The President of Ukraine has arrived to Australia on a state visit for the first time in the history.
Within two days, Petro Poroshenko will visit Melbourne, Canberra and Sidney to hold a series of meetings. Particularly, the President will conduct negotiations with Governor-General of Australia Peter John Cosgrove and Prime Minister Tony Abbott, meet with the Ukrainian community, participate in a prayer and hold a meeting with the Australian working group on the investigation into the circumstances of the MH17 tragedy.
Despite the late hour, shortly after the arrival to Melbourne, the President has been welcomed by the representatives of the Ukrainian community of Australia. The President highly evaluated their support to Ukraine. "There is no place in the world where Ukrainians do not fight for Ukraine to be successful," the Head of State noted. Petro Poroshenko emphasized that Ukraine was grateful to Australia, especially to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, for the support.
The agenda of the visit also includes the meeting with Leader of the Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition in the Australian Parliament Bill Shorten, Governor and Premier of New South Wales. The President will also discuss prospects of investments in the Ukrainian economy at the meeting with the Australian business representatives.
In the most prestigious Australian center for political science Lowy Institute for International Policy, President Poroshenko will deliver a lecture: "Why Ukraine is closer than you think".