President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. At the beginning of the conversation, the heads of state congratulated each other on Christmas and New Year. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for a warm New Year's video greeting for Ukraine.
The leaders discussed important issues of bilateral agenda, first of all, the intensification of trade and economic cooperation and the continuation of dialogue at the highest level.
"I am optimistic about the further increase in the trade turnover of our countries," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The interlocutors agreed to hold a third meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation as soon as possible. The presidents also agreed that important areas for cooperation between Ukraine and Portugal are trade, energy, space infrastructure, digitization, scientific and technical cooperation, etc.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised the issue of joint distribution of a certified vaccine and the possibility of obtaining it by Ukraine in the near future.
"I will be grateful for the assistance in providing the first COVAX vaccines in January-February," the Ukrainian President said.
Separately, the presidents touched upon the case of Ihor Homeniuk. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Portuguese party for the fair compensation and care for the relatives of the deceased.
"We are confident that the Portuguese party will ensure a full and impartial investigation into the circumstances of the death of Ukrainian citizen Ihor Homeniuk in March 2020," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa praised the contribution of the Ukrainian community to the social and economic development of Portugal.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated his colleague on the beginning of Portugal's presidency of the Council of the European Union and stressed that Ukraine counts on active cooperation and support of Portugal's presidency in the implementation of the agreements of the 22nd EU-Ukraine Summit. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa noted that Ukraine and Portugal are Europe, and he supports the European integration aspirations of our state.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Portugal for the support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The interlocutors also discussed further cooperation on the path of Ukraine's integration into NATO.
"Ukraine's step-by-step rapprochement with NATO on the path to full membership in the Alliance is a guarantee of Ukraine's security. Thank you for supporting the decision to recognize Ukraine as a partner with enhanced opportunities. In this new status, Ukraine looks forward to expanding practical cooperation with NATO. We want to be more actively involved in the practical strengthening of Euro-Atlantic security. Obtaining an action plan for NATO membership by Ukraine is our strategic goal," the President of Ukraine stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated the invitation to his Portuguese counterpart to pay an official visit to Ukraine. In response, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa invited Volodymyr Zelenskyy to pay a visit to Portugal during the period of Portugal's EU presidency in the first half of 2021.