Updated: 6/4/2013
Visit of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cyprus in Ukraine to KSU
Due to the celebration of Europe Days-2013 inUkraineon the 20th of May, 2013 an honorable guest Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of theRepublicofCyprusin Ukraine Evagoras Vrionidis attendedKhersonStateUniversity. His meeting with representatives of the administration and students of the University was initiated and organized by EUi at KSU and International Relations Office of the University.
Rector of KSU Professor Aleksandr Khodosovtsev, First Vice-Rector Professor Aleksandr Spivakovsky and the Head of International Relations Office, Coordinator of Information Centre of EU at KSU Evgeniya Spivakovska were present at the meeting with Mr. Evagoras Vrionidis. A friendly and practical atmosphere was there. Further cooperation aspects between KSU and higher educational establishments ofCypruswere discussed during the conversation. Students’ cultural exchange, research and other scientific activities with leading universities of theRepublicofCypruswithin the signing of bilateral agreements in the field of education will become a basis for cooperation. During the conversation with Cypriot guest Rector Aleksandr Hodosovtsev said: "We are always open for new international contacts. We hope that this visit will grow into a strong partnership between KSU and Universities of theRepublicofCyprus."
As a result of these discussions Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of theRepublicofCyprusin Ukraine Evagoras Vrionidis supported the idea of establishment of humanitarian cooperation and offered to make the first contact with Technological University of Cyprus. Consequently, a draft of the agreement on cooperation connected to establishment of cultural and scientific cooperation based on common interests was prepared. This agreement includes exchange of professors, students, mutual participation in research projects and information exchange, research documentation and publications, joint management of thesis.
However, during the visit, Evagoras Vrionidis gave an open lecture to the students of KSU. The First Vice-Rector of KSU, Professor Aleksander Spivakovsky commenting the lecture, which was in English, underlined that: "The speed and efficiency with the help of which an exchange of information is made, does not give us the right to delay and burden the processes of communication with an additional link – interpretation. Therefore, it is understandable why the working language of current meeting is English. And we are convinced, in that, when our students kept the conversation going at the appropriate level. "
In particular, during the lecture the Ambassador focused on aspects of the political system of theRepublicofCyprusand its historical, cultural, and economic features. He said that the friendly relations betweenUkraineandCyprushave existed for a long time. The Embassy of Cyprus inUkrainewas opened in 2011 inKiev. Opening of the Embassy of theRepublicofCyprusinUkrainereflects the depth and diversity of relations betweenCyprusandUkrainein cultural, economic and political spheres that is why students and lecturers of KSU had trainings many times at theEasternMediterraneanUniversityinFamagusta. TheRepublicofCypruswas among the first countries that recognised the independence ofUkrainein 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of theRepublicofCyprusin Ukraine Evagoras Vrionidis is the head of the above-mentioned Embassy from the time of its opening till now. Today 1 Embassy and 2 Consulates of theRepublicofCyprus(inSimferopolandOdessa) work inUkraine. Just this country allows the entrance into the European Union in terms of obtaining a visa through the Internet, it can be done just in a few hours.
The broadest resonance among the students was caused by a story about education and learning environment at the universities ofCyprus. After the lecture, students asked Ambassador some questions about admissions to educational institutions and living at theislandofCyprus.
By the end of the meeting the organizer, head of International Relations Office, Coordinator of EUi at KSU E.O. Spivakovska, shared her impressions: "Mr. Vrionidis is satisfied with communication with our students. During his visit, he saw a sincere interest of KhersonStateUniversityin further strengthening of our mutual relationships. Therefore, the intention is to continue our cooperation, such as implementing programs of mutual students’ exchange.
It should be noted that the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of theRepublicofCyprusin Ukraine Evagoras Vrionidis visitedKhersonfor the first time, and was pleasantly surprised by the potential of our region. The Ambassador said: "The Embassy of theRepublicofCyprusis ready to cooperate withKhersonregion in the sphere of tourism and hopes that in futureKhersonairport will accept planes and work and tourists from theRepublicofCypruswill visitKherson."
So we hope to have a close and fruitful collaboration between KSU and the best universities of theRepublicofCypruswith the support of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cyprus Republic in Ukraine Evagoras Vrionidis.