Prime Minister Wüst bid Farewell to Consuls General of the Republic of Portugal and Ukraine
Honouring Lidia Margarida Bandeira Nabais and Iryna Shum
July 18th, 2024
On 5 July, 2024, Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst bid farewell to the Consul General of Portugal Lidia Margarida Bandeira Nabais, also Doyenne of the Consular Corps of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the Consul General of Ukraine Iryna Shum, who are leaving their diplomatic posts in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst bid farewell to Consul General Nabais and paid tribute to her significant contributions to the partnership between North Rhine-Westphalia and Portugal.
Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst said: “Consul General Nabais has made an important contribution to the close friendship between North Rhine-Westphalia and Portugal. She has been and continues to be a strong voice of Portugal in our state. In her role as Doyenne, at the head of the Consular Corps, she has strengthened the cooperation between the state and the Consular Corps. It was particularly important to me to thank Consul General Nabais for the excellent cooperation and to bid her farewell on behalf of the State government.”
Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst also bid farewell to Consul General Iryna Shum. Shum assumed her office in July 2021 and will now take up the position of Deputy Head of the Cultural Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in Kyiv. The State government also conveyed warm congratulations and best wishes to her.
Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst stated, "The outbreak of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine made Consul General Iryna Shum the representative and face of a friendly country at war. As an experienced diplomat, she was a crucial interlocutor for the state government, as well as for many municipalities, associations, and initiatives. Many projects and events brought us together time and again, deepening our state's friendship with Ukraine. With competence and care, she assisted over 240,000 Ukrainian refugees who found refuge in North Rhine-Westphalia from Russia's war of aggression. She represented her country with compassion and humanity, with pride and dignity. For this, she deserves our sincere gratitude."
Minister Liminski added, "Consul General Shum was a beacon of humanity and courage during the dark times thrust upon her country due to Russia's ruthless aggression. Through her tireless efforts as the face of Ukraine in North Rhine-Westphalia, she was omnipresent and will be remembered fondly. Our best wishes accompany her on her journey to her next assignment in Kyiv."
