* That's 'Yes Minister' in Ukranian (we think...)

Yes Minister is to be remade for Ukraine.

The nation’s Inter TV will make 38 episodes of the political comedy – the same number that ran in the UK – for a primetime slot next year.

The sitcom will be the first scripted BBC series Ukraine has licensed, but the fourth time the exploits of politician Jim Hacker and civil servant have been remade for a new market: following versions in the Netherlands, India and Turkey.

The deal comes as the show prepares to mark its 30th anniversary in February.

Creators Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn: ‘We never thought when we wrote it that it would be such a hit in places like India, Zambia and Libya.

‘If you'd told us when it first went out that they'd be watching it in the Ukraine in 30 years' time we wouldn't have believed you."

Claudia Danser of the BBC’s commercial arm BBC Worldwide, said: ‘I am looking forward to seeing how Sir Humphrey and the Minister deal with the different political parties when they move from the halls of Westminster to the quarters of the Verkhovna Rada.’

Published: 19 Nov 2009