Despite Ukraine’s political and economic crisis, French companies are not going to leave the nation’s market, French ambassador to Ukraine Alain Remy, 61, said in an interview with the Kyiv Post.
Businesses from France have been in constant consultation with the ambassador ever since the protests started on Nov. 21 that led to the EuroMaidan Revolution, Remy said he hopes to have more free time in the future, after the situation in the country becomes more stable.
However, he adds that will not advertise Ukraine as a good place for investment unless the new government succeeds in making the business climate more favorable.
Ukraine is expected to sign a wide-ranging trade deal with the European Union after the May 25 presidential election. Once it does, it Ukraine will have a unique chance to enter a market of 500 million people. “Your country, probably, will face some economic problems in the nearest future, but afterwards you will only grow,” the French ambassador predicted.
Ukraine has received substantial support globally in response to Russia’s ongoing military aggression and annexation of Crimea. A sign of global goodwill came when the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly demonstrated solidarity with Kyiv’s plight.
“France supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity,” emphasized Remy.
Russia has contracted with France to purchase two high-tech Mistral warships worth $1.7 billion. The first one is scheduled to be delivered in October. But France will make a decision on whether to go through with the sale closer to the delivery date, reports France 24 TV channel.
Remy’s Ukrainian diplomatic mission started in October 2011. Seeing the country outside of Kyiv has been a prerogative. “I like Lviv and Odesa the most. But this year I was very surprised to find a good French restaurant in Luhansk,” he told the Kyiv Post.
Kyiv Post staff writer Vladyslav Golovin can be reached at [email protected].
