KYIV. Sept 24 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The office of Kharkiv region intended for lobbying social, humanitarian and commercial interests of the region at all levels has been opened in Washington.
U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday that the office was created under the initiative of Kharkiv Regional Administration with support of the U.S. Embassy to Ukraine, the U.S.-Ukraine foundation and NGO GloBee International Agency for Regional Development.
He said that leaders of Kharkiv region today are focusing on the idea of reforms and the building of new democratic institutions. These are critically important conditions for economic growth, and if the course is observed, Kharkiv region would be in the lead of the economic development of independent and integrated Ukraine, he said.
“The U.S. will be a partner in the process,” the diplomat said.
In turn, Head of Kharkiv Regional Administration Ihor Rainin said that today Kharkiv residents selected the European and U.S. way of development.
“I could assure that the office will operate on the permanent basis. We’re considering the U.S. as a partner, the partner, without which it would be difficult to conduct reforms,” he said.
The office with six employees (among whom is Robert A. McConnell, former Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice and former Vice President of CBS Corporation) is located in the center of Washington.
