic work.

The President stressed that Russia is Ukraine's strategic partner, "with which we must build our relations accordingly." Therefore, the work of the Ambassador of Ukraine to Russia, of course, is special.

The President drew attention to the importance of further development of Ukrainian-Russian trade and economic cooperation. According to him, this year’s turnover between the two countries is expected to reach around USD35-37 billion. Viktor Yanukovych expressed hope that such a dynamic would only grow.

"You must consider that in your work... The Trade Mission of the Embassy will be subordinate to you. We will also reform it to perform the tasks on the agenda," he said, addressing the Ambassador.

At the meeting Viktor Yanukovych also stressed that Ukraine’s main task of today is to overcome the economic crisis caused by both the impact of global recession and by the legacy from the previous government.

"This crisis is also observable in virtually all areas of our relations with Russia. So I would like you to take that into account, too," he said.

From his part, Volodymyr Yelchenko thanked the President for the confidence. "This is a serious challenge. But it does not scare me. I will try to engage in work literally from the first hours after my appointment," he said, also expressing gratitude to Konstyantyn Gryshchenko for nominating him to the post of Ambassador.

The newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine in the Russian Federation expressed his belief that "Ukraine has no bigger partner than Russia" and assured that he will do his best to develop the bilateral relations.