A month ago we discussed the influx of 'foreigners' to help the Ukraine government 'manage' the country [5]. As UA Today reports, [6]foreign appointments have become a key part of Ukraine's mission to reform its economy and crack down on corruption (and ensure American interests are taken care of?) and now boats 3 non-Ukrainian cabinet members. And now a 4th non-Ukrainian - Estonian Jaanika Merilo - will step up to the plate 'tasked with bringing more foreign investment into Ukraine and improving the country's business climate'. We suspect she will have some success...
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3 non-Ukrainians already cabinet ministers including American Natalie Jaresko
Jaanika Merilo has become the latest foreign national to join the Ukrainian government. The Estonian has taken up a position as an advisor to the minister for economic development who is himself also a foreigner - Lithuanian Aivaras Abromavicius. Merilo will be tasked with bringing more foreign investment into Ukraine and improving the country's business climate.
Foreign appointments have become a key part of Ukraine's mission to reform its economy and crack down on corruption. The country now boasts three non-Ukrainians in the ranks of its cabinet. Alongside Abromavicius are US-born Natalie Jaresko as finance minister and Alexander Kvitashvili, who is now Ukraine's Health Minister. All three were granted Ukrainian citizenship just hours before they took up their posts.
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Merilo's appointment means there are now two high-profile foreigners working in the ministry for economic development. They will undoubtedly need all their international experience to help pull Ukraine out of recession, with the economy having contracted by some 7.5% in 2014.
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We wish her luck...
NOTE: The images above have mysteriously disappeared from Merilo's Facebook page [11]
h/t @ValLisitsa
