During a meeting in Vienna, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Federal Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz discussed the intensification of trade, economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking to the media following talks with Sebastian Kurz, the Ukrainian leader noted that bilateral trade between Ukraine and Austria is growing every year and reached almost $ 1.5 billion in 2019. Therefore, the President spoke in favor of restoring the pre-crisis level of trade and economic relations.
"Together with Mr. Chancellor, we discussed areas that can get, so to speak, a fresh impetus due to Austrian investment. In particular, it is transport infrastructure, energy transit, banking and financial sectors, energy, tourism, environmental protection," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
He thanked the Federal Chancellor of Austria for his attention and deep awareness of the situation in eastern Ukraine. The President reminded that earlier Sebastian Kurz, as head of Austrian diplomacy and chairman of the OSCE, was personally on the line of delimitation and "directly saw and knew about the consequences of the terrible war taking place in eastern Ukraine".
"Today we discussed all the steps and efforts that Ukraine makes around the clock to achieve the long-awaited peace in Donbas. And in this difficult process, we always feel the help and support of our international partners, the support of Austria," the President said.
During a meeting, the interlocutors also touched upon the preparations for the 22nd Ukraine-EU Summit, which will take place in October this year in Brussels.
"Ukraine will make every effort to make this Summit as effective as possible. We believe that Austria and other European Union countries share the same view on this issue as Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.
Sebastian Kurz noted that Austria and Ukraine historically had very good relations, and Austrian companies are among the largest investors in the Ukrainian economy.
The Chancellor of Austria noted the steps taken by Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the fight against corruption, which is also a positive signal for Austrian investors.
According to him, Austria will continue and increase humanitarian aid for residents of eastern Ukraine.
"We are investing an additional EUR 1million in the form of humanitarian aid," Sebastian Kurz said.
He expressed hope that an agreement on the settlement of the war issue in eastern Ukraine would be reached as soon as possible, and assured that he remained a friend of our country.
