Ukraine and Belgium started negotiations on a security cooperation agreement pursuant to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's instruction and in furtherance of his recent phone conversation with Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo.
According to the Presidential decree, the Ukrainian negotiating delegation is headed by the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak. Today's round of talks was led by the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva. The Belgian delegation is headed by Peter Moors, Chief of the Belgian Prime Minister's Cabinet for Security and Foreign Affairs.
“We appreciate Belgium's leadership in many areas of support for Ukraine, both at the bilateral level and within the framework of Ukraine's cooperation with the EU and NATO on the path to our membership,” Ihor Zhovkva noted.
The parties discussed the text of the draft agreement, addressed certain provisions, and agreed on the next round of negotiations. The progress made in the first round creates real possibilities for signing the document in the near future.