All news

Australia plans to open embassy in Ukraine in February 2015

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said his country had a temporary diplomatic mission in Kiev and planned to open its embassy in February next year
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott EPA/M.A.PUSHPA KUMARA
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott
© EPA/M.A.PUSHPA KUMARA

TOKYO, December 11. /TASS/. Australia will open its embassy in Ukraine in February 2015, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Thursday at a meeting with visiting Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

Abbott said his country had a temporary diplomatic mission in Kiev and planned to open its embassy in February next year.

Poroshenko, in turn, invited the Australian prime minister to visit Ukraine next year.

Military assistance

Australia will render assistance to Ukraine’s armed forces worth more than $2 million, the press service of the Ukrainian head of state said on Thursday, citing Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

“Poroshenko thanked Australia for its financial assistance of $100 million that Ukraine will receive within the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and for assistance to the Ukrainian army. Tony Abbott informed about the decision to render assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces to a sum of over $2 million,” the press service said.

The sides also discussed Australia’s possible participation in a donor conference on Ukraine due to be held in Brussels next year.

Another topic on the agenda was possible supplies of Australian uranium and coal to Ukraine.

Poroshenko's visit to Australia

The Ukrainian president arrived in Australia on December 10. The press service of the Ukrainian head of state said that Poroshenko was scheduled to visit Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. The program of his visit includes talks with Australian Governor General Peter Cosgrove and with members of the Australian working group for investigating into the crash of Malaysia’s MH-17.

Apart from that, Poroshenko is expected to meet with leader of the Labour Party Bill Shorten and representatives of Australia’s business circles.