Prime Minister of Ukraine held meetings with high-ranking officials of Great Britain, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, the European Commission and the IMF in Lugano

On the sidelines of the International Ukraine Recovery Conference underway in Lugano through July 4-5, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal held a number of meetings with high-ranking officials of partner countries and international organizations.

With the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis, the Head of the Ukrainian Government discussed measures to facilitate the ramp-up of Ukraine's trade with the EU. In particular, Denys Shmyhal thanked for supporting efforts to restore the Ukraine-EU Industrial Dialogue: "This can become an additional tool for reviving the activities of Ukrainian industrial enterprises and product supply chains."

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the European Commission for a decision to disburse EUR 9 billion to Ukraine to cover the budget deficit. He also emphasized that Ukraine is committed to promptly implement the steps defined by the European Commission in its conclusions on granting the candidate status: "We have already prepared a corresponding action plan. I am convinced that this will make it possible to shortly start work on the negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU."

During a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala, the parties coordinated the actions to counter russian aggression and reflected upon the practical implementation of the Ukraine Recovery Plan.

"In the coming six months, the Czech Republic will preside over the Council of the European Union. During this time, we are planning to take decisive steps towards the integration of Ukraine into the EU," Denys Shmyhal emphasized.

With the Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonite, the Head of the Ukrainian Government tackled the strengthening of cooperation to expand Ukraine's export opportunities, primarily the export of crops.

Denys Shmyhal thanked Lithuania and the Lithuanian people for how much they had done to support Ukraine: finances, weapons, sanctions. "We have to find a way to strengthen the effectiveness of sanctions against the terrorist state of russia," he emphasized.

At a meeting with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Liz Truss, Denys Shmyhal shared the Government's vision for the post-war development of Ukraine: "We expect to discuss not only reforms, but also progress in the implementation of the Recovery Plan during the next conference in Great Britain in a year."

The Prime Minister of Ukraine thanked for the help that Britain provides to our country and readiness to support the reconstruction of the Kyiv region.

Denys Shmyhal also held a meeting with Alfred Kammer, Director of the European Department at the International Monetary Fund. The parties raised the issue of the functioning of Ukraine's economy during the war period, the development of the energy sector and the implementation of reforms.

The Prime Minister thanked the IMF for the quick response to the challenges faced by Ukraine in connection with the armed aggression of the russian federation, and for providing assistance under the Rapid Financing Instrument: "The creation of the Special Administrative Account of the IMF for Ukraine made it possible to promptly receive funds from the partner countries".