A Croatian government delegation visited the Institute of International Relations

The Minister of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia, Radovan Fuks, assured of assistance in restoring the educational buildings of the Institute of International Relations and the Institute of Journalism, which were damaged by Russian shelling on 3 November.

This and other topics were discussed during the visit of the Croatian government delegation to Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv on 12 November.

The Croatian officials in charge of education visited the Educational and Research Institute of International Relations and the Educational and Research Institute of Journalism of the National University of Kyiv as part of their official visit to Ukraine.

The delegation was accompanied by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Croatia to Ukraine, Ms Anica Djamic, and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education and Science, Mr Mykhailo Vynnytskyi.

The Rector of the University, Volodymyr Buhrov, briefed the distinguished guests on the history and present of the University and the specifics of the educational process under martial law. A special topic of conversation was the recent attack by Russian drones, which resulted in significant damage to the premises of the Institute of Journalism and the Institute of International Relations. Croatian colleagues promised to assist in the restoration of the building.

During the working meeting, Minister Radovan Fuks spoke about Croatia's educational, scientific and youth policy; demographic and other challenges facing Croatian society; the difficult path of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, as well as the experience of reconstruction and recovery that this Balkan country has. Croatia, like Ukraine, is fully aware of the importance of defence against wars of aggression and the meaning of national resistance.

Rector Volodymyr Buhrov thanked the Croatian officials for their constant support of Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian aggression.

Representatives of the Kyiv National University informed about the work of the Centre for Croatian Language and Culture, which opened on 8 December 2021 at the Institute of Philology of the Kyiv National University with the support of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and with the participation of the Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković and Mr Radovan Fuks. At Shevchenko University, Croatian studies as a separate specialisation was launched in 1993, the first time in Ukraine. Since then, successful interaction has been established and continues through various forms of bilateral cooperation.

The cultural, educational and historical ties between Croatia and Ukraine are not only the key to successful relations between the countries today, but also a common path to the future, the speakers noted in their speeches. The members of the Croatian government delegation discussed with the University administration and heads of structural units the areas of further cooperation.

The foreign guests honoured the memory of the participants of the Russian-Ukrainian war, visited the exhibition about the information resistance of Ukrainians and the Memorial of the fallen journalists. As a memento of the meeting, the Rector of the Kyiv National University presented Radovan Fuksuulamok with a medal from a downed Russian ‘shahed’ and a unique publication prepared by Shevchenko scholars - Taras Shevchenko's ‘Testament’ in the languages of the world. It is also available in Croatian: ‘...Ustajte pokopavsi me, okove slomite i slobodu tad dusmanskom krvlju poskropite!’

Mr Minister had a friendly chat with the students who were rehearsing for the traditional contest of the Institute of International Relations ‘Rainbow of Countries’ in the hall of the academic building. This meeting became a pleasant ‘highlight’ of the visit of the Croatian honoured guests and true friends.

For reference:

In September of this year, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Oksen Lisovyi and Minister of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia Radovan Fuks signed a Cooperation Programme in Science and Technology, which will help create new opportunities for researchers in both countries, as well as Ukraine's integration into the European Research Area.

On 25 February 2022, the Croatian Parliament adopted a Declaration strongly condemning Russia's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. Croatia remains committed and unwavering in its support for our independence. Since February 2022, Croatia has provided Ukraine with economic, financial, humanitarian and other assistance worth about €300 million. This includes 11 military aid packages.

Photo: Press Centre of the Institute of International Relations

KNU Communications Centre