King of Sweden to pay state visit in Ukraine

According to the President’s press-service, the King of Sweden is due to take part in a number of measures together with President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko.

As reported earlier, representatives of the King of Sweden had paid a visit to Kherson, a city in the south of Ukraine, within frames of preparing a visit of the Royal family to the region.

The Swedish King is due to visit the village of Zmiyivka and meet with local ethnic Swedes. They are descendants of the Swedes resettled by Russian Queen Yekaterina II to the south of Ukraine from the Dago island (Estonia). They still speak the Swedish language of XVIII century, which is not used in Sweden any more.

In line with the decree of President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko, in 2008, Ukraine will celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Ukrainian-Swedish military-political union, which was concluded between Ukrainian hetman Ivan Mazepa and Swedish King Carl XII. It will be the first visit of the King of Sweden to independent Ukraine.