While in Chicago O.Motsyk met with the representatives of the business circles of Chicago and informed of the pace of systemic reforms to modernize Ukraine’s economy, export and investment potential of our country as well as the most promising areas of practical Ukraine-U.S. cooperation.

Also, Ambassador Motsyk held a meeting with Ukrainian community of Chicago, which is the largest in the U.S., wherein he elaborated on the situation in Ukraine along with priorities of foreign policy of our country, the status of erecting in Washington DC a monument to commemorate Holodomor victims of 1932-1933 in Ukraine and measures taken to renovate the area adjacent to Taras Shevchenko monument in the U.S. capital. A number of issues was also discussed including implementation of a State program to support Ukrainians abroad, a status of a Ukrainian abroad, activities of Ukrainian “Saturday” schools in the United States. The Ambassador extended his thanks to the Ukrainian Community of Chicago for its valuable support of Ukraine’s European integration.

During his visit to Chicago Mr.Motsyk was interviewed by a local Ukrainian newspaper “Chas i Podiyi” (The Time and The Events) where he shared his views on the current Ukraine’s image abroad, his thoughts about further development and deepening of Ukraine-U.S. cooperation in humanitarian, cultural and economic spheres.  

Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. also met with the President of «Pritzker Group» firm D.Pritzker to talk about specific areas of cooperation with one of the leading investment companies not only in Chicago, but also of the Midwestern United States, as «Pritzker Group» announced its plans to make considerable investments in Ukraine’s agriculture.

A highlight of the Ambassador’s visit to Chicago was his speech delivered at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The Ukrainian diplomat informed the audience of the key reforms carried out in the Ukrainian society (first of all, in the sphere of economy, retirement system, national legislation, etc.), as well as European integration of our country and Ukraine’s activities in the major international organizations such as the UN and the OSCE. O.Motsyk expressed a high opinion of the current level of Ukraine-U.S. cooperation in various spheres focusing on such promising areas of bilateral partnership as development of unconventional energy resources, agriculture, IT, R&D and innovations.    

O.Motsyk confirmed that our country’s ultimate goal is European integration and emphasized Ukraine’s interest in further fostering strategic Ukraine-U.S. partnership as well as development of good neighbor and win-win relationship with the Russian Federation.

The Ambassador’s speech concluded with a Q&A session wherein O.Motsyk elaborated on the current status and prospects for Ukraine’s economy development including measures to support local producers, further improvement of investment and business climate in the country, strengthening of export potential of Ukraine.

Photo courtesy of Maksym Prokopiv