On 14 June 2016, the Ambassador of Malaysia to Ukraine, His Excellency Datuk Ayauf Bachi, presented his Letters of Credence to the President of Ukraine. His Excellency Petro Poroshenko. His Excellency Datuk Ayauf Bachi is the fourth Ambassador of Malaysia to Ukraine.
During the conversation with President Poroshenko at the Credentials ceremony, Datuk Ayauf Bachi gave his assurance that he would make all effort to further deepen and widen the current state of Malaysia-Ukraine bilateral relations. In addition, he expressed confidence that Ukraine would continue to move forward progressively under President Poroshenko’s able stewardship.
President Poroshenko, in turn, highlighted the importance that Ukraine attaches to its bilateral relations with Malaysia. He believed that both countries have a lot of potential and resources to be explored with a view to enhancing bilateral cooperation. In particular, Ukraine is keen to enhance defence cooperation with Malaysia by sharing its expertise in military equipment and aircraft development. President Poroshenko further recalled the tragic incident of the downing of MH17 in 2014 wherein the Embassy of Malaysia in Kiev was the first diplomatic mission that he had visited to convey his condolences and sympathy. He also recorded appreciation for Malaysia’s support to Ukraine’s successful bid as the Non-Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 2016-2017. Finally, President Poroshenko expressed his hope to undertake a visit to Malaysia in the near future.
Datuk Ayauf Bachi joined the administrative and diplomatic service of Malaysia in 1986. Prior to his assignment to Ukraine, Datuk Ayauf Bachi was the Ambassador of Malaysia to Peru from 2011 to January 2016. Datuk Ayauf Bachi had held senior positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the Undersecretary of Consular Division and Deputy Chief of Protocol. He also served twice at Malaysia’s diplomatic missions in China, as the Malaysian Trade Commissioner in Beijing from 1994 to 1999 and as the Malaysian Consul General in Kunming from 2004 to 2008.
Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Ukraine was formally established on 3 March 1992 and since then both countries have enjoyed friendly and cordial relations. Closer cooperation between Malaysia and Ukraine has been further forged following the unfortunate incident of the downing of the Malaysia Airlines aircraft Flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine on 17 July 2014.
PUTRAJAYA
15 June 2016
