President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with President of Romania Klaus Iohannis.
The interlocutors exchanged views on the international agenda, discussed in detail the current challenges for regional security and the further development of bilateral dialogue between Ukraine and Romania.
Measures taken by the governments of both countries to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular to ensure greater access to high-quality and certified vaccines, were discussed separately.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed Klaus Iohannis on Russia's recent escalation of the situation along Ukraine's border and noted the importance of the international community's active support for reducing tension at the border, which, however, has not completely disappeared.
In this regard, the President praised the recent Joint Statement by the leaders of the Bucharest 9 reaffirming the apprehension of the peril of the Russian Federation's policy in the Black Sea region.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared the latest information on the lasting militarization of the temporarily occupied Ukrainian Crimea and drew attention to the constant deterioration of the humanitarian situation on the peninsula. He personally invited the President of Romania to Kyiv to take part in the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform and events marking the Independence Day of Ukraine in August 2021.
The parties also discussed Ukraine's recent steps towards European integration. The President presented to his counterpart the Ukrainian initiative as regards the support for Ukraine’s future membership in the European Union by the EU member states and urged Romania to join a number of countries whose presidents have already signed such bilateral documents with Ukraine.
"This will be a significant practical contribution of Romania, along with other EU member states, in support of the European prospect of the Ukrainian state," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
The Presidents noted the growth of trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and Romania in 2020 despite the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the implementation of planned border infrastructure projects, in particular the construction of a bridge across the Tisza River, will contribute to the intensification of economic cooperation and the strengthening of interpersonal contacts.