On Thursday, 24 October 2024, the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv hosted the presentation of the 25th-anniversary issue of the Diplomatic Ukraine scientific yearbook and other brand products of the GDIP in conjunction with a diplomatic reception on the occasion of the Institute’s 80th jubilee.

The celebration of the milestone events in Ukraine’s diplomatic sphere brought together representatives of 23 foreign embassies and 5 international organisations, veterans of the diplomatic service, scholars from different parts of the world, civil society, student community, and journalists.

Director of the ESIIR of the Taras Shevchenko National University Valerii Kopiika, who moderated the event, greeted the guests and paid respect to Ukrainian soldiers who protect Ukrainian skies, giving everyone else a chance to observe such jubilees. He announced a minute of silence in the presentation hall in memory of the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

The presentation began with the opening addresses of Volodymyr Buhrov — rector of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, PhD in Philosophy, full professor, Yevhen Perebyinis — Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, and Pavlo Kryvonos — Director-General of the State Enterprise ‘Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions’, second-class Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

Volodymyr Buhrov congratulated the guests on the Institute’s landmark events and commended the high level of professionalism of the GDIP:

‘Our friendship with the Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions has withstood the test of decades. The Directorate-General displays a high level of hospitality towards everyone who comes to Ukraine to represent their countries.’ Mr Buhrov also made a brief historical overview, covering the post-WWII period of the University’s development and the foundation of the Department of International Relations.’

Yevhen Perebyinis spoke about the Ukrainian MFA’s initiative to draw the young generation into the diplomatic service and highlighted the professional significance and reputability of the publications in the library of the scientific yearbook:

‘Over a quarter-century, the Diplomatic Ukraine scientific yearbook has turned into an invaluable platform for discussions and meetings of specialists, diplomats, and our international partners. However, it is just as crucial that this book also gives the floor to the veterans of the diplomatic service, creating an invaluable chronicle of Ukrainian diplomacy, which remains important nowadays, especially now, amidst russian aggression and propaganda.’

Pavlo Kryvonos began his speech by congratulating the Institute on its 80th anniversary and thanking the guests who came to share in the joy of the release of the anniversary issue of the scientific yearbook:

‘It is delightful that we came together to celebrate both this anniversary and the quarter-century jubilee of the Diplomatic Ukraine scientific yearbook. This year, a large part of the yearbook’s contents consists of the alumni’s recollections about their Institute, and we believe that those memoirs of the active participants of the diplomatic process have already become a part of Ukraine’s institutional history.’

Mr Kryvonos also paid respect to the memory of the yearbook’s inspirator and founder Anatolii Denysenko, who oversaw the publication of 20 issues of the Diplomatic Ukraine in his lifetime. The GDIP Director-General also expressed gratitude to our defenders who are keeping Ukrainian society safe.

Members of the foreign diplomatic corps, including Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, delivered speeches in honour of significant events in Ukraine’s diplomatic life and as a testament to the robust international support for our country. Among them were Seymur Gurban oglu Mardaliyev (Azerbaijan), Arief Muhammad Basalamah (Indonesia), Antonio Gazzanti Pugliese di Cotrone (Sovereign Order of Malta; dean of the Diplomatic Corps), Nadir Khan (Pakistan), and Elena Leticia Mikusinski (Argentina).

Antonio Gazzanti Pugliese di Cotrone highlighted the importance, professionalism, and competence of the GDIP and the ESIIR in his remarks:

‘I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the leadership and entire team of the GDIP on this important milestone — the publication of the 25th edition of the annual scientific yearbook. I also wish to express my gratitude to the Scientific Institute of International Relations for training young specialists in international affairs.’

Seymur Gurban oglu Mardaliyev noted the close collaboration with the Institute and the Directorate-General in his address:

‘As an educational and research centre, the Institute makes a significant contribution to developing Ukraine’s human capital in international relations and foreign policy. This contribution is especially vital today, as Ukraine engages actively in foreign policy and defends itself on the diplomatic front. I extend my heartfelt congratulations on the 25th edition of Diplomatic Ukraine to the Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions, Mr Pavlo Kryvonos, its General Director, and the entire team.’

Ukrainian ambassadors, veteran diplomats, and scholars also acknowledged the value of the ESIIR and the academic prestige of Diplomatic Ukraine in their congratulatory remarks. Notable speakers included: Vasyl Bodnar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Türkiye; Leonid Huberskyi, Chair of the Academic Council of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv; Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Serhii Pyrozhkov, Borys Tarasiuk, Volodymyr Ohryzko, Ihor Kharchenko, Mykola Kulinich, Oleh Shamshur; Viktoriia Krykun, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor; Anastasiia Moskalenko, second-year Master’s student.

Following the official speeches, a diplomatic reception allowed guests to exchange their impressions. At the event’s close, participants received a signature GDIP calendar and business planner featuring essential reference information about the diplomatic corps.