Ukraine's President Greets Pope Benedict XVI on Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
After the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Vatican on 8 February, 1992, the contacts were maintained only via the Embassy of Ukraine in Italy. Only on 9 September, 1998, Nina Kovalska was appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to the Vatican. She combined the position with that of the Ambassador of Ukraine to Switzerland.
On 30 March, 2007, the third Ambassador of Ukraine to the Vatican, Tetiana Izhevska presented to Pope Benedict XVI the Letters of Credence.
The web site of Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych published the greeting address to Pope Benedict XVI on occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the state:
“Your Holiness!
Please accept on behalf of the Ukrainian nation and from me personally sincere greetings on the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Holy See.
Since that remarkable event, our states have been able to reach a high level of interaction both at the bilateral level and within the frameworks of international organizations. I take pride in the fact that the beautiful Ukrainian Christmas tree brought to the Vatican from the Carpathians on Christmas became a kind of a reflection of our durable and strong relations based on the common Christian values and deep historic roots. Your Holiness, let me send You a wish of good health and spiritual strength for many years of life,” reads the address. So reported Radio Vatican.
