Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva had an online conversation with Assistant Secretary for International and European Affairs at the Department of the Taoiseach of Ireland Helen Blake.
Ihor Zhovkva welcomed the opening of the Embassy of Ireland in Ukraine.
"The opening of the Irish diplomatic mission is a long-awaited event that should help unlock the significant potential for bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Ireland," he said.
The interlocutors exchanged information on measures to overcome the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular on vaccination. Helen Blake noted that Ireland supports the introduction of a mechanism in the EU that will allow partner countries to access the vaccine.
The parties also discussed the situation in eastern Ukraine and the Russia-occupied Crimea. Ihor Zhovkva informed in detail about the security challenges facing our country as a result of the recent increase in the number of Russian armed forces along the Ukrainian-Russian state border and in the occupied territories. He thanked the Irish side for supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, in particular within the UN Security Council, where Ireland is a non-permanent member.
Ihor Zhovkva informed the interlocutor in detail about the Crimean Platform initiative of the President of Ukraine and confirmed the invitation from the President to Taoiseach Micheál Martin to take part in its inaugural summit in August.
During the conversation, special attention was paid to the realization of the European aspirations of the Ukrainian state. Ihor Zhovkva stressed that Ukraine's accession to the European Union is a strategic goal of our state, and maximum efforts are aimed at its achievement. The Irish side was invited to join the circle of EU states that have already recognized Ukraine's European prospect. For her part, Helen Blake reaffirmed that Ireland supports the further enlargement of the European Union, welcomes Ukraine's European aspirations and is ready to continue to assist our country in their implementation, including the implementation of necessary reforms.