President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid.
“I wish you good health and strength to overcome this crisis. I also express my support for all Estonian citizens, especially those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. I wish all those who have COVID-19 to recover as soon as possible,” the Head of State said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the need for international coordination of efforts to counteract the pandemic of coronavirus and combat its consequences, in particular in the economic and social spheres.
“I know that Estonia has recently organized an online hackathon to look for digital solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic. This innovative initiative to respond to modern challenges in a digital way is timely and useful. I am sure it will be supported in Ukraine as well,” the President stressed.
Kersti Kaljulaid congratulated Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the reforms that are being made despite the spread of coronavirus, especially with the adoption of the land market law. She expressed hope that the consideration of the draft law on banking activities would be successful and noted that Estonia sees an improvement in the business climate in Ukraine, an improvement in the legal system and a significant reduction in top-level corruption.
The Estonian President also noted that investors of this country are interested in Ukrainian projects.
“We have many reforms and many bills to accelerate economic growth. Some of them have been delayed by coronavirus, but we do not stop in our desire to reform Ukraine. We are ready to fight for every dollar and we are glad to see Estonian investors in Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President of Ukraine expressed his gratitude for Tallinn's traditional support of sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country, especially in the context of Estonia's non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council in 2020-2021.
“I wish your delegation to the UN Security Council a successful chairmanship this May, which will take place against the background of the unprecedented situation caused by the spread of COVID-19. I support Estonia's position that the UN Security Council must respond to the pandemic that threatens peace and world security,” the President said.
The interlocutors reaffirmed the importance of maintaining EU sanctions against Russia until Ukraine's territorial integrity is fully restored. They also agreed on the inadmissibility of artificially using the coronavirus pandemic for political purposes.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kersti Kaljulaid discussed political dialogue measures for the near future, as well as preparations for the Second Ukraine-Estonia Digital Forum to take place in Kyiv this fall.
“Digitization, e-government, and cybersecurity are priority areas of cooperation between Ukraine and Estonia. I hope to greet you in Kyiv this fall, during the Second Digital Forum, and to discuss the progress of our cooperation,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.