Sweden and Ukraine share common views on major issues of European and global agenda, Pavlo Klimkin says

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin had talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden Margot Wallström who has paid working visit to Ukraine on November, 28, 2016.

The main topics of the meeting were the implementation of the Minsk agreements, security situation in Donbas, including preparation for tomorrow's "Normandy Four" meeting in Minsk at the level of Foreign Ministers. The particular attention was focused on the issues that have to be settled as priority but remain blocked by the Russian side and its proxies, such as a sustainable cease-fire, access of OSCE special monitoring mission to the whole territory of certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and uncontrolled part of Ukrainian-Russian border, releasing of Ukrainian hostages and political prisoners.

In this regard M. Wallström stressed the need to keep the unity within the EU, including the extension of sanctions against Russia up to full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Ministers also noted the importance to finalize the ratification process of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. The head of Swedish Foreign Ministry highly praised the efforts of the Government of Ukraine to carry out systemic reforms, while stressing the need to maintain the pace of their implementation. The senior Swedish diplomat particularly underlined the need to fulfill the EU’s commitments with regard to Ukraine to justify expectations of civil society in our country.

The Ministers also exchanged views on prospects for future development of the "Eastern Partnership" initiative, in particular in the areas of energy security and people-to-people contacts.

In conclusion Minister Klimkin expressed his sincere gratitude for unwavering strong stance of Sweden in support for our country and technical and financial assistance provided by Swedish partners.