Strict sanctions policy against the aggressor country should be continued and strengthened until the full restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. This issue was touched upon during the meeting of Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman with the President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis. The talks took place within the framework of the visit of the Head of Government to the Republic of Latvia.

The Prime Minister stressed Latvia is the closest friend and partner of Ukraine, that is why official Kyiv highly appreciates the consistent support of Riga in matters related to political dialogue and non-recognition of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea.

"All events taking place in Ukraine are important to us and we condemn the situation in the east of Ukraine and in Crimea. It is of paramount importance to ensure all international agreements be fulfilled. Ukraine can count on our support, "the President of Latvia accentuated.

"For us, Latvia is a friendly country. We are grateful to Latvia for the fact that we have staunchest support in the international arena", the Head of Ukrainian government emphasized.

In the course of the meeting the sides discussed the situation in the east of Ukraine and noted systematic Kremlin’s violations of agreements on ceasefire and withdrawal of troops. As the Head of Government stressed, Russia is actively demonstrating its position regarding armament race, at the same time having virtually no economic achievements.

"In this regard it is necessary to speak not only about build-up of forces in response, but also on the decrease of Russia's strength. Sanctions policy is the way that weakens the aggressor. Sanctions can be lifted, but only if the Russian troops return to their borders. The only country that can resolve the issue of lifting sanctions is the Russian Federation if it terminates its global threats. Today we need a hard-line stance", Volodymyr Groysman emphasized.

The Prime Minister recalled for three consecutive years Ukraine stands for the deployment of the full-fledged peacekeeping mission all over Donbas in line with international law. Support for such conditions is important for our state.

During the talks, the sides also tackled issues of economic cooperation and implementation of reforms, especially in the social and education sectors.

"We have a good trading growth. We are committed to moving forward, Volodymyr Groysman stressed, European and Euro-Atlantic integration is our strategic course. We are immensely grateful to Latvia for supporting Ukraine on this path."

Background

March 1-2, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman is on visit to Latvia. The Head of Government held a series of meeting, inter alia, with Prime Minister of Latvia Māris Kučinskis.

The sides emphasized the volume of mutual trade in goods and services increased by 27% last year with a positive for Ukraine balance of USD 102.6 million.

On the outcomes of 2017 the trade turnover between Ukraine and Latvia made up USD 462 million. Key export items are mineral fuels, oil, boilers and machinery, organic food, food products, metals. Import items include pharmaceuticals, light industry goods, land transport vehicles.

The work of the Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Latvian Commission and the restoration of the work of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) in Kyiv will allow to step up cooperation between the countries. According to the Prime Minister, the two countries can set up ambitious goals in trade cooperation.

The Heads of Government placed a special emphasis on opportunities for investment and innovation cooperation. In this context, Volodymyr Groysman outlined key government plans for economic changes in the country, and briefed the counterpart on interim results of fundamental reforms initiated in the social sphere and in the direction of deregulation and improvement of the business climate in Ukraine.

The sides singled out agricultural sector and logistics as promising areas of innovation cooperation, in particular, the use of the Zubr container train, which connects the ports of Ilyichivsk, Odessa and Yuzhny with the ports of Riga, Ventspils, Liepāja and Tallinn.

On the outcomes of the talks, the Prime Ministers took part in signing of two international documents - the protocol of intentions between the Ministries of Education and Science of Ukraine and Latvia on the work of Ukrainian school in Riga, as well as the main agreement on cooperation between Riga Technical University and the National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute".