Ukraine’s top diplomat here underscored his country’s commitment to becoming a strong democracy that ensures the rights and freedoms for its people during a reception celebrating the 22nd anniversary of the Eastern European nation’s independence in Seoul on Wednesday.

“Our young country passed a difficult path of development. There were achievements and losses but, most importantly, we clearly defined where and why we move. Our goal is a strong democratic state with an absolute ensuring of the rights and freedoms of its citizens,” said Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea Vasyl Marmazov during welcome remarks at the reception.

Ukraine declared its independence from the then-Soviet Union on Aug. 24, 1991. The Orange Revolution of the mid-2000s saw massive protests against Victor Yanukovich, who was later voted in as president in 2010 in an election that was disputed by opposition candidates but affirmed by international observers.

Major opposition candidate Yulia Tymoshenko has since been convicted of abuse of power and embezzlement and has been in prison since August 2011.

The European Union recently warned Ukraine it would scupper an “association agreement” if it did not release Tymoshenko immediately. The deal is scheduled to be signed in Lithuania on Nov. 28.

EU officials had regard the treaty as the most significant act of enlargement since the mass entry of Eastern European countries in the early 2000s. 

By Philip Iglauer (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)