Using all possible means, we will bring them to justice even if it takes months, years and even decades, says Ukraine's new ambassador.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Ukraine have cemented an agreement to set up a joint commission to expand cooperation in the military-technical sphere, says Ukraine’s new ambassador to Malaysia, Olexander Nechytaylo.

He said that the move was discussed and agreed in a meeting held between Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko with Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein when the president made his maiden visit to Malaysia in August.

“The defence cooperation has been an area where both countries have been working together with, for quite sometime now … and with the latest high-level visit, both sides are making the move into a reality,” he told Bernama.

The newly appointed ambassador said that the defence ministries of both countries were currently focusing on the preparations to organise the commission’s first meeting and would soon appoint co-chairs from both sides as agreed.

In line with the enhanced cooperation, Nechytaylo said that Ukraine was also keen to share with Malaysia its expertise in military equipment and latest aircraft development and technology.

The ambassador highlighted that the commission would benefit both countries, pointing out that it was also in line with the Ukrainian government’s policy to intensify interaction with Malaysia in the defence and military sector.

Nechytaylo, who presented his credentials to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on July 18, said that he will strive to further deepen Malaysia-Ukraine diplomatic and bilateral relations.

“The most important ‘work’ for me now is to keep the relations close in order for us to find the perpetrators responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. Using all possible means, we will bring them to justice even if it takes months, years and even decades,” he said.

The Boeing B777 aircraft, which was travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur and carrying 298 passengers, including crew, was shot down over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014.

On people-to-people contact, the ambassador said that he would want to engage and employ both government and private sectors to attract more Ukrainians to Malaysia and vice versa.

And as both nations have agreed to expedite the setting up of a joint trade commission to enhance two-way business and trade potentials, the envoy said that his work priority would also be on how to set up initial networks, which could be distinctly extended in creating more businesses and trade agreements.

Malaysia, which is currently Ukraine’s top 10 trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region, established diplomatic ties with Ukraine on March 3, 1992 and have since enjoyed friendly and cordial relations.