Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati, today paid an official visit to Kiev, Ukraine, where he met with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Pavlo Klimkin. He also had meetings with the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development of Ukraine, Stepan Kubiv, and the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine (Verkhovna Rada) Andriy Parubiy.

In the meeting held with his counterpart, Klimkin, was expressed the deep gratitude for Albania’s support given for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, both bilaterally and within international organizations. Minister Klimkin, also, thanked Minister Bushati for aligning positions and statements for Ukraine with the EU.

On his side, Minister Bushati reconfirmed Albania’s position supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. Furthermore, the two ministers discussed bilateral cooperation and shared views on further intensification of friendly relations in areas where both countries offer exchanges potential such as agriculture, tourism, transport, energy, education, culture, etc.

Minister Bushati considered the Albanian diaspora living in Ukraine, as an important element and friendship bridge between the two countries, and praised the Ukrainian authorities for dealing with diaspora in accordance with international law. He stated readiness to continue the cooperation in the realization of joint projects for the cultural identity preservation of this small community that coexists with the Ukrainian people for nearly 300 years.

Ministers exchanged views on the security situation in the respective regions.

At the meeting with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development of Ukraine, Stepan Kubiv, was shared the view on the offered potentials for cooperation by the two countries, especially in the field of agriculture, where the launching of the First Session of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation will play an important role, as well as the negotiation between the two countries for a free trade agreement.

Ukrainian Speaker of Parliament, Andriy Parubiy, in his meeting with Minister Bushati, reiterated the gratitude in the name of the Ukrainian Parliament for Albania’s support and contribution to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. Furthermore, he expressed full readiness for intensifying of inter-parliamentary relations between two countries.

During this visit, Minister Bushati placed a bouquet of flowers at the “Heavenly Heroes” memorial dedicated to the citizens who lost their lives in Euromaidan.