On February 5, 2003, the Academy of Diplomacy of Ukraine and Institute for International Relations of the Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University held a scientific and practical conference Ukraine & Modern Orient: Status and Prospects for Cooperation where Ukrainian and foreign diplomats and scientists participated. Contributed papers of the conference will be published in an individual book. Here, we present the most interesting reports of the participants. V. YELCHENKO, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine: Cooperation between Ukraine and Oriental countries is among the strategic targets of Ukraine's foreign policy. Pursuant to Decree of the President of Ukraine On Measures for Improving Coordination of Executive Bodies' Activities in the Sphere of International Relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is entrusted with coordination of the international relations and implementation of this Decree, including cooperation with the Near East, Middle East and Far East, as well as with the Central and South-Eastern Asia countries, i. e. regions forming the eastern trend of Ukraine's foreign policy. Since Ukraine won its independence in 1991, it has been efficiently developing and improving its foreign policy and international relations with the Oriental world. Priority tasks of Ukraine's foreign policy were set as follows: * to organize and hold state, official, working and interdepartmental visits; * to hold bilateral intergovernmental meetings on trade and economic cooperation; * to organize and hold bilateral poli-tical consultations at the level of foreign ministries; * to promote Ukrainian enterprises and companies for gaining new markets; * to investigate and analyze foreign policy, internal policy, social and economic situation in the oriental countries in the context of Ukraine's interests; * to improve contractual and legal basis for the international relations; * to coordinate activities of Ukraine's diplomatic ... Читать далее