Ukrainian advocates build bridges between communities and investors

During a three-day visit of a delegation of Ukrainian community leaders and businessmen to Scotland as part of the Rebirth Ukraine mission, a meeting was held between the representative of the Ukrainian National Bar Association in Scotland, Oleksandr Chernykh, and the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney.

The meeting took place on the eve of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Consul of Ukraine in Edinburgh Andrii Madzianovskyi (on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine) and the Cabinet Secretary of Scotland Angus Robertson. The document aims to strengthen cooperation in the economic, social, and cultural spheres and promote direct contact between Ukrainian and Scottish businesses and local government.

During the dialogue with the First Minister, O. Chernykh, on behalf of the Ukrainian Bar Association, expressed gratitude for the comprehensive support of Ukraine and spoke about the role of advocates in establishing international relations, in particular, interaction with British professional regulators and scientific institutions. John Swinney expressed his respect for the efforts of the legal community and reaffirmed the importance of upholding the principles of the rule of law in all cooperation projects.

The cross-party group on Ukraine in the Scottish Parliament, led by Colin Beattie, played an important role in preparing the mission. The group, which brings together experts in economics, culture, science, and social policy, is a long-standing partner of Ukrainian initiatives and actively cooperates with the Ukrainian Consulate in Edinburgh. One of the group members, Secretary Anna Kulish, is a Ukrainian lawyer who has been helping to implement projects in Scotland for a long time. In partnership with the Nazovny project and the UNBA representative office in the UK, several practical webinars were organized for entrepreneurs from both countries on the legal regulation of business in Scotland and Ukraine.

The visit of the Ukrainian delegation was not only political but also deeply practical in nature. Representatives of local communities and businesses visited scientific and industrial hubs and held meetings with Scottish entrepreneurs and researchers. O. Chernykh organized separate consultations on legal issues related to starting a business in the UK, participating in Ukraine's recovery programs, and establishing direct dialogue with British donors, foundations, and law firms.

Particular attention was paid to communities located near the front line. The meetings discussed the legal aspects of attracting foreign funding, international grants, and participation in reconstruction projects, taking into account the initiatives of the UNBA and British colleagues.

O. Chernykh emphasized the readiness of the legal community to become a reliable pillar in the economic recovery of the state by joining joint initiatives, providing legal support for investments, local development projects, and disseminating legal information among Ukrainians.

The work of free legal aid centers organized by Ukrainian advocates in Glasgow and Aberdeen, which regularly provide consultations to Ukrainians and business representatives, was also noted.

As secretary of the subgroup on economic relations of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament, the UNBA representative assured his Ukrainian colleagues of further support and assistance in establishing direct links between Ukrainian and Scottish communities and investors. «Ukrainian advocates are not only legal experts, but also active participants in the global process of Ukraine's recovery», - said O. Chernykh.