Sharing experience and supporting Ukrainians: Ilona Havronska meets with the President of Portugal's Social Security Institute
During a working visit to Portugal, Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity for European Integration Ilona Havronska met with Pedro Alexandre da Rosa Côrte Real, President of Portuguese Social Security Institute. The talks focused on exchanging experience in reforming the social protection system and supporting Ukrainians in Portugal.
"Despite the war, Ukraine continues to pursue fundamental reforms in social policy. We're developing the social services system, reforming the pension system, and changing our approach to supporting families with children and people with disabilities. Portugal's experience is valuable to us — both in making the social security system more efficient and people-centered, and in the context of Ukraine's path toward EU membership," Ilona Havronska said.
Another key topic of the meeting was support for Ukrainians in Portugal and maintaining their connection with Ukraine. More than 60,000 Ukrainians currently hold temporary protection status in the country. Ilona Havronska thanked the government and people of Portugal for their unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and support for Ukrainian citizens.
The Deputy Minister also noted that the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity together with its partners, is developing tools to ensure Ukrainians abroad have access to reliable information about opportunities to return as well as support programs available in Ukraine. This includes the digital platform "Dodomu" (Homeward) and the Unity Hubs Network. The Portuguese side expressed its readiness to help ensure Ukrainians in Portugal have access to up-to-date information needed to make decisions and plan a possible return to Ukraine once the right conditions are in place.
The Portuguese side also shared its experience integrating Ukrainians into the general social protection system. Ukrainians with legal status in Portugal can access social benefits and support programs, including those available to the population at large.
Pedro Alexandre da Rosa Côrte-l Real also affirmed that Portugal would futher support Ukraine, including on its path to European integration. He emphasized that social security is one of the important dimensions of this process, especially amid the war, and that Ukraine can count on Portugal's cooperation and support.
Background
Portuguese Social Security Institute is a state institution that exercises the powers of Portugal's Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security in the field of social security.
Its main areas of work include: administering social benefits and payments; ensuring the operation of the social security system; supporting families, children, and other vulnerable groups; social inclusion as well as combating poverty and social exclusion; pension provision; cooperation with social solidarity institutions and organizations; and implementing relevant international mechanisms in the field of social security.