Australia named Melissa O’Rourke as the next ambassador to Ukraine on May 31. She is expected to take over for interim ambassador Bruce Edwards in September.
In announcing O’Rourke’s appointment, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop wrote: “Australia is a steadfast supporter of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity… Our economic relationship continues to develop and mature.”
O’Rourke is now a career officer with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She has held several other positions with department, such as director in the United Nations and Commonwealth section. She has also served in Brussels and Bangkok.
She has a master’s of international relations and Asian politics and a bachelor of arts from the University of Queensland, in Brisbane, Australia. She also holds a master of international law from the Australian National University, and a bachelor of international business from Queensland University of Technology.
The Australian Embassy was established in Ukraine on Nov. 20, 2014, despite 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Tragedy brought the embassy into existence. The embassy was opened as part of Australia’s response to the July 17, 2014, downing of the Malaysian Airlines Flight 17.
The flight, carrying 298 people, was en route from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The airplane was flying over Russian controlled territory of Ukraine, when it was shot down. International prosecutors said that the BUK missile was from Russia.. All passengers were killed, including 28 Australians and nine Australian permanent residents.
The MH17 joint investigative team includes representatives from Australia along with Ukraine, Belgium, Malaysia and the Netherlands.
On March 19, 2014, Australia imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on Russia in line with European Union and U.S. sanctions. Australia has since expanded the restrictions to include bans on the export and import of Russian arms.
Australian investment in Ukraine in 2015 was $60 million, with bilateral trade at $156 million.
In April 2016, Australia signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn. The agreement enables Australia to export uranium to Ukraine, which remains heavily dependent on nuclear power plants to generate electricity.
