Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva welcomed the opening of the Irish Embassy in Ukraine in a conversation with the Deputy Secretary of State for International and European Affairs of the Office of the Prime Minister of Ireland Helen Blake.
“The opening of the Irish diplomatic mission is a long-awaited event, which should contribute to the disclosure of significant potential of bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Ireland,” he said, according to the presidential press service.
The interlocutors exchanged information on measures to overcome the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, in particular regarding vaccination. Blake said that Ireland supports the introduction of a mechanism in the EU that will allow partner countries to gain access to the vaccine.
The parties also discussed the situation in the east of Ukraine and in the Crimea occupied by Russia. Zhovkva briefed on the security challenges facing Ukraine as a result of the recent build-up of Russian military forces along the Russian-Ukrainian state border and in the occupied territories. He thanked the Irish side for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, in particular within the UN Security Council, where Ireland is a non-permanent member.
In addition, Zhovkva acquainted Blake with the initiative of the President of Ukraine “Crimean Platform” and confirmed the invitation to the Prime Minister of Ireland Micheal Martin to take part in her inaugural summit in August.
During the conversation, special attention was paid to the implementation of Ukraine’s European aspirations. Zhovkva noted that Ukraine’s accession to the European Union is a strategic goal to achieve which maximum efforts are directed. The Irish side was invited to join the circle of EU states that have already recognized the European perspective of Ukraine.
Blake, for her part, confirmed that Ireland supports the further enlargement of the European Union, welcomes Ukraine’s European aspirations and is ready to continue to help in their implementation, including in the implementation of the necessary reforms.
The Irish Embassy was opened in Kyiv in June, before that there was a consulate and the Irish Ambassador in Prague worked in Ukraine part-time.
