22:30 Official delegation from Sweden visited Mariupol State University | |
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Mariupol State University hosted the visit of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Sweden in Ukraine Mr. Andreas von Beckerath together with his wife Anna Rinder von Beckerath on May 16th. Such an attention paid by the heads of diplomatic missions of foreign countries to the university is not surprising, but still very valuable and honorable. Ambassador, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Jan Tombinski, the ambassadors of the USA, France, Sweden, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania and the Czech Republic visited the university last year. The Embassy delegation was traditionally greeted by MSU students dressed in Ukrainian national costumes with bread and salt. Rector of Mariupol State University, Professor, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Cyprus in Mariupol Kostyantyn Balabanov gave a tour of the university right after the honorary guests arrived. The delegation visited the EU Information Centre, The Library of Hellenistic Studies "Konstantinos Leventis", Institute of Ukrainian-Greek friendship and Hellenic Studies, and Italian Cultural Center. These facilities were opened with support of foreign partners of the University. Andreas von Beckerath was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Sweden in Ukraine in September, 2013. Previously, he worked at the Embassy of Sweden in London, Berlin, Moscow, Bucharest and as member of the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the UN, also he worked as European correspondent for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden. Kostyantyn Balabanov, while introducing the Ambassador, said that he is highly professional, experienced, talented diplomat and expressed confidence that stable business and friendly relations between MSU and Sweden universities, research institutions, NGOs will be established under his auspices. Andreas von Beckerath confirmed his readiness to support Mariupol State University on its way towards the development of cooperation with Swedish partners. In addition, he expressed his views on the process of successful European integration of Ukraine and asked the students about their views on the future of Ukraine, on corruption issue in the country lasting for the past two years, and also asked if they are planning to stay in Mariupol after graduation. Students, in their turn, asked the honorable guest about his estimation of the results of the anti-corruption campaign in Ukraine and financial assistance for reforms in the country the EU is ready to provide. Having visited the university, Andreas von Beckerath made a memorable entry in the book of honorable guests of Mariupol State University which said: "I am struck by the fact that the university pays great attention to the gender equality and European integration issues, as they are of a great importance for Sweden and serve as a basis of support provided to Ukraine. I am optimistic towards the future of Ukraine, because of two reasons: its youth and civil society. " | |
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