The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš held a video meeting on January 15 to discuss issues of bilateral cooperation.

The Head of the Government of Ukraine commended the effectiveness of the 8th meeting of the Ukrainian-Latvian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Industrial, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which took place despite the difficult epidemic situation in the world.

"I believe that the agreements reached at the meeting of the commission and their practical implementation will contribute to the further intensification of our economic relations. After all, the Latvian market is important for Ukrainian products, in particular, the food and processing industries," said Denys Shmyhal.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine also suggested that the Latvian side continue to attract additional cargo flows and create the most favorable conditions for the transportation of goods.

"It would be expedient, inter alia, to use the ZUBR container train and the Black Sea seaports, in which there function a network of ferry services and sea container lines being part of international transport corridors and the most efficient logistics transport routes," the Head of Ukrainian Government noted.

Denys Shmyhal added that Ukraine expects to sign a Common Aviation Area Agreement with the European Union, which will provide an opportunity to further liberalize transport relations with EU member states.

Apart from that, the Prime Minister stressed Ukraine prolongs to comprehensively reform the energy sector.

"In line with the requirements of the Association Agreement with the EU, we focus, in particular, on the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, expanding bilateral cooperation in synchronizing Ukraine's energy system with ENTSO-E, as well as strengthening cybersecurity of critical infrastructure facilities in the energy sector", the Head of Government noted.

During the virtual meeting, Denys Shmyhal thanked the Prime Minister of Latvia and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs for supporting the initiative to provide the Eastern Partnership countries with the vaccine against COVID-19 to start vaccinating the population.

Besides, the Head of the Ukrainian Government thanked the Latvian side for its consistent position against the implementation of the Nord Stream-2 project.

Denys Shmyhal stressed that Ukraine appreciates Latvia's support in countering Russian aggression, as well as the support of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Latvia in a long-term program to provide humanitarian assistance to the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions affected by the hostilities.

"It remains important for us to continue these programs and we are grateful that in 2021 funding will be provided for a project to rehabilitate the Ukrainian military," he stressed.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine also invited Latvia to join the work on the establishment of the Crimean Platform and its further activities, taking into account the important role of Latvia in promoting Ukraine’s interests in the EU and NATO.

According to Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine highly values Latvia's support for Ukraine's European integration and Euro-Atlantic aspirations as well as crucial domestic reforms.

For his part, Krišjānis Kariņš assured that Latvia is ready to share with Ukraine the experience of reforms, namely in the anti-corruption sector, which will have a positive impact on both the economy and foreign investment.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister of Ukraine invited the Head of the Government of Latvia to visit Ukraine on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Ukrainian Independence.