Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belgium to Ukraine, Peter Van De Velde, delivered a lecture to the students of Ostroh Academy

May 28, 2024

On May 28, Diplomatic Week began at Ostroh Academy National University. This event provides an opportunity to learn more about global processes and discuss current issues.

The first meeting during Diplomatic Week was with Peter Van De Velde, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belgium to Ukraine. 

"We constantly hold diplomatic forums and meetings with ambassadors at Ostroh Academy. In 2019, our university entered the Book of Records of Ukraine in the "Mass events" category for holding a diplomatic forum at which diplomats and ambassadors from 17 countries were present. Today is a special day at Ostroh Academy because we are starting the diplomatic week with a meeting with a unique and brilliant personality - Peter Van De Velde. It is a great honour for us to meet and communicate with such a person. He is not just an ambassador and a diplomat but also has unique human qualities, particularly courage and perseverance. I hope that today's meeting will be successful and productive and Mr Ambassador will visit Ostroh Academy more than once,"

During the meeting, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary told the students about the features of modern diplomacy, the European Union, Belgium in world politics and directions of its cooperation with Ukraine:

• In my opinion, the beginning of a full-scale Russian aggression caused great interest in Ukraine. Also, approximately 60-70 thousand Ukrainians came to live in Belgium as refugees and stayed in people's houses. And for the last two years, we have seen a massive injustice towards Ukraine. This changed not only the relations between Belgium and Ukraine but also the geopolitical challenges all Western countries faced. 
• Ukrainians do not need to be officially considered Europeans because we acknowledge they are. However, joining the EU is difficult; it is a very complex organisation, and a lot of legislation needs to be implemented. Ukraine has to answer many questions and fulfil many conditions. It is not done in a year or two. It always takes a considerable period for any country to join the EU. But, of course, on the other hand, I believe that most of the EU member states have a strong political will and desire to move forward. As the Belgian representatives, one of the things that we will mainly try to do is to make sure that the formal process of negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU can begin at the end of our presidency, that is, at the end of June.
• It would be best if you did not underestimate yourself. In a few years, Ukraine will become a full member of the European Union. It is your mission to present your country to the European community.

"I am thrilled to be in this historic city and the beautiful Ostroh Academy today. I am thrilled to meet you. I am impressed by the student's interest and the quality and lightness of the atmosphere in your institution. I think this is because it is a small university, has good connections between faculties, lecturers and students, and an open spirit of discussion. And I felt it right away,"

During the meeting, the students asked the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary several questions. The audience discussed the influence of journalism on the work of diplomats in the European Union, cultural differences between Ukraine and Belgium, Ukraine's European integration aspirations, and the global challenges of today.

Eduard Balashov, Doctor of Science (Psychology), Professor, Assistant Rector for International Cooperation and Fundraising, summarised:

"We sincerely welcome Mr Ambassador Van De Velde to Ostroh Academy. Our university constantly offers students unique opportunities to communicate with foreign diplomats who share valuable knowledge and provide practical recommendations. It is symbolic that the Ambassador's visit to Ostroh Academy occurred on the day the President of Ukraine visited the Kingdom of Belgium and received assurances of full support for our state. We hope that Mr Van De Velde will continue to give a series of lectures to students of Ostroh Academy in the future and share his vast practical experience of diplomatic work."

Anastasiia Pechorina, a 2nd-year student of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Linguistics, shared her impressions of the meeting:

"I am happy I met the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belgium to Ukraine, Peter Van De Velde. First, I liked that Mr Ambassador started his speech by addressing the students in Ukrainian. Overall, today's lecture was beneficial and informative. I am grateful to Ostroh Academy for holding meetings with such famous and interesting personalities."