During the official visit to Brazil on January 21, 2012 Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko met with the leaders of Ukrainian organizations in Brazil, including the Central Ukrainian-Brazilian Representation.

The Minister congratulated representatives of the Ukrainian Community on successfully organized festivals on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration to Brazil, and emphasized on significant contribution of Ukrainian Brazilians to the development of the Brazilian state. Minister Gryshchenko recalled that this particular role of the Ukrainian Community was specifically mentioned by President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff at his meeting with President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych last October.

Minister Gryshchenko noted the importance of entry into force of the Ukrainian-Brazilian intergovernmental agreement on a partial waiver of visas that will allow representatives of Ukrainian diaspora to have more frequent visits to their historic homeland.

The parties also discussed opportunities for Brazilian students of Ukrainian descent in the framework of Brazilian Government program "Science without Borders", which will open the way for thousands of students to study and research in foreign universities over the next four years.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister confirmed that the Government of Ukraine will continue to attach priority attention to maintaining close ties with the Ukrainian community abroad.