Your Excellency Puan Kamsiah Kamaruddin, Undersecretary for Europe, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, 

Dato’ Jalaluddin Kasim, Honorary Consul of Ukraine

Puan Nisha, Representing Putrajaya Botanical Garden,

Miss Liubov Shlapai, President of Ukrainian Cultural Association in Malaysia,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Selamat datang to Putrajaya and a very good morning!

First of all, I would like to extend my words of appreciation to Wisma Putra and Putrajaya Botanical Garden for supporting our initiative and hosting today’s event.

I would like to particularly acknowledge our guest of Honour, Puan Kamsiah  and all friends from the Department of Europe that took time out of their extremely busy schedules to be here with us today.  We really appreciate it! 

24 of August is a special day for all Ukrainians. On this day, 26 years ago, in the wake of the attempted coup in Moscow, Verkhovna Rada (The Parliament) of Ukraine declared our Independence.  Later in December 1991 the people of Ukraine overwhelmingly endorsed this decision during the nationwide referendum.  

Even though Ukraine was the only country of the 15 ex-Soviet Republics that transitioned to independence peacefully, without a bloodshed, in recent years we learned a hard lesson that freedom always comes at a price. More than 10,000 of my compatriots lost their lives and 1,5 mln. became refugees as a result of undeclared war imposed on us by a ruthless aggressor. Today my country stands at the forefront of freedom and democracy not just for Ukraine, but also for the whole world.    

Ladies and gentlemen!

The month of August has also a particular significance for Malaysia. As we feel the vibe of the spectacular SEA Games, we wish all Malaysians peace and prosperity and a Selamat Merdeka!       

We are deeply grateful to Malaysia for its strong support of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Looking back at the 25 years of friendship, I am very proud to say that the relations between our nations, tried and true, go from strength to strength.  We have been working very closely in the United Nations, including as non-permanent members of the Security Council, truly realizing the principle  bersatu teguh, becerai roboh!

Our unwavering resolve to seek justice for the victims of MH17, growing volumes of bilateral trade and increasing number of people-to-people contacts manifest  a new level of bilateral cooperation, launched by the historic visit of President Petro Poroshenko to Malaysia in August last year.

Dear friends!

I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words to my fellow Ukrainians.

Шановні співвітчизники!

Сьогодні ми відзначаємо 26-ту річницю дати, яка в останні кілька років набула особливого змісту для кожного українця. Не забуваймо наших братів і сестер, які дорогою ціною, часто ціною власного життя, виборюють право кожного з нас належати до числа вільних людей. Шануймо Малайзію – країну, яка для багатьох із вас стала другою домівкою.  Миру вам, щастя, злагоди та достатку! Слава Україні!

Ladies and gentlemen!

From now on, a chestnut tree – a symbol of Kyiv, capital of Ukraine, and hibiscus – a national flower of Malaysia will grow here together as a testimony to the long-lasting friendship between our countries.

May I invite our guest of honor to join me in planting the trees to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Malaysia, the 26^th Anniversary of Independence of Ukraine and the 60^th Anniversary of Independence of Malaysia.   

Thank you very much!    Terima kasih banyak!