On 5-7 June 2015 Ukrainian World Congress President Eugene Czolij participated in celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of UWC member organization, the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB), in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The focus of the commemorations was the AUGB Annual General Meeting on 6 June 2015 attended by delegates from across Great Britain, joined by the Chargé d’Affaires of Ukraine in Great Britain Ihor Kyzym, Consul-General of Ukraine in Edinburgh Andrii Kyslii, and Fr. Vasylj Krenj of Our Lady of Pochaiv and St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Edinburgh. During this meeting Zenko Lastovetskyj was reelected AUGB President.
UWC President Eugene Czolij delivered the keynote address during the Annual General Meeting recognizing the tremendous contribution of the AUGB to the growth and development of the Ukrainian community throughout Great Britain. He also highlighted the important role of the AUGB leadership and membership in the defense of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During the evening program Eugene Czolij delivered greetings and presented to AUGB President Zenko Lastovetskyj a UWC Certificate for the AUGB “On the occasion of the jubilee 70th Annual General Meeting for long-term dedicated work for the benefit of the Ukrainian people in Great Britain and Ukraine.”
On 7 June 2015 the UWC President attended Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of Pochaiv and St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. He also met with the Ukrainian community to share information on UWC activities and discuss future cooperation on joint initiatives.
On 8 June 2015 Eugene Czolij met with Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs of the Scottish Government, to discuss the means to ensure peace, security and stability in Eastern Europe and the importance of supporting Ukraine’s reform process. Accompanying the UWC President to the meeting were AUGB Edinburgh Branch Chair Michael Ostapko, AUGB Glasgow Branch Chair Oksana Mavrodii, AUGB Edinburgh Branch representatives Dmytro Mysyk and Hannah Hawryluk Beaton.
“The Ukrainian World Congress highly values the long-term contribution of the AUGB and its member organizations to strengthening Ukrainian community life, preserving our national values, particularly the Ukrainian language, culture and history, and to building an independent, sovereign Ukraine,”commented UWC President Eugene Czolij. “We look forward to our continued cooperation for the benefit of future generations of Ukrainians.”
In the photo: E. Czolij’s delivering a keynote speech.
