Ukraine Looks Into Possibility Of Establishing Links

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- Ukraine is looking at the possibility of
establishing links between the Ukrainian News Information Agency and its
counterpart, the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) to promote better ties
between Kuala Lumpur and Kiev.

Its Ambassador to Malaysia, Ihor Humennyi, said he would communicate this
matter to his government.

He said it was important to promote relations on all aspects, such as
people-to-people relations, trade, investment, tourism, culture, sports and
education.

To achieve this, Humennyi said the media had an important role to play,
among others, and could help in providing better information and understanding
between the peoples of the two countries.

"It is better if we can have some direct links...can enrich the flow of
information," he told Bernama after calling on Bernama's editor-in-chief
Yong Soo Heong at Wisma Bernama here Monday.

Also present at the hour-long meeting were senior editors of Bernama.

The Ukrainian News Information Agency entered the Ukrainian information
market in 1993 and now offers a line of 27 information and analytical products
in Russian, Ukrainian and English.

On the people-to-people relations, Humennyi said about 3,000 Ukrainians
visited Malaysia last year and more than 1,000 Malaysians visited Ukraine,
Europe's second largest country after Russia.

"We need to work harder (to enhance people-to-people relations)," the
ambassador said.

Currently, there are about 1,000 Malaysian students in Ukraine, mainly
studying medicine.

Ukraine gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991
and has a population exceeding 45 million people.

Malaysia was among the first countries in Asia which recognised the
independence of Ukraine in 1992.