Australia extends diplomatic presence in Ukraine

“This will allow Australian officials to work alongside their Ukrainian partners in close cooperation and further develop bilateral ties between the two countries,” reads a report on the website of the Australian Embassy in Ukraine.

The current Australian Chargé d’Affaires, Bruce Edwards, will extend his present term and continue in this role, pending the anticipated appointment of a new Australian Ambassador.

The decision to extend Australia’s diplomatic presence in Ukraine was approved by Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop last week. The Australian prime minister conveyed the good news directly to President Petro Poroshenko, during a meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

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