European countries | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

European countries

18 December 2019 16:45

Albania

Bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Albania

Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Albania were established on January 13, 1993.

On June 16, 2015, the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Albania was opened in Kharkiv. Honorary consul - Shachin Omarov.

On June 20, 2018, the Agreement on the functions and duties of the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in the city of Tirana was concluded with the citizen of the Republic of Albania Bledi Bajraktari.

On July 2, 2020, the newly appointed Chargé d'affaires of the Republic of Albania in Ukraine Fation Peni handed over a diplomatic note from the Albanian side on the opening of a diplomatic mission of Albania in Ukraine. From September 2021 to October 2022 - the Head of the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Albania in Ukraine - Adhurim Resuli.

On January 13, 2023, during the telephone conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania Edi Rama, the Albanian interlocutor informed that the opening of the Embassy of Albania in Kyiv is planned this year.

On September 1, 2020, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Albania Volodymyr Shkurov presented credentials to the President of the Republic of Albania Ilir Meta.

Political dialogue

Contacts at the level of presidents: none

On September 11, 2020, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania Edi Rama.

On March 5, 2022, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania Edi Rama.

On May 3, 2022, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Parliament of the Republic of Albania.

June 15, 2022 - President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama and Prime Minister of Montenegro Dimitar Abazovych during their joint visit to Ukraine.

January 13, 2023 - telephone conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania Edi Rama.

On June 1, 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama held a meeting on the sidelines of the second summit of the European Political Community.

Contacts at the level of heads of parliaments:

July 1, 2011 – bilateral meeting of the Speaker of the Parliament of Albania Jozefina Topalli with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Lytvyn during the summit of the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly (Kyiv).

Contacts at the level of heads of government:

January 19-21, 2020 – the working visit of the Acting Chairman of the OSCE, Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania Edi Rama to Ukraine. Meeting with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko and Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk.

June 15, 2022 - Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama and Prime Minister of Montenegro Dimitar Abazovych during their joint visit to Ukraine.

Contacts at the level of heads of foreign policy departments:

November 4, 2016 – the official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin to Albania (negotiations with the President of Albania Bujar Nishani, the Speaker of the Parliament Illir Meta and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Dimitri Bushati).

February 21-23, 2018 – the official visit of the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania Dimitri Bushati to Ukraine.

June 3, 2021 – a telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania Olta Xhacka.

On May 14, 2022 - the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba held a meeting with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania Olta Xhacka (Berlin).

Bilateral bodies of the highest level: The Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Albanian Commission is in the process of determining the terms of the constituent meeting.

Interparliamentary cooperation:

On December 5, 2019, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine created a Deputies' Group on Interparliamentary Relations with the Republic of Albania, consisting of 6 people (group leader Ihor Vasyliv, Faction of the Political Party "Servant of the People").

In the new composition of the Albanian Parliament, following the results of the elections on April 25, 2021, a Parliamentary Group on Interparliamentary Relations with Ukraine was formed, which included 5 people (the head of the group is Maiko Pandeli, Socialist Party).

On February 24, 2023, members of the Parliamentary friendship group Xhemal Qefalia, Denis Deliu and Head of the group Pandeli Majko visited Kyiv, where they took part in an extraordinary meeting of the Verkhovna Rada on the anniversary of the Russian war against Ukraine.

Contractual legal base:

Number of valid documents: 19

Key documents: Joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Albania, Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Albania on the mutual cancellation of visas, Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Albania on the promotion and mutual protection of investments.

The basic agreement on friendship and cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Albania is in the stage of preparation for signing.

Trade and economic cooperation

According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, in Year 2020, the volume of trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Albania amounted to 41.0 million dollars. USA (increased by 44.9%).

In Year 2021, the volume of trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Albania amounted to 51.37 million dollars. USA (increased by 25.4%). At the same time, the export of Ukrainian goods and services to Albania amounted to 39.5 million dollars. USA and increased by 25.8%. Import of goods and services from Albania to Ukraine amounted to 11.8 million dollars. USA, which is 24.1% more than in 2020. The balance of trade with Albania is positive for Ukraine and amounts to 27.6 million dollars. USA.

According to the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, in 2022, the volume of trade in goods amounted to USD 34.61 million (↓18.4% compared to 2021), of which exports amounted to USD 24.35 million (↓33%), imports amounted to USD 10.26 million (↑34.61%). The balance for Ukraine is positive and amounted to USD 14.09 million.

According to the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, during January-March 2023, the volume of trade in goods amounted to USD 12.7 million, of which exports amounted to USD 6.887 million, imports amounted to USD 5.815 million. The balance for Ukraine is positive and amounted to USD 1.072 million.

In the structure of exports of Ukrainian goods to Albania dominate: ferrous metals (32.3%); fats and oils of animal or vegetable origin (24.1%); grain crops (14.6%); wood and wood products (4.9%); milk, dairy products, poultry eggs, natural honey (3.4%); nuclear reactors, boilers, machines (2.7%); seeds and products of oil plants (2.5%), etc.

The structure of imports from Albania is dominated by deliveries of: vegetables (40.9%); ferrous metals (12.1%); mineral fuel; oil and products of its distillation (23.0%); ferrous metal products (14.6%); shoes (7.5%); clothing and accessories for clothing, knitwear (2.5%); edible fruits and nuts (2.4%); seeds and fruits of oil plants (2.2%).

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Albania

The development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Albania is based on the provisions of the Agreement on Cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Albania dated May 27, 2003.

As of today, work is underway on the updated draft of the agreement and the signing of the interdepartmental Program.

2020-2021

The development of cooperation in the archival sphere has been initiated. The draft Agreement between the State Archives Service of Ukraine and the Central Archives of the Republic of Albania was approved by the Albanian side and it was agreed to sign the said Agreement as part of the exchange of high-level visits.

On June 21-23, 2021, as part of the visit of the delegation of the National Aviation University, two cooperation agreements were signed with the Mediterranean University of Albania and the Polytechnic University of Tirana.

Work continues on the conclusion of the Protocol on cooperation between Kyiv National University named after T. Shevchenko and Tirana State University, as well as the initiation of the practice of student and teacher exchange, teaching Ukrainian and Albanian languages at Kyiv and Tirana universities.

The establishment of cooperation between the national scientific academies of Ukraine and the Republic of Albania and the National Library named after I. Vernadskyy with the National Library of Albania has been initiated.

Year 2022

On August 19, 2023, as part of the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska, the Embassy ensured the opening of the "Ukrainian Bookshelf" in the National Library of Tirana.

Year 2023

During the first quarter of Year 2023, as part of the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, the Embassy ensured the opening of three Ukrainian bookshelves in different cities of Albania, in particular:

- February 9, 2023 in the city library of Durres;

- February 17, 2023 in the city library of Korca;

- March 31, 2023 in the city library of Elbasan.

On February 17, 2023 as part of the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, the official opening of the Ukrainian-language audio guide took place at the National Museum of Medieval Art in Korca.

Interregional cooperation

Year 2021

As part of the development of twinning relations between the cities of Kharkiv and Tirana, on May 14, 2021 representatives of the Kharkiv City Council met with the Vice-Mayor of Tirana, Anuela Ristani. During the meeting, in particular, they discussed the possibility of erecting a monument to Taras Shevchenko in Tirana (in Kharkiv - to Mother Teresa). They also agreed on joint measures in the field of youth policy. In frames of the visit, an Agreement on cooperation was also signed between the I-III grade school N5 in Kharkiv and the gymnasium "Sami Frasheri" in Tirana.

On October 26, 2021 Mayor of Kyiv, Vitalii Klitschko, and Mayor of the capital of Albania, Tirana, Erion Veliaj, signed a Memorandum on the establishment of friendly relations between the cities.

Year 2022

May 12, 2022 Head of the Kharkiv Regional Council Tetyana Yehorova-Lutsenko signed the Memorandum of Understanding, Friendship and Cooperation between the Kharkiv Regional Council of Ukraine and the Fier Prefecture of the Republic of Albania in frames of a visit to the Republic of Albania.

On July 7, 2022, during the meeting of the local councils of Tirana and Kharkiv, with the participation of mayors Erion Veliai and Igor Terekhov (online), the Tirana city council made a decision on the post-war reconstruction of one of the schools in the city of Kharkiv.

Year 2023

The Embassy ensured the establishment of appropriate cooperation between the Nikopol District Council and the Elbasan regional council. A Memorandum of Cooperation was concluded on May 9, 2023.

As of today, agreements on twinning relations between the cities of Mykolaiv-Durres, Khotyn-Berrat are being worked out.

Albanian diaspora in Ukraine

The total number of the Albanian diaspora in Ukraine is about 3,500 people, most of whom live in four settlements: Karakurt (Odesa region), Hamivka, Georgiivka and Divnynske (Zaporizhzhia region). According to the 2001 census of Ukraine, Albanians lived in 24 regions of Ukraine.

Armenia

Bilateral relations between Ukraine and Armenia

Political dialogue:

Recognition of Ukraine: 18.12.1991

Establishment of diplomatic relations: December 25, 1991.

Diplomatic institutions: Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Armenia, honorary consulates of Ukraine in Gyumri and Vanadzor.

Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Ukraine, Consulate General in Odessa, Honorary Consulates of Armenia in Kharkiv, Ternopil and Cherkassy.

Recent contacts:

March 22, 2019 – political consultations at the level of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine V. Bodnar and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Sh. Kocharyan (Kyiv).

05.20.2019 – meeting of the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyi and the Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia T. Avinyan (Kyiv).

22.11.2019 – meeting of Prime Minister O. Honcharuk with President of Armenia A. Sarkisian within the framework of the first Investment Summit of the Eastern Partnership under the auspices of the EBRD.

04/30/2020 – telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Z. Mnatsakanyan.

March 26, 2020 – political consultations at the level of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine V. Bodnar and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Sh. Kocharyan (in online format).

High-level bilateral bodies:

Joint intergovernmental Ukrainian-Armenian commission on economic cooperation (the last, 8th meeting of the SMC took place on September 14, 2021 in Yerevan).

Contractual and legal basis

The contractual and legal base of bilateral relations consists of 59 international agreements (2 – interstate, 29 – intergovernmental, 23 – interdepartmental), of which 59 are valid, and another 20 documents regulating relations and cooperation, including at the regional level, between various state institutions. 7 international treaties have lost their validity, one more was not ratified by the Ukrainian side due to the loss of relevance.

Economy

The turnover of goods between Ukraine and the Republic of Armenia for 2021 amounted to 159.9 million dollars. USA and increased by 24%.

Ukrainian exports to Armenia amounted to $135.46 million and increased by 19.47%.

Armenian imports to Ukraine amounted to $13.48 million and increased by 35.29%.

The balance of trade in goods and services for Ukraine is positive - $111.99 million.

The turnover of goods between Ukraine and the Republic of Armenia for January-May 2022 amounted to $33.21 million and decreased by 27.7%.

Ukrainian exports to Armenia amounted to $29.01 million and decreased by 26.5%.

Armenian imports to Ukraine amounted to $4.1 million and decreased by 46.4%.

The balance of trade in goods and services for Ukraine is positive - $24.81 million.

It is worth noting that the resumption of two-way trade in the near future is unlikely given the fact that it was carried out by sea - the port of Chornomorsk - the ports of Georgia.

Azerbaijan

Ukrainian-Azerbaijani cooperation

Ukraine has the diplomatic relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Azerbaijan were established on February 06, 1992. The two countries maintain an intensive political dialogue. There are regular contacts at different levels, aimed at implementing the bilateral treaties and enlarging the legal basis of cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Political relations

Recent contacts at the highest and highest levels:

2023 year:

January 12 – meeting of Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for human rights D.Lubinets with Ombudsman of the Republic of Azerbaijan S.Aliyeva (Ankara, Turkey);

February 15 – telephone conversation between President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan I.Aliyev;

February 27 – March 3 - visit to Azerbaijan paid by a delegation of the parliamentary friendship group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine headed by V.Kreydenko.

April 18–21 – visit to Ukraine by the delegation of the Working Group for the Azerbaijani-Ukrainian Interparliamentary Relations headed by R.Guliyev .

May 14-17 – visit to Azerbaijan by the delegation of Ukraine headed by Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine O.Kondratiuk.

June 1 – meeting between President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan I.Aliyev within the framework of the summit of the European Political Community in Moldova.

June 21 – meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D.Kuleba and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan J.Bayramov (London, Great Britain).

2022 year:

January 14 – working visit of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan I.Aliyev to Ukraine;

February 4 – telephone conversation between Prime Minister of Ukraine D.Shmyhal and Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan A.Asadov ;

March 28, March 7, February 26, January 25 - telephone conversations between President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan I. Aliyev;

September 20 – meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D.Kuleba and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan J.Bayramov (within the 39th meeting of the GUAM Ministers of Foreign Affairs, New York);

October 7 – meeting between Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine O.Kondratiuk and Chair of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan S.Gafarova (Jakarta, Indonesia).

High-level bilateral bodies:

The Council of the Presidents of Ukraine and the Republic of Azerbaijan is a mechanism of bilateral interaction, launched in 2009 in accordance with the agreement of the Presidents of Ukraine and the Republic of Azerbaijan, stipulated in the Joint Declaration between Ukraine and the Republic of Azerbaijan dated September 07, 2007.

Joint Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Azerbaijani Commission on Economic Cooperation.

Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Azerbaijani Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation.

Belarus

Republic of Belarus

Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus were established on December 27, 1991. The Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Belarus was opened on June 30, 1992, and the Embassy of Belarus in Ukraine on October 12, 1993.

Bilateral relations are regulated by the Treaty between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus on friendship, good neighborliness and cooperation dated July 17, 1995, which entered into force on August 6, 1997.

On August 9, 2020, the Republic of Belarus held presidential elections that were not recognized by the international community and Ukraine. The presidential elections in Belarus were followed by mass protest rallies and large-scale persecution against their participants and the country's civil society as a whole. Political dialogue between Ukraine and Belarus has been suspended since then. On September 15, 2020, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted Resolution № 883-IX, which stated that the election of the President of the Republic of Belarus was neither free nor fair and took place in the complete absence of competition between candidates.

Ukraine has joined EU sanctions against 40 Belarusian officials involved in election fraud and the use of force against peaceful protesters.

During 2021, bilateral Ukrainian-Belarusian relations were further complicated. Political dialogue at high and higher levels remained "on pause". In November 2021, O. Lukashenko declared that "Crimea de facto and de jure has become Russian." In February 2022, Belarus actually supported the recognition of the "independence" of the so-called "LPR/DNR" by Russia, which thereby grossly violated international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Since 24.02.2022 Belarus has become an accomplice in Russia’s full-scale military aggression against Ukraine. Lukashenko regime has allowed Moscow to use Belorussian territory as a ‘springboard’ for the large-scale military invasion in Ukraine. In particular, the territory of the Republic of Belarus is used to launch missiles, combat aircraft and helicopters that attack civilian population and military targets in Ukraine. Moreover Russian ground forces invaded Ukraine (Kyiv, Chernihiv regions) directly from Belarusian territory. The Russian Federation also uses the territory of Belarus for logistical support of the aggression.

Against the background of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine and Belarus' complicity in the war, Ukrainian-Belarusian contacts in almost all spheres of bilateral cooperation were suspended.

Bulgaria

Bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria

1. Recognition of Ukraine: December 5, 1991.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: December 13, 1991.

3. Political relations:

At the level of Heads of State

• On February 19, 2022 – the meeting of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Kiril Petkov within the framework of participation in the 58th Munich Conference on Security Issues and the signing of the Joint Declaration on the support of the European perspective of Ukraine.

• On March 5, 2022 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Kiril Petkov.

April 18, 2022 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Kiril Petkov.

• On March 26, 2022 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Kiril Petkov.

• On March 13, 2022 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Kiril Petkov.

• On June 22, 2022 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Kiril Petkov.

Interparliamentary relations

• On April 5-6, 2022, People's Deputies of Ukraine Yulia Grishina and Yehor Cherniev visited the Republic of Bulgaria.

• May 7-10, 2022 – visit to the Republic of Bulgaria Stepan Chernyavskyi, People's Deputy of Ukraine.

• May 14-19, 2022 – visit to the Republic of Bulgaria Yevhen Bragar, People's Deputy of Ukraine.

• April 28-May 31, 2022 – visit to the Republic of Bulgaria Anton Kisse, People's Deputy of Ukraine.

• April 24, 2023 – Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk held a meeting with the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Rosen Zhelyazkov within the framework of the Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of the European Union.

• May 10-11, 2023 – visit to the Republic of Bulgaria , Tetiana Tsiba People's Deputy of Ukraine.

At the level of Heads of Government

• March 9, 2022 – telephone conversation between the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Kiril Petkov.

• On April 28, 2022, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Kiril Petkov paid an official visit to Kyiv as the head of a delegation of government officials and members of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria.

At the level of Foreign Ministers

• On April 19-21, 2022 - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba visited the Republic of Bulgaria.

• On May 15, 2023 – telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Mariya Gabriel.

4. Bilateral Treaty and Legal Framework

The main document regulating bilateral Ukrainian-Bulgarian relations is the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria, signed on October 5, 1992.

Тhere are 102 valid bilateral documents between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria, including interstate - 9, intergovernmental - 33, interdepartmental - 62.

The bilateral contractual and legal framework covers a wide range of issues related to Ukrainian-Bulgarian relations, including political cooperation, trade and economy, culture, etc.

5. Trade, economic and investment cooperation

Bulgaria is the important market for Ukraine’s products in the EU market where a traditional positive foreign trade surplus for our state is accumulated and is the biggest trade and economic partner of Ukraine within the Balkan region.

Trade and economic cooperation

According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, for the period January-December 2022, the volume of trade in goods between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria amounted to 3.48 billion US dollars (↑230.4% compared to the same period in 2021), exports amounted to 1, 43 billion dollars. USA (↑158, 8%), imports amounted to 2.05 billion dollars. USA (↑335, 7%). The balance of foreign trade for Ukraine is negative and amounted to 627.9 million dollars. USA.

Two-thirds of Ukrainian exports to Bulgaria were rolled steel and steel semi-finished products, ferrous metals, as well as sunflower oil, sunflower seeds and other oil crops. In particular, the main items of Ukrainian commodity exports: rolled steel, ferrous metals and their products (32.7%), sunflower seeds and other oil crops (29.6%), sunflower oil and other vegetable oils (19.8%). equipment and mechanisms (5.9%), wood and wood products (1.7%)

The growth of Bulgarian exports in 2022 was due to increased supplies of diesel fuel and oil products to Ukraine, as well as "other" extremely important goods for Ukraine (in the amount of USD 900 million).

According to the National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria, the share of Ukraine in the structure of Bulgarian exports for 2022 reached 2.4%, and in the structure of imports - 3.16%.

In the structure of Ukrainian exports of services to Bulgaria in 2021 (official data for 2022 is not published), their main types were: transport services (63,0%), business services (15,8%), services in the field of telecommunications and information services (12,9%).

The share of Bulgaria in the geographical structure of export of services from Ukraine was 0.5%.

The Republic of Bulgaria ranks 18th among EU member states in the structure of Ukrainian exports of services to the EU.

In its turn, the main types of Ukrainian imports of services from Bulgaria were:

services related to travel (49,9%), transport services (40,9%), business services (4.9%).

The share of Bulgaria in the geographical structure of import of services to Ukraine was equal to 0,8%.

In total volumes of Ukrainian import of services from EU member states, Bulgaria ranks 15th place.

Investment cooperation

According to the National Bank of Ukraine, as of December 31, 2021 (new data for 2022 is not published), Bulgaria invested USD 100,7 million in the economy of Ukraine (equity instruments and debt instruments, balances by countries of the world). The largest volume of Bulgarian investments went into the sphere of wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles – 47,2 mln. US dollars, which is 54,4% of the total volume of Bulgarian investments.

Bulgarian investments also went into the following areas: agriculture, forestry and fisheries; construction; information and telecommunications, education; art, sports, entertainment and recreation; health care and provision of social assistance; provision of other types of services. However, information on the volume of investments in these areas is confidential in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On State Statistics» since investments in them came from no more than 2 business entities.

According to experts, Ukrainian investments in Bulgaria are aimed at the metallurgical sector, tourism business, construction and real estate trade, trade and repair.

However, official statistics do not reflect the real state of investment cooperation since the majority of investments are made by Bulgarian and Ukrainian companies through third countries.

Among the positive examples of cooperation, it is worth noting the activity in Bulgaria of the Ukrainian IT company "SoftServe", which is represented on the Bulgarian market by its own Software Development Centre in the city of Sofia and is included in the list of the best outsourcing companies in the world.

The Ukrainian-Bulgarian Joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation remains an important mechanism of Ukrainian-Bulgarian cooperation in the economic and investment spheres.

The Honorary Consuls of Ukraine in Ruse, Plovdiv and Burgas, the Bulgarian-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry (BUIK) in Sofia, as well as the Bulgarian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Varna represent Ukrainian business interests in Bulgaria.

In Bulgaria, the BUIK electronic Bulletin is published on a regular basis, which includes export and investment offers of Ukrainian regions and individual companies, image, tourist, and positional materials.

Cooperation in the transport and tourism spheres

It should be noted the effective cooperation in recent years in the transport and tourism spheres.

The active development of cooperation between the two states is facilitated by the presence of direct regular air connections between Kyiv and Sofia. Meantime, when several Ukrainian, Bulgarian and international aviation companies have the right to carry out direct passenger and cargo transportation between the two states, the regular direct flights are postponed in view of russian military invasion in Ukraine.

On August 10, 2020, a modern ferry complex was put into operation in Ukraine in the village of Orlivka, Reniy district, Odesa region, with an international checkpoint across the state border between the settlements of Orlivka (Ukraine) - Isaccia (Romania), which shortens the transport connection between Ukraine and Bulgaria.

The ferry crossing provided a direct exit from the south of the Odesa region to the European Union, shortening the journey by 200 km, and the time for cargo clearance - by 10-12 hours. On February 12, 2021, the ferry complex Orlivka (Ukraine) - Isaccia (Romania) officially started passenger transportation.

The introduction of a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens to travel to the EU іn 2017, gave an additional positive impetus to tourism cooperation between the two states.

According to the results of 2021, Bulgaria was visited by 250 039 tourists from Ukraine, which is 85.0% more than the same figure in 2020. In terms of the number of tourists, Ukraine was in the top five and ranked 5th among the countries of the world that visit the Republic of Bulgaria, overtaking such countries as Romania, Turkey, Germany and Greece.

In the wartime the cooperation on the tourism track is postponed.

6. Interregional cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria

The issue of regional cooperation is an important component of Ukrainian-Bulgarian cooperation. The aforementioned contributes to the establishment of direct contacts between regions, cities of Ukraine and municipalities of the Republic of Bulgaria, business circles of the countries, intensification of trade and economic interaction, activation of people-to-people contacts, development of relations in the fields of education, science, culture, tourism and in the field of local self-government.

Тhe following agreements on interregional cooperation were signed between the regions of Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria:

- Agreement on friendship and cooperation between the Kyiv Regional State Administration and the Administration of Sofia Region (March 23, 1995);

- Agreement on the main principles and directions for the development of partnership relations between the Poltava Regional State Administration and the Administration of the Veliko Tаrnovо Region (June 30, 1995);

- Agreement on cooperation between the Zaporizhzhya Regional State Administration and the Burgas Region Administration (December 10, 1998);

- Agreement between Kharkiv Regional State Administration and Plovdiv Regional State Administration on trade, economic, scientific, technical and socio-cultural cooperation (April 2, 2001);

- Agreement between the Luhansk Regional State Administration and the Haskovo Regional Administration on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation (April 30, 2002) - suspended;

- Agreement on cooperation between the Odesa Regional State Administration and the Varna Region Administration (May 24, 2003);

- Framework agreement between the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration and the Pleven Regional Administration on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation (March 29, 2005);

- Agreement on cooperation between the Odesa Regional State Administration and Ruse Regional Administration (June 2, 2006);

- Agreement on cooperation between the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea of Ukraine and the Burgas Regional Administration (November 26, 2010) - suspended;

- Agreement on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation between the Poltava Regional State Administration and the Veliko Tarnovo Region (August 21, 2013);

- Agreement on cooperation between Konotop and Mezdra (May 9, 2023).

Sister relations have been established between the cities of Kyiv and Sofia, Kharkiv and Varna, Odesa and Varna, Glukhiv and Svishtov, Berdyansk and Yambol, Zalishchyki and Nova Zagora, Zhytomyr and Montana, Zaporizhzhia and Burgas, Lutsk and Pazarzhik, Sevastopol and Nessebar (suspended), Chernihiv and Gorna Oryahovitsa, Kirovohrad and Dobrich, Luhansk and Pernik, Rivne and Vidin, Simferopol and Ruse (suspended), Sumy and Vratsa, Ternopil and Sliven, Kherson and Shumen, Khmelnytskyi and Silistra, Shostka and Oryahovo, Konotop and Mezdra, Putivl and Kozloduy , Glukhiv and Kryvodol, Bilopol and Mizia, Mykolaiv and Pleven, Myrhorod and Gorna Oryahovitsa, Bolgrad and Tirgovishte, Bila Tserkva and Stara Zagora, Lviv and Plovdiv, etc.

7. Scientific and technical and educational cooperation between Ukraine and Bulgaria

Ukrainian-Bulgarian scientific and technical cooperation is carried out on the basis of the Agreement between the Ministry of Science and Technology of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria in the field of scientific and technical cooperation dated March 24, 1998.

Among the positive examples of cooperation, it is worth noting the activity of the Ukrainian IT company "SoftServe", which is represented on the Bulgarian market by its own software development centre and is included in the list of the best outsourcing companies in the world.

In addition, the energy sphere is gradually becoming the leading direction of development of scientific and technical cooperation between the two states.

Bulgaria, like Ukraine, continues to operate VVER-type reactors at its own nuclear power plants. In this regard, Ukrainian companies regularly fulfil orders within the framework of the modernization of the Kozloduy NPP.

In 2017-2019, teachers at Sofia University "St. Klyment Ohridskyi", the Institute of Energy Management and the Diplomatic Institute under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria implemented the "Energy Diplomacy" project in higher educational institutions of Ukraine, in particular, Kyiv, Odessa, Chernivtsi, Lviv, Kharkiv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Kherson. The project was supported by the US government.

During the implementation of the project, lectures were held in 16 higher educational institutions of Ukraine. In total, the project involved about 840 Ukrainian students, scientists, experts and media representatives.

The direction of modernization of the energy sector of the two states, aimed at introducing the latest technologies and increasing the efficiency of existing capacities, looks promising. Significant unrealized potential for cooperation is found in the fields of using solar and renewable energy, energy saving, increasing the supply of Ukrainian biofuel to the Bulgarian market, as well as in the field of modern technologies and telecommunications. The prospect of construction of sewage treatment plants and waste disposal and processing projects in Ukraine deserves special attention.

8.Cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria

Cooperation between Ukraine and Bulgaria in the cultural and humanitarian spheres is traditionally an important component of relations between the two countries.

During 2022 - the first half of 2023 the projects implemented in Bulgaria were aimed both at informing Bulgarian society about the catastrophic consequences of russia's war against Ukraine and the Kremlin's criminal actions, as well as at promoting our country and its European culture.

Conveying the truth about russia's war against Ukraine was the main goal of a number of art and photo exhibitions ("russia must stop its bloody aggression against Ukraine", "Stop russia's aggression against Ukraine", exposition for the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, "100 Days Of russian WoARld", "Creative Resistance", "Postcards from Ukraine", "Year of Resilience", "Icons on ammo boxes").

For the same purpose, several film screenings were organized and supported (special Ukrainian programs "Look at Ukraine with other eyes!" and "Ukraine: Chronicle of Pain" within the OKO - International Ethnographic Film Festival, screenings of the documentary film "Mariupol. Hope is not lost", "Mr.Jones", "A House Made of Splinters", "SUPERPOWER").

Resumption of Ukraine's participation in the most popular international jazz festival in Bulgaria "Bansko Jazz Festival" (6.08.2022) and the Sofia International Book Fair (6-11.12.2022), the first participation in the international literary festival "Night of Literature" (7.09.2022), The Sofia Science Festival (October 8-9, 2022 and May 11-14, 2023) and the international literary event "Poetry in the Subway" (November 15, 2022) contributed to increasing the presence of our state at important international cultural venues in Bulgaria.

Under the patronage of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska the Embassy and the Books and Children Foundation implemented the project "Present a book to a Ukrainian child", within the framework of which a charity fundraising campaign was organized. As the result - more than 6,000 books from Ukrainian publishers were printed and distributed in Bulgaria among Ukrainian children-temporary immigrants.

With the organization and support of the Embassy in Bulgaria, three "Ukrainian bookshelves" have been opened - in the Sofia Library, in the Regional Library “Peyo Yavorov” in Burgas and in the People's Library “Ivan Vazov” in Plovdiv. This project is implemented worldwide under the patronage of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.

In addition, as part of the campaign "Ukrainian books for Ukrainian children", the Embassy provided books for a number of public organizations with the aim of starting Ukrainian shelves/libraries.

9. Ukrainians in Bulgaria

Ukrainian Community in Bulgaria

The resettlement of Ukrainians to Bulgaria began in the early 19th century. According to the latest population census of 2011, 1.79 thousand ethnic Ukrainians lived in Bulgaria. Places of residence: Sofia, Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv, Pleven, Dobrich.

In 2013, the united all-Bulgarian public organization "Union of Ukrainian Organizations of Bulgaria "Mother Ukraine"” (SUOB), headed by Olena Kotseva, was registered in Bulgaria (https://www.facebook.com/MatiUkraine ). The Union includes the following public organizations in Bulgaria: Foundation "Mother Ukraine" (Sofia), "Diaspora-Ukraine" (Burgas), "Ukrainian-Bulgarian Society "Plovdiv" (Plovdiv).

There are also the public organizations "Union of Ukrainians in Bulgaria "Ukrainian Diaspora" and "Union of Ukrainians in Bulgaria "Ukrainian House" in Varna (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081182178905 )

Ensuring the rights and interests of Ukrainian and other minorities in Bulgaria is determined by the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, to which Bulgaria joined in 1999. Bulgarian legislation does not provide for the national minorities the possibility of self-government. That deprives the Ukrainian community of the opportunity not only to enjoy certain preferences from the state, but also to apply for state financing of their activities.

Mass media of the Ukrainian community

One of the two Ukrainian-language mass media in Bulgaria is the website "Ukrainski Vesti/Bolgarski Vesti" (the first name is "Ukraine Press"), http://www.ukrpressbg.com , which appeared in June 1998. It is a private project, although it is considered as a tribune of the Ukrainian diaspora in Bulgaria. The editor-in-chief is Vasyl Zhukivskyi.

Another Ukrainian-language resource that started its work in 2017 is the website www.ukr.bg . This is a news platform where, in addition to publications about key events in Ukraine and Bulgaria, current information about the city of Burgas and the Burgas region is provided.

Educational and cultural centers of Ukrainians

The Ukrainian Sunday school in Sofia was established under Foundation "Mother Ukraine" in 2002. The first class was held on November 14, 2002. According to journalist V.Zhukivskyi, such a school was established for the first time in Bulgaria after 1944. However, due to the lack of funding and the required number of students, the Sunday school was closed.

Since September 2022, the Educational Hub has been working in Sofia (https://www.facebook.com/EducationalHUBSofia ), where more than 200 Ukrainians study according to the standards of the Ukrainian educational system.

Education and meetings for Ukrainian children are also held in various centers:

educational and integration center “Ukrainian Hive” (https://www.facebook.com/uaidbg );
children center “DOBRO HUB” (https://www.facebook.com/dobro.bg1 );
Ukrainian center for Early Development “I’m smart” (https://www.facebook.com/iamsmart.bg );
Ukrainian Children's Club of Sofia (https://www.facebook.com/groups/486702071540494 ).

At the Faculty of Philology of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski there is the Department of Ukrainian Studies that provides the possibility for students to study Ukrainian language (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075600684779 ).

russia's war against Ukraine

As a result of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, more than 1 347 000 citizens of Ukraine entered the territory of Bulgaria, more than 160 000 Ukrainians received temporary protection and more than 67,000 Ukrainians remained on the territory of Bulgaria (information as of June 2023).

Citizens of Ukraine who have received temporary protection in Bulgaria have the right to work, professional training, education, social assistance, medical assistance and housing assistance. More detailed information can be found on the government portal "Bulgaria for Ukraine" - https://ukraine.gov.bg/ua/ .

The Ukrainian community in Bulgaria actively helps both in the matter of sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine and in helping temporary refugees from Ukraine who needed to stay in Bulgaria. Volunteer centers have been created at Union of Ukrainian Organizations of Bulgaria "Mother Ukraine" (SUOB) in Sofia (https://www.facebook.com/MatiUkraine ), "Union of Ukrainians in Bulgaria “Ukrainian Home” in Varna (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081182178905 ), charity foundation “Ukraine Support&Renovation” in Plovdiv (https://www.facebook.com/support.ukraine.bg ).

Useful groups on the Facebook network

Help for Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria - https://www.facebook.com/groups/338927668246444

Ukrainians in Bulgaria - https://www.facebook.com/groups/311986819925/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=10159116127434926

Education and leisure time of Ukrainian refugee children - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018257459041462

Housing for Ukrainians - https://www.facebook.com/groups/303333551942047/ .

Ukrainians in Sofia - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1082210695123292/members .

Job for Ukrainians - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2019541408266750

10. Diplomatic mission:

Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Bulgaria https://bulgaria.mfa.gov.ua/

The Ukrainian and Bulgarian peoples are related not only by their Slavic origin, ethnic and linguistic proximity, but also by a common historical fate, centuries-old relations in religious, cultural, economic, social and political life. Ukrainians participated in the Polish-Hungarian army of King Wladyslaw in the battle near Varna against the Turks in 1444.

The spirit of Cossack freedom beckoned Bulgarians fleeing Turkish slavery to Zaporizhzhya Sich. In 1762, a Bulgarian hussar regiment was even created as part of the Zaporozhian army.

During the liberation of the Bulgarian people from Ottoman slavery in 1878, history inextricably linked the destinies of the two peoples in the battles for the freedom of the Bulgarian land.

Bulgaria also became one of the first countries to recognize the Ukrainian People's Republic in 1918, when both sides opened diplomatic missions.

Ukraine became the homeland of the world's largest Bulgarian diaspora. According to the 2001 population census, about 204,600 people of Bulgarian origin live on its territory.

Bulgaria was one of the first countries to respond to the restoration of Ukraine's independence and recognized Ukraine as an independent state on December 5, 1991, and established diplomatic relations with it on December 13 of the same year.

The foundations of good-neighborly Ukrainian-Bulgarian relations were laid in such an international legal document as the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria, signed on October 5, 1992.

Bulgaria actively supports the course of European integration reforms and the agenda of the Ukraine-EU dialogue. It was the fourth EU member state to ratify the Association Agreement in 2014. New opportunities for the development of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries were provided by the introduction of a deep and comprehensive free trade zone with the EU.

Relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria are dynamically developing in the spirit of trust, good neighborliness and strategic partnership within the framework of both bilateral and regional and international organizations, such as BSEC, CEI, OSCE, Council of Europe, UN. They are aimed at ensuring support and mutually beneficial cooperation and establishing security and stability in the Black Sea region. The parties are taking measures to deepen cooperation in the trade-economic, security, defense-industrial, educational, scientific and other spheres.

The Republic of Bulgaria supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, condemned the so-called "referendum" in Crimea in March 2014 and became a co-author of UN General Assembly resolutions "Territorial integrity of Ukraine" (2014) and "Situation with human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol" (2014-2021), as well as on Russia's militarization of Crimea, the Black and Azov Seas (2018-2021). Bulgaria became a co-author and supported the resolutions of the UN General Assembly "Aggression against Ukraine" dated March 2, 2022 and "Humanitarian consequences of aggression against Ukraine" dated March 24, 2022.

The Republic of Bulgaria, as an EU member state, supports the EU's consolidated position regarding the sanctions regime against the Russian Federation due to the large-scale invasion of the territory of Ukraine. The leadership of the Republic of Bulgaria declares its support for the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and condemns the Kremlin's aggressive policy.

Political cooperation

At the level of heads of state

• An important stage in the establishment of bilateral relations was the official visit to Ukraine of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Zh.Zhelev on December 8-10, 1994.

• In March 1998, the President of Ukraine L. Kuchma paid an official visit to Bulgaria.

• On May 14-15, 1999, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria P. Stoyanov took part in the VI informal meeting of the heads of state of Central Europe in Lviv.

• On June 9-10, 1999, the head of the Bulgarian state P. Stoyanov visited Ukraine on an official visit.

• On September 10-11, 1999, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria P. Stoyanov took part in the Baltic-Black Sea Summit in Yalta.

• On September 4-5, 2001, the state visit of the President of Ukraine L. Kuchma to Bulgaria took place.

• On January 30 - February 1, 2003 - the official visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H. Pirvanov to Ukraine.

• On January 28, 2005, the President of Ukraine V. Yushchenko met with the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H. Pirvanov as part of the solemn events dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the fascist concentration camp "Auschwitz-Birkenau" in Auschwitz.

• On May 19, 2006, the President of Ukraine V.Yushchenko met with the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.Pyrvanov within the framework of participation in the 13th informal meeting of the heads of states of Central Europe in Varna.

• On December 1, 2010 - bilateral meeting of the President of Ukraine V. Yanukovych with the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H. Pirvanov within the framework of the OSCE Summit in Astana.

• On June 12, 2013 - bilateral meeting of the Presidents of Ukraine V. Yanukovych and Bulgaria R. Plevneliev within the framework of the 18th Summit of the Heads of the Central European States (Bratislava).

• On June 3, 2014 - bilateral meeting of the Presidents of Ukraine P. Poroshenko and R. Plevneliev of Bulgaria within the framework of the events on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of democratic transformations in Poland (Warsaw).

• On July 7-8, 2015 - official visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria R. Plevneliev to Ukraine.

• On April 26, 2016 - working visit to Ukraine by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria R. Plevneliev.

• On June 30, 2016 - the official visit of the President of Ukraine P.Poroshenko to the Republic of Bulgaria.

• On September 19, 2017 – bilateral meeting of the President of Ukraine P.O. Poroshenko with the President of the Republic of Bulgaria R. Radev within the framework of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly (New York).

• On May 10, 2018 – bilateral meeting of the President of Ukraine P. Poroshenko with Prime Minister B.Borisov in Aachen, Germany.

• On October 5, 2018 – joint working visit of the President of Ukraine P.Poroshenko and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria B. Borisov to Odesk region.

• On May 20, 2019 – meeting of the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyi with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria M. Nikolova as part of the inaugural events.

• On February 19, 2022 – the meeting of the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyi with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria K. Petkov within the framework of participation in the 58th Munich Conference on Security Issues and the signing of the Joint Declaration on the support of the European perspective of Ukraine.

• On March 5, 2022 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyi and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria K. Petkov.

April 18, 2022 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyi and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria K. Petkov.

• On March 26, 2022 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyi and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria K. Petkov.

• On March 13, 2022 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyi and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria K. Petkov.

• On June 22, 2022 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyi and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria K. Petkov.

Interparliamentary relations

On November 28-30, 1995, the official visit to Ukraine of the Bulgarian parliamentary delegation led by the Speaker of the People's Assembly (Parliament) of the Republic of Bulgaria B. Sendov took place.

• On June 2-4, 2003, the Chairman of the People's Assembly of the Bulgaria O. Gerdzhikov was on an official visit to Ukraine.

• On January 26, 2004, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine V. Lytvyn paid an official visit to the Republic of Bulgaria.

• On September 7, 2005, within the framework of the 60th session of the UN General Assembly, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine V. Lytvyn met with the Chairman of the State Assembly of the Bulgaria H. Pyrynskyi.

• On September 13-14, 2010, the Chairman of the People's Assembly of the Bulgaria Ts. Tsacheva was on an official visit to Ukraine.

• On February 1, 2015, the Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, O. Syroid, during a working visit to the Republic of Bulgaria, held a meeting with the Speaker of the People's Assembly, Ts. Tsacheva.

• On April 5-6, 2022, People's Deputies of Ukraine Y. Mishina and E. Chernev visited Bulgaria.

• May 7-10, 2022 – visit to Bulgaria S. Chernyavskyi, People's Deputy of Ukraine.

• April 28-May 31, 2022 – visit to Bulgaria A. Kisse, People's Deputy of Ukraine.

• May 14-19, 2022 – visit to Bulgaria E. Bragar, People's Deputy of Ukraine.

At the level of heads of government

• On July 23-24, 1996, the Prime Minister of Ukraine P. Lazarenko paid an official visit to Bulgaria.

• On October 30-31, 1997, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria I. Kostov made an official visit to Ukraine.

• On July 28-29, 2000, the Prime Minister of Ukraine V. A. Yushchenko paid an official visit to Bulgaria.

• On May 21-24, 2004, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria S. Sakskoburggotsky visited Kyiv on an official visit.

• On January 14, 2009, talks between the Prime Minister of Ukraine Yu. Tymoshenko and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria S. Stanishev regarding the resolution of the gas conflict with Russia and ensuring gas transit to Europe took place in Kyiv.

On September 1, 2009, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Y. Tymoshenko met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria B. Borisov in the city of Gdansk as part of events dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War

• September 25, 2014 a bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister of Ukraine A. P. Yatsenyuk and the President of the Republic of Bulgaria R. Plevneliev took place within the framework of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly (New York).

• On May 26-27, 2018, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria B. Borisov visited Ukraine on a working visit.

• March 9, 2022 – telephone conversation between the Prime Minister of Ukraine D. Shmyhal and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria K. Petkov.

• On April 28, 2022, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria K. Petkov paid an official visit to Kyiv at the head of a delegation of government officials and members of the National Assembly of Bulgaria.

At the level of foreign ministers

• On November 19-20, 1995, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine H. Udovenko paid an official visit to Bulgaria.

• On November 12-13, 1998, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria N. Mihailova was on an official visit to Kyiv.

• On November 28, 2000, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, A. Zlenka, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, N. Mihailova, within the framework of the 8th meeting of the Council of Ministers of the OSCE in Vienna (Austria).

• On January 24, 2001, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine A. Zlenko met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria N. Mihailova in Munich.

• On September 28, 2003, a meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine K. Hryshchenko and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria S. Pasi took place within the framework of the UN General Assembly meeting.

• On December 1, 2003, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine K. Hryshchenko met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria S. Pasi within the framework of the meeting of the Council of Ministers of the OSCE (Maastricht).

• On April 14, 2004, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine K. Hryshchenko made an official visit to Bulgaria.

• On September 22, 2004, within the framework of the 59th session of the UN General Assembly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine K. Hryshchenko met with the Chairman of the OSCE, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria S. Pasi.

• On January 23-24, 2005, the delegation of the Republic of Bulgaria headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria S. Pasi was in Ukraine in connection with the participation in the inauguration ceremony of the President of Ukraine V. Yushchenko.

• On September 17, 2005, within the framework of the 60th session of the UN General Assembly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine B. Tarasyuk met with the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria I. Kalfin.

• On November 29-30, 2005, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria I. Kalfin paid an official visit to Ukraine.

• On April 29, 2006, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine B. Tarasyuk met with the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria I. Kalfin within the framework of the stay of the Ukrainian delegation in Sofia.

• On September 25, 2007, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine A. Yatsenyuk met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria I. Kalfin during the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

• On November 27, 2007, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine A. Yatsenyuk met with the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria I. Kalfin during the meeting of the heads of governments of the CEI member states in Sofia.

• On April 22, 2008, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine V. Ogryzko paid an official visit to the Republic of Bulgaria.

• On September 23, 2008, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine V. Ogryzko met with the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria I. Kalfin during the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

• On November 28, 2008, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine V. Ogryzko met with the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria I. Kalfin during the Summit of the Heads of Government of the countries participating in the Central European Initiative (CEI).

• On December 6, 2011, Vilnius - bilateral meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine K.Hryshchenko and the Republic of Bulgaria N. Mladenov within the framework of the 18th meeting of the OSCE Regional Council.

• On November 12, 2013, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria K. Vigenin made an official visit to Ukraine.

• On March 4, 2014, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria K. Vigenin visited Ukraine.

• On June 25, 2014 - bilateral meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Bulgaria P. Klimkin and K. Vigenin (Brussels)

• On September 23, 2014 - a bilateral meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine P.Klimkin and D. Mitov of Bulgaria took place within the framework of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly (New York)

• On February 16, 2015 - official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine P. Klimkin to the Republic of Bulgaria

• On July 5-6, 2015, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine P. Klimkin and D. Mitov of Bulgaria paid a joint working visit to the Odesa region.

• On May 17-18, 2016, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine P. Klimkin took part in the 126th Ministerial meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Sofia and held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria D. Mitov.

• On September 17-20, 2020 - official visit of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria E. Zakhariyeva to Ukraine.

• On April 20, 2021 – telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and the Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria E. Zakhariyeva;

• On August 23-25, 2021 - S. Stoyev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria paid a visit to Ukraine and took part in the Inaugural Summit of the Crimean Platform, in the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine and in the events commemorating the 200th anniversary of the day of the foundation of the city of Bolgrad.

• On April 19-21, 2022 - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D.Kuleba visited Bulgaria on a working visit.

Bilateral Treaty and Legal Framework

List of current international agreements between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria

The main document regulating bilateral Ukrainian-Bulgarian relations is the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria, signed on October 5, 1992.

Тhere are 100 valid bilateral documents between Ukraine and Bulgaria, including interstate - 9, intergovernmental - 32, interdepartmental - 59.

The bilateral treaty and legal framework covers a wide range of issues related to Ukraine- Bulgaria relations, including political cooperation, trade and economy, legal assistance, humanitarian issues.

Among the key documents are:

Protocol on establishing diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria,
Protocol on establishing consular relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria,
Agreement on friendly relations and cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria, Agreement between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Bulgaria on bilateral cooperation,
Declaration between the Ministry of External Economic Relations of Ukraine and the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Bulgaria on the principles and directions of partnership and cooperation in the field of trade and economic relations,
Agreement between the Ministry of Education of Ukraine and the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Bulgaria,
Declaration on further development and deepening of cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria,
Agreement between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bulgaria on cooperation in the field of health care and medical science,
Protocol between the Ministry of Culture and Arts of Ukraine and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria on cooperation in the field of culture,
Declaration on cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria in the field of European and Euro-Atlantic integration,
Memorandum on partnership and deepening of cooperation in the field of European and Euro-Atlantic integration between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Trade, economic and investment cooperation of Ukraine with Bulgaria

Bulgaria is an important market for Ukraine’s products in the EU where a traditional positive foreign trade surplus for our state is accumulated and is the biggest trade and economic partner of Ukraine in the Balkan region.

Trade and economic cooperation

Bulgaria's share in the general structure of Ukrainian goods export amounts nowadays to 1,23%, and in the structure of Ukraine’s general goods import reaches to 0,74%.

In the years 2017-2019, general volume of trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Bulgaria demonstrated annual growth at over 20%. According to the results of 2019, the general volume of bilateral trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Bulgaria exceeded for the first time over the last decade 1 bn. US dollars.

During 2021, Bulgaria has been the 12^th export market of Ukrainian goods products among 27 EU country members and the 14^th import market of goods products to Ukraine.

In its turn, Ukraine comes into the 8 main trade partners of Bulgaria, the share of which amounted in 2021 to 59,0% from the total merchandise export of the Republic of Bulgaria in the mentioned period.

According to data of the State statistical service of Ukraine for 2021, the general volume of bilateral trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Bulgaria exceeded for the third consecutive year 1 bn. US dollars and reached a record level of 1,5 bn. US dollars. The traditional positive surplus in merchandise and services trade in 2021 to the benefit of Ukraine was 289,2 ml. U.S. dollars.

In addition, the export of Ukrainian goods to Bulgaria in 2021 increased by 163,3% compared to 2020 and amounted to 835,3 mln. U.S. dollars. In turn, export of Bulgarian goods to Ukraine increased by 187,0% and amounted to 542,0 mln. U.S. dollars. The positive surplus in merchandise trade to the benefit of Ukraine was 293,3 mln. US dollars.

Bulgaria's share in in the general structure of foreign trade in goods of Ukraine with all the countries of the world amounts nowadays to 0,98%.

The growth of Ukrainian exports of goods in 2021 was mainly due to the increase in supplies of ferrous metals and products made from them. The growth in imports from Bulgaria is explained by the increase in supplies of gasoline and petroleum products to the Ukrainian market.

The main items of Ukrainian commodity exports: ferrous metals and their products (62.5%), railway locomotives and their parts (3.7%), plastics and polymeric materials (3,1%), fertilizers (2,9%), wood and wood products (2,7%), inorganic chemical products (2,1%), oil seeds and fruits (1,7%), soft drinks and vinegar (1,8%), paper and cardboard (1,7%), cocoa and its products (1,6%), etc.

The share of Bulgaria in the total structure of goods exports of Ukraine is 1,23%.

During 2021, among the 27 EU member states, Bulgaria was the 12^th export market for Ukrainian goods.

The main items of Ukrainian import of goods from Bulgaria in 2021 were: mineral fuels, oil and petroleum products (30,4%), fertilizers (11,3%), equipment for nuclear power plants (7,1%), pharmaceutical products (6,3%), ferrous metal products from them (5,0%), electrical machines and mechanisms (4,6%), plastics and polymeric materials (3,7%), essential oils (2,5%), glass and glass products (2,4%), soap, surface-active organic substances (2,1%), etc.

The share of Bulgaria in the total structure of goods imports of Ukraine is 0,74%.

Among the 27 EU member states, Bulgaria was the 14^th import market of commodity products to Ukraine in 2021.

In 2021, trade in services between the two states developed actively.

The volume of bilateral trade in services between the two countries in 2021 amounted to 134,5 mln. US dollars. At the same time, the volume of exports of Ukrainian services to Bulgaria increased by 135,3% and amounted to 65,2 mln. US dollars, and similar indicators of Bulgarian exports of services to our country increased by 256,3% and equals to 69,3 mln. dollars USA. The positive balance in trade in services in favour of Bulgaria amounted to 4,1 mln. dollars USA.

In the structure of Ukrainian exports of services to Bulgaria in 2021, their main types were: transport services (63,0%), business services (15,8%), services in the field of telecommunications, computer and information services (12,9%) .

The share of Bulgaria in the geographical structure of export of services from Ukraine was 0.5%.

The Republic of Bulgaria ranks 18^th among EU member states in the structure of Ukrainian exports of services to the EU.

In turn, the main types of Ukrainian imports of services from Bulgaria were: services related to travel (49,9%), transport services (40,9%), business services (4.9%).

The share of Bulgaria in the geographical structure of import of services to Ukraine was equal to 0,8%.

In total volumes of Ukrainian import of services from EU member states, Bulgaria ranks 15^th place.

According to the National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria, as of the first quarter of 2022, the total volume of foreign trade in goods between Ukraine and Bulgaria amounted to 370,3 mln. US dollars (666.6 million BGN).

At the same time, the volume of Ukrainian exports of goods to the Republic of Bulgaria increased by 56.0% compared to the same period in 2021 and amounted to 272.3 mln. US dollars (490,1 mln. BGN). In turn, the volume of Bulgarian commodity exports to Ukraine during the specified period increased by 42,7% and equaled to 98,0 mln. US dollars (176.5 mln. BGN). The positive balance in goods trade in favour of Ukraine amounted to 174,3 mln. US dollars (313.6 mln. BGN).

Investment cooperation between the countries is actively developing.

According to the National Bank of Ukraine, as of December 31, 2021, Bulgaria invested USD 100,7 million in the economy of Ukraine (equity instruments and debt instruments, balances by countries of the world). The largest volume of Bulgarian investments went into the sphere of wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles – 47,2 mln. US dollars, which is 54,4% of the total volume of Bulgarian investments.

Bulgarian investments also went into the following areas: agriculture, forestry and fisheries; construction; information and telecommunications; education; art, sports, entertainment and recreation; health care and provision of social assistance; provision of other types of services. However, information on the volume of investments in these areas is confidential in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On State Statistics", since investments in them came from no more than 2 business entities.

According to experts, Ukrainian investments in Bulgaria are aimed at the metallurgical sector, tourism business, construction and real estate trade, trade and repair.

To date, about 600 companies with Ukrainian capital are registered in Bulgaria. About 350 enterprises with the participation of Bulgarian capital and representative offices of Bulgarian companies are represented in Ukraine. However, official statistics do not reflect the real state of investment cooperation, since the majority of investments are made by Bulgarian and Ukrainian companies through third countries.

Ukrainian-Bulgarian business forums are organized annually in Bulgaria (November 27, 2018, Burgas; October 18, 2019, Varna).

In 2020, a similar event was planned to be held in Plovdiv, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the format of the event was transformed into an online business conference on the Zoom platform.

On July 7, 2021, the online business forum "Ukraine - Bulgaria: opportunities for cooperation between Ukrainian and Bulgarian business during global changes" took place. The event was organized by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as the Embassies of Ukraine and Bulgaria in Sofia and Kyiv, with the participation of the business circles of the two countries.

During the Forums, the economic and investment potential of the regions of Ukraine is presented, as well as successful examples of bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation are cited. Business meetings are held in the "B2B" format.

The Ukrainian-Bulgarian Joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation remains an important mechanism of Ukrainian-Bulgarian cooperation in the economic and investment spheres.

The Honorary Consuls of Ukraine in Ruse, Plovdiv and Burgas, the Bulgarian-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry (BUIK) in Sofia, as well as the Bulgarian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Varna are ready to represent Ukrainian business interests in Bulgaria.

Cooperation in the transport and tourism spheres

It should be noted the effective cooperation in recent years in the transport and tourism spheres.

The active development of cooperation between the two states is facilitated by the presence of direct regular air connections between Kyiv and Sofia. To date, several Ukrainian, Bulgarian and international aviation companies have the right to carry out direct passenger and cargo transportation between the two states. We have a regular direct flight between Kyiv and Sofia.

In 2017, the introduction of a visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens to travel to the EU gave an additional positive impetus to tourism cooperation between the two states.

Bulgaria became one of the first EU member states to open its borders to Ukrainian citizens when the current epidemiological situation improved somewhat. It is in our interests to promote the restoration of active cooperation in the tourism sector.

According to the results of 2021, Bulgaria was visited by 250 039 tourists from Ukraine, which is 85.0% more than the same figure in 2020. In terms of the number of tourists, Ukraine is in the top five and ranks 5^th among the countries of the world that visit the Republic of Bulgaria, overtaking such countries as Romania, Turkey, Germany and Greece.

The importance of Ukrainian tourists for the Bulgarian economy is becoming more obvious to the Bulgarian leadership, which has a certain positive resonance in the Bulgarian society.

Trade in goods and services with Bulgaria in 2014 - 2022 in accordance with the State statistical service of Ukraine (mln. US dollars)

Year	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	1^st quarter of 2022 (trade in goods only)
General trade turnover	849,3	734,9	638,0	649,9	812,3	1007,6	872,3	1511,8	370,3
Export	589,6	462,8	445,0	448,5	538,5	521,4	555,4	900,5	272,3
Import	259,7	272,1	193,0	201,4	273,8	486,2	316,9	611,3	98,0
Surplus	+ 329,9	+190,7	+252,0	+247,1	+264,7	+35,2	+238,5	+289,2	+174,3

Ukrainians in Bulgaria

Ukrainian Community in Bulgaria

The resettlement of Ukrainians to Bulgaria began at the beginning of the 19th century. According to the latest population census of 2011, 1.79 thousand ethnic Ukrainians lived in Bulgaria. Places of residence: Sofia, Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv, Pleven, Dobrich.

In 2013, the united all-Bulgarian public organization "Union of Ukrainian Organizations of Bulgaria "Mother Ukraine"” (SUOB), headed by Olena Kotseva, was registered in Bulgaria. The Union includes the following public organizations in Bulgaria: Foundation "Mother Ukraine" (Sofia), "Diaspora-Ukraine" (Burgas), "Ukrainian-Bulgarian Society "Plovdiv"” (Plovdiv).

There are also the public organizations "Union of Ukrainians in Bulgaria "Ukrainian Diaspora" and "Union of Ukrainians in Bulgaria "Ukrainian House" in Varna.

Mass media of the Ukrainian community

Educational and cultural centers of Ukrainians

In 2017 the activities of the Ukrainian Children's Club of Sofia were launched.

At the Faculty of Philology of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski there is the Department of Ukrainian Studies that provides the possibility for students to study Ukrainian language.

Russia's war against Ukraine

As a result of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, more than 450,000 citizens of Ukraine entered the territory of Bulgaria, more than 121,000 Ukrainians received temporary protection and more than 87,000 Ukrainians remained on the territory of Bulgaria (information as of July 2022).

The Ukrainian community in Bulgaria actively helps both in the matter of sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine and in helping temporary refugees from Ukraine who needed to stay in Bulgaria. Volunteer centers have been created at Union of Ukrainian Organizations of Bulgaria "Mother Ukraine" (SUOB) in Sofia (https://www.facebook.com/MatiUkraine ) and "Union of Ukrainians in Bulgaria “Ukrainian Home” in Varna (https://cutt.ly/ILZtvX1 ).

Useful groups on the Facebook network

Help for Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria - https://www.facebook.com/groups/338927668246444

Ukrainians in Bulgaria - https://www.facebook.com/groups/311986819925/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=10159116127434926

Education and leisure time of Ukrainian refugee children - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018257459041462

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Ukraine and Bulgaria

Cooperation between Ukraine and Bulgaria in the cultural and humanitarian spheres is traditionally an important component of relations between the two countries. Priority directions in this area are joint cultural events, participation of Ukrainian representatives in exhibitions, concerts and festivals organized on the territory of Bulgaria and Ukraine; establishing and developing ties between educational institutions of the two countries, including at the regional level; activation of scientific exchange between teachers and students; organization and holding of conferences and seminars with the participation of representatives of both countries; signing of new agreements between universities; conducting events to mark important dates in the history and culture of the Ukrainian people; organization of events aimed at meeting the needs of representatives of the Ukrainian community in Bulgaria, etc.

The Department of Ukrainian Studies functions at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski in the context of the implementation of agreements between the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The Honorary Consuls of Ukraine in the cities of Ruse, Plovdiv and Burgas actively help to promote Ukrainian culture and to intensify humanitarian cooperation.

During the first half of 2022 the projects implemented in Bulgaria were aimed both at informing Bulgarian society about the catastrophic consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine and the Kremlin's criminal actions, as well as at promoting our country and its European culture.

The Embassy together with its partners held the following events: a documentary film program dedicated to Ukraine (March 8-11, Sofia), viewings of the #SaveUkraine - #StopWar and #Embrace Ukraine - #StrivingTogether international charity marathons on the central square in Sofia (March 27, June 21), a presentation of the book by the Bulgarian writer S. Nahum “Escape from Crimea" (April 7, Sofia), photo exhibition "Russia must stop its bloody aggression against Ukraine" (April 15-30, Sofia), charity campaign "Donate a book for a Ukrainian child" under the patronage of the First Lady of Ukraine O.Zelenska (6 000 Ukrainian books were printed and distributed), charity Days of Ukrainian Cinema within the framework of "World Cinema in Support of Ukraine" (April 18-20, 16- May 19, Sofia), photo exhibition "Stop Russia's aggression against Ukraine" in the Parliament of Bulgaria (April 21, Sofia), photo exhibition "Ukrainian World of Maria Prymachenko" (May 16 - June 14, Sofia), photo exhibition "100 Days Of Russian WoARld" (June 4-5, Ruse, June 28 - July 28, Sofia), special Ukrainian program "Look at Ukraine with different eyes!" within the framework of OKO - International Ethnographic Film Festival in Bulgaria (May 24-26, Sofia), presentation of scientific research “Crimea. Historical overview” (June 13, Sofia).

Czechia

THE CZECH REPUBLIC

1. Recognition of Ukraine: December 8, 1991

2. The establishment of diplomatic relations: January 1, 1993

3. Political relations:

Current Ukrainian-Czech political relations began even before the existence of the Czechoslovak Federation. On December 8, 1991, the Czechoslovak Federal Republic (CSFR) recognized the independence of Ukraine, and diplomatic relations between the two states were established on January 30, 1992. In May 1992, the Prime Minister of the CSFR, Marian Chalfa, during a visit to Ukraine, initialled the Treaty on Good Neighborhood and Friendly Relations, which, however, was not signed - since on January 1, 1993, the CSFR was peacefully divided into two independent states - the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.

The countdown to the recent history of Ukrainian-Czech relations began on January 1, 1993. Ukraine was one of the first countries in the world to establish diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic on January 1, 1993, the first day of the Czech Republic's existence as an independent state.

From the very beginning, cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic was characterized by dynamic development in the political, economic, and cultural spheres, active formation of the international agreements basis, and revival of bilateral contacts at various levels.

With the accession of the Czech Republic to the EU on May 1, 2004, Ukrainian-Czech relations reached a qualitatively new level.

During 2005, three high-level visits took place, which gave new impetus to Ukrainian-Czech cooperation: on February 9-10, a parliamentary delegation led by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine V. Lytvyn paid an official visit to Prague, on May 10, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic C.Svoboda visited Ukraine, and on June 14-16 took place the state visit to Ukraine of the President of the Czech Republic V. Klaus.

On December 19, 2011, the official visit of the Prime Minister of Ukraine to the Czech Republic took place.

On September 10-12, 2013, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine paid a visit to the Czech Republic, and on October 20-22, 2013 took place the official visit of the President of the Czech Republic to Ukraine.

In January 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, T. Petrshichek, paid a working visit to Ukraine, and in November of the same year, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, A. Babish, paid an official visit.

In February 2020, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine V. Prystaiko paid a working visit to Prague, during which the work of the "Ukrainian-Czech Forum" was launched, which aims to promote dialogue at the level of civil society.

In 2021, the positive dynamics in Ukrainian-Czech relations continued, in particular, on August 22-25, the Chairman of the Senate (upper house) of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, M.Vystrchil, paid an official visit to Ukraine.

The key elements of the program of his visit were participation in the founding Summit of the Crimean Platform, events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine, meetings with the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine D. Razumkov, the leader of the Crimean Tatars M. Dzhemilev, the Chairman of the Mejlis R. Chubarov, as well as a visit to the Chongar checkpoint on the administrative border of the occupied Crimea with the mainland of Ukraine.

In October 2021, the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic J. Ruzhichka took part in events in connection with the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Czech Republic has become one of the closest partners of our state in Europe, which demonstrates incredible solidarity with our country in all spheres. Despite the war, Ukrainian-Czech bilateral contacts have significantly intensified.

On March 15, 2022, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, P. Fiala, paid a working visit to Ukraine with the Prime Ministers of Poland and Slovenia, during which they met with the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of Ukraine D. Shmyhal.

On June 15, 2022, the President of Ukraine, V. Zelenskyy, delivered a speech before the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

On July 14-15, 2022, the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine O. Stefanishyna paid a working visit to the Czech Republic with the aim of participating in an informal meeting of European Affairs Ministers within the framework of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The contacts at the inter-parliamentary level have significantly intensified. On April 14, 2022, the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic M. Vystrchil paid a working visit to Ukraine.

In March and June 2022, the Special Envoy of the President of Ukraine, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine O. Kornienko and Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine O. Kondratyuk visited the Czech Republic.

On June 21, 2022, President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation with Czech Prime Minister P. Fiala about the upcoming European Council meeting, during which the issue of granting Ukraine the EU candidate status was considered. P. Fiala assured the Ukrainian President that the Czech Republic would support the decision to grant Ukraine the status of an EU candidate during the European Council meeting.

On July 4, 2022, on the sidelines of the International Conference on the Recovery of Ukraine in Lugano, Prime Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Shmyhal held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic P. Fiala to discuss further steps to counter Russian aggression and ways to implement the Recovery Plan for Ukraine.

On August 23, 2022, at the invitation of President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic P. Fiala took part in the summit of the international Crimean Platform, which took place online.

On October 6, 2022, Prime Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Shmyhal paid a working visit to the Czech Republic to participate in the First Meeting of the European Political Community. During the visit, the Prime Minister of Ukraine also held negotiations with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic P. Fiala.

On October 31, 2022, a delegation of the Czech Republic headed by Prime Minister P. Fiala visited Ukraine to hold the first Ukrainian-Czech intergovernmental consultations, which was another confirmation of the country's comprehensive support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. During the visit, P. Fiala also held bilateral negotiations with Prime Minister of Ukraine D. Shmyhal and President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy.

The meetings resulted in the signing of a Joint Statement in which the Prime Ministers of Ukraine and the Czech Republic called on the international community to toughen sanctions pressure on Russia. The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic also signed a Joint Declaration on Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic perspective, which states "the Czech side's support for Ukraine's NATO membership prospects."

The Czech Republic remains a reliable partner of Ukraine in the international arena, primarily in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state, consistently supports Ukraine's European integration and Euro-Atlantic course, and also provides assistance in resisting Russian aggression.

4. Trade and economic relations:

According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, in 2022 the commercial turnover of foreign trade in goods and services with the Czech Republic totalized 2874,4 million US dollars (it was less for 6,0% or 181,9 million US dollars than in 2021), of which exports – 1294,9 million US dollars, imports – 1577,5 million US dollars.

During the mentioned period, trade in goods amounted to: Ukrainian exports – 1252,1 million US dollars, imports – 1539,6 million US dollars.

According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the structure of trade in goods with the Czech Republic in 2022 was the following:

in exports: ores, slag and ash – 45,3%; electric machines - 17,0%; wood and wood products - 6,2%; ferrous metals - 3,1%; organic chemical compounds - 2,7%;

in imports: mineral fuels, oil and products of its distillation – 15,8%; land transport (except railway) - 15,6%; electric machines - 9,7%; nuclear reactors, boilers, machines - 7,3%; plastics.

Trade in services amounted to: Ukrainian exports - 71,1 million US dollars, imports - 37,9 million US dollars.

The structure of trade in services with the Czech Republic in 2022 was the following:

In exports: material resources – 40,0%; transport services – 21,6%; services for the processing of telecommunications, computer and information services – 19,6%; business services – 13,4%.

in imports: telecommunications, computer and information services – 22,2%; transport services – 21,1%; insurance – 20,9%; business services – 12,7%; royalties and other services related to intellectual property – 10,1%.

5. Legal base:

The legal base of bilateral relations consists of 57 documents.

Key documents:

Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Czech Republic for the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments (17.03.1994 р.);

Treaty on good neighbourly relations and cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic (26.04.1995 р.);

Treaty between Ukraine and the Czech Republic on legal assistance in civil cases (28.05.2001 р.);

Treaty between Ukraine and the Czech Republic on social security (25.07.2003 р.);

Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Czech Republic on economic, industrial and scientific and technical cooperation (16.04.2004 р.);

Protocol to the Convention between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Czech Republic on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion regarding taxes on income and property (valid since December 9, 2015, applied since January 1, 2016);

Implementation protocol to the Agreement between Ukraine and the EU on the readmission of persons (concluded on 21.10.2013);

Agreement between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic on mutual control of the quality of defense products in the implementation of military-technical cooperation from 21.10.2013.

6. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:

The cultural cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic is based on the Agreement on cooperation in the field of culture between the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic (signed on 15 December 2016). In 2021, the second meeting of the Ukrainian-Czech Civil Forum under the auspices of the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and the Czech Republic took place, and the participants also agreed on the need to strengthen cultural cooperation between our countries.

With the signing of the agreement, humanitarian cooperation between our countries has been significantly intensified. Alone with the support of the Embassy, dozens of cultural, social or commemorative events have been organized throughout the Czech Republic, that significantly improved positive image of Ukraine in Czechia.

The participation of Ukrainian artists in local art festivals of international scale is becoming systematic. As Ukrainian film industry has flourished in recent years, these have included the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, the Jihlava Documentary Film Festival, One World Film Festival, and the International Film School in Uherské Hradiště. In Prague and Brno, Ukrainian films are screened annually as part of the Ukrainian Film Week, with the participation of filmmakers and other Ukrainian guests.

Every year, Ukrainian literature is presented at the Prague International Book Fair, in which Ukraine has been a regular participant since 2015. In 2015, Ukraine was the main guest of the literary festival Month of Ukrainian Reading in Brno and Ostrava, which was attended by 31 writers. Recordings of the readings, as well as short documentary films "Ukrainian Reading" about the writers are freely available online. In recent years, quite a lot of translations of Ukrainian literature for children and adults have been published.

As the Russian war in Ukraine wages on, Czech musicians and artist are performing benefit concerts, art exhibitions in solidarity, with many of the event proceeds going to humanitarian efforts or to support Ukrainian Army.

7. Scientific and Educational Cooperation

Scientific and technical cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic develops within the framework of the implementation of the Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Czech Republic on Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which was concluded on 19 December 2011 and ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament on 17 May 2017, and the Agreement on Scientific Cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NAS of Ukraine) and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (CAS of the Czech Republic), signed on 31 October 2000.

Both Ukraine and Czechia have advanced research and development sectors of their national economies that lay the basis for the implementation of the joint projects in this field.

Currently, both countries enjoy the dynamic partnership in the fields as follows:

- IT;

- the electricity sector;

- environmental science and sustainable use of natural resources;

- biotechnology and the prevention of diseases;

- new chemical substances and materials;

- engineering;

- social sciences, humanities, arts.

There is an ongoing development in cooperation between Ukrainian and Czech universities. The Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv is actively cooperating with the Brno University of Technology and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The Kherson State University is cooperating with the Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. V. Ye. Lashkaryov Institute of Semiconductor Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine cooperates with the Institute of Physics of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University. The B. I. Vierkin Institute of Physics and Technology of Low Temperatures of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine cooperates with the Institute of Physics of Materials of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The Kyiv National University of Technology and Design cooperates with the Technical University of Liberec. The Lviv National Ivan Franko University cooperates with Charles University. The Frantsevich Institute for Problems of Materials Science of the NAS of Ukraine cooperates with the Central European Institute of Technology and the Brno University of Technology. The O. O. Chuyko Institute of Surface Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine cooperates with the Institute of Environmental Technologies of the Technical University of Ostrava.

8. Ukrainians in Czechia:

According to official statistics of the Czech Statistical Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Czech Republic, as of June 30, 2022, around 579 791 Ukrainians live and work in the Czech Republic.

The statistical data on migration processes in recent years indicate that Ukrainians in the Czech Republic are the largest national minority, ahead of Slovaks, Poles and Germans.

The Ukrainian community in the Czech Republic is united in a wide chain of public organizations, which are situated in Prague, Brno, Hradec Kralove, Liberec, and Pardubice.

On the basis of the agreement with the International Ukrainian School, there is a Ukrainian Saturday School "Erudyt" http://erudyt.cz/ in Prague which issues diplomas of the state standard on general secondary education (Director - Nataliya Farkash).

In 2017, the Ukrainian cultural and educational centre "Krok" ttps://uaportal.cz/%20https:/www.uakrok.cz started working in Prague, where children are taught the Ukrainian language, literature, culture, ethnology, and geography of Ukraine (head of organization - Taras Kostiuk).

In 2018, Saturday Ukrainian schools began to operate in the cities of Brno (Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center of Brno https://www.ukrcentrum.cz/ , director - Mykola Buryak) and Hradec Králové (Ukrainian Saturday school "Nytochka Rodovodu", director - Natalia Dotsenko).

Church is also an important unifying factor for Ukrainians in the Czech Republic. There are Greek Catholic churches in the cities of Prague, Brno, Liberec and Mlada Boleslav, Pardubice, in which worship services are held also in Ukrainian language.

The two oldest Ukrainian organizations in the Czech Republic – The Ukrainian Initiative in the Czech Republic and the Union of Ukrainians and Supporters of Ukraine – represent the Ukrainian national minority in the Government Council for National Minorities of the Czech Republic and in the Committee for Cooperation with Self-Governing Bodies.

9. Diplomatic missions

The Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic, the Consulate of Ukraine in Brno.

Denmark

1. Recognition of Ukraine: 31 December 1991.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: 12 February 1992.

3. Political Dialogue

The Ukrainian Embassy in Copenhagen was opened in 1995. The Danish Embassy in Kyiv has been operating since 1992. In addition, the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in the city of Outrup was opened in 2020 and the Honorary Consulate of Denmark in the city of Mykolaiv in 2023.

The bilateral legal framework includes more than 70 agreements.

Denmark considers Ukraine as a large and important partner in the Eastern European region. Ukraine considers Denmark as one of the key partners in the region of Northern Europe, an active supporter of our state in the European Union.

The interests of Ukraine and Denmark coincide in many areas. This primarily concerns strengthening civil society, protecting human rights, creating conditions for attracting investments, improving energy efficiency, maintaining environmental balance, ensuring cyber resilience, etc.

This promotes an active political dialogue which takes place at the level of heads of state and government, speakers of parliaments and foreign ministers.

During the diplomatic relations, the President of Ukraine paid three visits to Denmark in 2007, 2017 and 2023. In addition, the President of Ukraine took part in the Ukraine-EU Summit held in Copenhagen in 2002 during the Danish EU presidency. Next Denmark’s presidency of the Council of the EU will be during July-December 2025.

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine paid official visits to Denmark in 1999, 2009 and 2023. Speakers of the Folketing visited Ukraine in 2005, 2015 and 2016.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine paid a visit to Denmark in 2018, during which the heads of government of both countries opened the second international Ukraine Reform Conference. The Prime Minister of Denmark visited Ukraine in 2016, 2022 and 2023, and the Deputy Prime Minister – in 2008.

Members of the Danish Royal Family also visited Ukraine during numerous visits. In particular, HRH Crown Prince Frederick paid a private visit to Ukraine in 2003 and 2012, HRH Prince Joachim in 1992. Prince Joachim’s official visit to Ukraine took place in 2006, and Crown Prince Frederick’s in 2011.

Ukraine and Denmark are aspiring to establish strong ties also at the regional level. Since 1989, twinning relations have been maintained between the Ukrainian capital and the Danish city of Odense. In 2023, twinning was established between Copenhagen and Kyiv, Mykolaiv and Aalborg, Lviv and Aarhus, Nikopol and Kolling, as well as between Voznesensk and Ikast.

Denmark has traditionally built ties with Ukraine in line with the European Neighbourhood Policy. It actively lobbied for the establishment of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Ukraine and the EU and consistently supported the introduction of visa-free travel to the EU for citizens of Ukraine. Subsequently, Denmark supported granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership.

The main instrument of Danish support for the democratic development and reform of Ukraine currently remains the implementation of the Danish Neighbourhood Program (DANEP) aimed at financing projects in Ukraine to fight corruption, develop democracy and human rights, support civil society with special attention to youth, promote sustainable growth, green transition, energy independence, strengthening the labour market, etc.

Within the framework of DANEP, Denmark co-finances and leads the Anti-Corruption Initiative of the European Union in Ukraine (EUACI), which aims to strengthen the capacity of anti-corruption institutions, to assist anti-corruption civil society organizations, and to implement anti-corruption measures in territorial communities.

Another important Danish project financed under DANEP was the activity of the Ukrainian-Danish Energy Centre under the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine (2015-2021), which resulted in initiation of the Ukraine-Denmark Energy Partnership Program (UDEPP) for the period 2021-2026 aimed at implementing Danish energy solutions and technologies in the field of green energy, as well as transfer of Danish experience in modernization of district heating systems.

Ukraine and Denmark join forces in finding answers to global international challenges. The two countries build bilateral cooperation that promotes mutual interests and try to jointly influence the international agenda. In particular, both countries are determined to contribute to the implementation of the global UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Denmark demonstrates strong political support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine both at the bilateral level and in multilateral formats. Denmark strongly condemns Russia’s ongoing brutal, unjustified and unprovoked war against Ukraine which it considers a gross violation of the international law, an attack on the international rule-based order and democratic values.

Denmark actively supports the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia introduced in response to the attempted annexation of Crimea and Russia’s actions to destabilize Ukraine. As an EU member, Denmark has closed its airspace to Russian aircraft, has joined all EU sanctions packages against Russia and is lobbying for new tougher restrictions. Almost all big Danish business curtailed operations in Russia or completely withdrew from that country after the start of the full-scale war. Denmark also stopped accepting applications from Russian citizens for tourist visas.

4. Military-political relations

Copenhagen actively contributed to the adoption of a decision by the North Atlantic Council to grant Ukraine “Enhanced Opportunities Partner” status. Denmark supports Ukraine in order to improve the defence capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and reform the defence sector in accordance with NATO standards.

In 2009-2019, the Air Force of Ukraine performed tasks for Denmark in Northern Greenland. For many years, Danish military advisers shared valuable experience with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and facilitated the activities of the Canadian and British military training missions in Ukraine.

With the financial support of Denmark, Peace and Stabilization Program continues to be implemented in Ukraine, which, in particular, is aimed at improving the management and efficiency of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as achieving operational interoperability with NATO.

Denmark is also a contributor to four NATO Trust Funds in Ukraine.

The Danish Demining Group (DRC-DDG) trains sappers for the pyrotechnic units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine who carry out humanitarian demining operations.

After the start of the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Denmark has been actively participating in the supply of weapons to Ukraine. As of September 2023, twelve packages of weapons have been donated.

In 2022, the Donor Conference of Northern European Allies of Ukraine at the level of defence ministers was held in Copenhagen, which created the International Fund for Ukraine (administered by the United Kingdom). The funds are directed in particular to the air defence of large cities and critical infrastructure, stabilization of the front line, creation of conditions for counteroffensive operations, etc.

Denmark sent military instructors to the UK to train Ukrainian defenders as part of the “Operation Interflex” program, and also conducts training courses for Ukrainian military on its territory.

In March 2023, the Danish government established the Ukraine Fund which coordinates Denmark’s efforts aimed at long-term support of Ukraine in the military, humanitarian and economic spheres.

In addition, Denmark actively provides Ukraine with humanitarian aid and macro-financial support.

5. Trade and economic relations

Active political cooperation between two states creates the preconditions for the development of bilateral economic cooperation which has been steadily growing in recent years.

More than 300 Danish companies operate in various spheres of the economy of Ukraine.

In 2016-2021, trade between Ukraine and Denmark increased significantly. Before the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine, Denmark was one of the 50 largest trade partners of Ukraine, 43^rd largest partner of Ukraine in trade in goods and 19^th in trade in services. According to the Danish statistics, for 2022 the volume of bilateral foreign trade turnover amounted to 1,07 billion US dollars.

Key articles of export of Ukrainian goods to Denmark are as follows: textile products, furniture, clothing and accessories, iron and steel, wood products, electrical appliances.

The main articles of import of Danish goods: textile products, medical and pharmaceutical products, meat and offal, crude mineral oil and its products, vehicles, electrical appliances, machinery and equipment for industry, feed.

The total volume of direct investments from Denmark in the economy of Ukraine at the beginning of 2023 amounted to 452 million USD. Assets consist of direct investments of 325 million USD and portfolio investments of 127 million USD.

The main investment capital is invested in agriculture, forestry and fishing, processing industry, wholesale and retail trade and repair, professional, scientific and technical activities.

In April 2022, Denmark assumed a leading role in the reconstruction of Mykolaiv and is actively rebuilding the city's infrastructure. In March 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding was concluded regarding the establishment of a partnership between Mykolaiv, the Mykolaiv region and Denmark. The concept of the partnership between Denmark and Mykolaiv envisages establishing cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, good governance, shipping, transportation, urban planning, businesses development, green transition, youth and culture.

6. Ukrainian community in Denmark

Before the beginning of the Russian full-scale war, more than 16 thousand Ukrainians lived on the territory of Denmark. The estimated number of temporarily displaced Ukrainians who arrived in the country after the Russian invasion in February 2022 is up to 50 thousand people.

Several organizations of Ukrainians abroad are registered in Denmark, including “Lastivka”, “Klub Ukraina”, “Faino”, “Ukrainsk Sport Forening”, which in 2018 merged into the “Association of Ukrainians in Denmark” (Association af Ukrainerne i Danmark), which, in turn, became a member of the Ukrainian World Congress. The educational public organization “Danish-Ukrainian Society” (Dansk-Ukrainsk Selskab), founded in 1992, also operates in Copenhagen.

The volunteer union “Bevar Ukraine” carries out important activities to organize the collection and delivery of humanitarian aid for Ukrainian hospitals, orphanages, schools, hospices, homes for the elderly, etc.

There are nine Ukrainian Saturday schools in Denmark, which work towards popularizing and outreach of the Ukrainian language and literature.

The Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Denmark, together with the Association of Ukrainians of Denmark, implements cultural and humanitarian projects to promote Ukrainian traditions, culture, art and history. The “Days of Ukrainian Culture in Denmark” festival has become traditional, as well as joint events to celebrate memorable and important dates for Ukraine, celebration of state and religious holidays, thematic flash mobs, summer training camps for children from the combat zones, etc.

The establishment of the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House in Kyiv (in 2021) and the Ukrainian House in Denmark (in 2023) opened new perspectives for the development of people-to-people and cultural contacts between our countries. Numerous youth organizations and individual young activists from both countries unite around important initiatives and support each other.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is represented in Denmark by the Ukrainian Pastorate of the Holy Family of the Apostolic Exarchate in Germany and Scandinavia. Services are held on a permanent basis in the Copenhagen Saint Ansgar’s Church, as well as in the cities of Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense, Randers and Vejle.

Georgia

Ukraine-Georgia political relations

Recognition of Ukraine: December 12, 1991.

Establishment of diplomatic relations: July 22, 1992.

Diplomatic institutions: Embassy of Ukraine in Georgia; Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Batumi; Embassy of Georgia in Ukraine; Consulate of Georgia in Odesa, Honorary consulates in Kharkiv and Lviv.

Agreements and legal basis:

Number of valid documents: 130 agreements, 140 politically binding joint documents between state authorities and management, subjects of cross-border cooperation and civil society.

Basic political agreement: Treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance between Ukraine and the Republic of Georgia (April 13, 1993).

High-level bilateral bodies:

High-level Ukrainian-Georgian Strategic Council (the Regulations on the High-level Ukrainian-Georgian Strategic Council was signed at the level of the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Georgia on December 13, 2019 in Kyiv);

Joint intergovernmental Ukrainian-Georgian commission on economic cooperation.

On July 18, 2017, the Presidents of Ukraine and Georgia signed the Declaration on the establishment of strategic partnership between the two countries, in which are defined the main goals:

De-occupation of the territories of two states and restoration of their territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders;
Sustainable democratic development and economic growth of Ukraine and Georgia;
Full integration into the EU and NATO.

In accordance with these strategic tasks, the Declaration outlines ten areas of coordinated policy of the two states.

General issues.

Georgia constantly supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity on all bilateral and international platforms and condemns russian aggression against Ukraine. Georgia joined more than 300 international initiatives supporting Ukraine (resolutions, declarations, statements, decisions).

Georgia:

- supported the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of russian aggression against Ukraine, the exclusion of the russian federation from PACE and the Council of Europe, the convening of the IMO Extraordinary Council Session "Consideration of maritime safety and the safety of sailors in the Black and Azov Seas as a result of the further invasion of the russian federation to Ukraine";

- co-authored and supported the resolutions of the UN General Assembly "Aggression against Ukraine" (03/02/2022), "Humanitarian consequences of aggression against Ukraine" (03/24/2022), "Suspension of russia's membership in the UN Human Rights Council" (04/07/2022), "Territorial integrity of Ukraine: protection of the principles of the UN Charter" (10/12/2022), "Situation with human rights in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine" (12/15/2022), "Provision of legal remedies and reparations in in connection with the aggression against Ukraine" (11/14/2022), "The principles of the UN Charter underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine" (02/23/2023);

- joined the EU declaration on the atrocities committed by russia in Bucha and other cities of Ukraine (04/07/2022), the Final Statement of the participants of the Second Summit of the International Crimean Platform (08/23/2022), the Joint Declaration of the Participants of the First Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimean Platform (10/25/2022), the Statement of the OSCE Permanent Council regarding the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor (11/24/2022), and also supported the "Bucha declaration on responsibility for the most serious crimes under international law committed on the territory of Ukraine" (03/31/2023).

Ukraine, in turn, continues to support Georgia's initiatives in bilateral and international formats aimed at preserving sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. In particular, Ukraine supported:

- the Georgia-initiated UNGA resolution "Status of Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, Georgia" (06/09/2022 and 06/07/2023), which recognizes the right of all refugees and forcibly displaced persons (IDPs ) to return to Abkhazia and "South Ossetia";

- Georgia's Statement at the 1387th meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council regarding the 14th anniversary of the russian military aggression against Georgia (09/02/2022);

- Georgia's election as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the second time (10/12/2022),

- the adoption of the 26th (11/16/2022) and 27th (04/19/2023) reports of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the conflict in Georgia, of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe report on human rights violations in the russian-occupied territories of Georgia in 2022 (02/22/2022);

- the candidacy of Georgia to the UNEP INC Bureau (04/26/2023).

Recent contacts at the highest level:

2023

March 31 - participation of the President of Georgia S.Zourabishvili in the "Bucha Summit";

2022

October 24-26 – participation of the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Sh.Papuashvili in the first parliamentary summit of the international "Crimean Platform" (Zagreb, Croatia);

August 23 – participation of the President of Georgia S.Zourabishvili in the second summit of the international "Crimean Platform";

April 16 – visit of the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Sh.Papuashvili to Ukraine and a meeting with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R.Stefanchuk;

April 13 – video conference conversation between the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R.Stefanchuk and the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia Sh.Papuashvili;

2021

November 11 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of Georgia I.Garibashvili;

November 11 – telephone conversation between the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R.Stefanchuk and the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia K.Kuchava;

October 21-22 – the 10th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Georgian Commission on Economic Cooperation;

October 5-7 – working visit of the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia K.Kuchava to Ukraine for participation in the events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy;

August 23 – participation of the Prime Minister of Georgia I.Garibashvili in the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform;

August 21-22 – official visit of the Prime Minister of Georgia I.Garibashvili to Ukraine;

July 19 – working visit of the President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy to Georgia for participation in the Batumi International Conference and signing the Declaration of the "Associated Trio" at the level of the Presidents of Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova with the participation of the President of the Council of Europe Sh.Michel;

June 23 – official visit of the President of Georgia S.Zourabichvili to Ukraine;

June 2-4 – official visit of the Prime Minister of Ukraine D.Shmyhal to Georgia;

May 17 – official visit of the Vice-Prime Minister of Georgia, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia D.Zalkaliani to Ukraine – meeting with the President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy;

May 7 – telephone conversation between the Prime Minister of Ukraine D.Shmyhal and the Prime Minister of Georgia I.Garibashvili;

April 15 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and the President of Georgia S.Zourabichvili;

2020

December 29 – telephone conversation between the Prime Minister of Ukraine D.Shmyhal and the Prime Minister of Georgia G.Gakharia;

2019:

December 13 – official visit of the Prime Minister of Georgia G.Gakharia to Ukraine (Kyiv) – meeting with the President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy;

September 26 – meeting of the President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy with the President of Georgia S.Zourabichvili in the framework of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly (New York);

September 1 – meeting of the President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy with the President of Georgia S.Zourabichvili during the events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War (Warsaw);

May 20 – meeting of the President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy with the President of Georgia S.Zourabichvili during the inauguration ceremony (Kyiv).

Hungary

Hungary

1. Recognition of Ukraine’s independence:

Hungary was the third country after Poland and Canada to recognize Ukraine’s independence on December 3, 1991.

2. Diplomatic relations:

On December 3, 1991, the Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Hungary was signed and entered into force. Thus, Hungary became the first country with which Ukraine established diplomatic relations after the restoration of its independence. On the same day, Hungary was the first to open its embassy in the Ukrainian capital, and on March 24, 1992, the Ukrainian embassy in Hungary was solemnly opened and became the first diplomatic mission of Ukraine abroad.

3. Political relations:

Bilateral relations between Ukraine and Hungary are among the priorities for the Ukrainian side in view of the neighborhood of the two countries, Hungary's membership in the EU and NATO, as well as Ukraine's interest in cooperation with the Visegrad Group.

An important aspect in bilateral relations is the residence of about 150,000 ethnic Hungarians on the territory of Ukraine, and over 7,000 Ukrainians on the territory of Hungary.

President of Hungary János Áder took part in the inaugural Summit of the Crimea Platform on August 23, 2021. Hungary joined the Declaration of the Crimea Platform. On November 26, 2022 President of Hungary Katalin Novák paid a visit to Kyiv to participate in the Grain Initiative of the President of Ukraine and in the events to mark the 90^th anniversary of Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine.

The last telephone conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán took place on June 21, 2022.

The last in-person meeting at the level of heads of foreign ministries of the two countries took place on July 22, 2021, during the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijjártó to Ukraine as a Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. On December 27, 2021 the last telephone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijjártó was held.

A number of joint bilateral commissions and working groups have been established between Ukraine and Hungary, the key ones are the Joint Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Hungarian Commission on Economic Cooperation, Ukrainian-Hungarian Intergovernmental Commission on Cross-Border Cooperation, Ukrainian-Hungarian Joint Commission on Ensuring the Rights of National Minorities, Ukrainian-Hungarian working Group on Education, Ukrainian-Hungarian Joint Commission on Border Traffic Control and Ukrainian-Hungarian Working Group on Agriculture.

In addition, Hungary joined the Grain from Ukraine initiative, allocating about 3.5 million USD for the exports of Ukrainian grain.

4. Trade and economic cooperation:

According to the State Customs Service of Ukraine, export of goods from Ukraine to Hungary in 12 months of 2022 amounted to 2.274 billion USD (increased by 39.6%), import of goods – 1.284 billion USD (decreased by 46.7%), trade balance is positive – 989.8 million dollars. USA.

The main export goods from Ukraine to Hungary in 2022 were: electronic heating devices and devices; electric irons, corn, sunflower seeds, insulated wires, cables and other insulated electrical conductors; fiber-optic cables, electrical telephone or telegraph devices; videophones, sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oils. The main goods imported from Hungary to Ukraine in 2022 were: petroleum gases, insulated wires, cables and other insulated electrical conductors; fiber-optic cables, passenger cars and other motor vehicles, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, disinfectants, pharmaceuticals dosed or packaged for retail trade, animal feed products.

According to the National Bank of Ukraine, as of December 31, 2021, Hungary invested 377.9 million USD to the economy of Ukraine, which accounted for about 1% of the total volume of direct investments to Ukraine, Ukraine invested to Hungary – 4.4 million USD.

5. Legal framework:

The legal basis of Ukrainian-Hungarian relations covers a wide range of cooperation in the political and economic spheres, transport, culture and education, social and consular issues. It consists of over a hundred international agreements and treaties. The main document is the Treaty on the Foundations of Good-Neighborly Relations and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Hungary, signed on December 6, 1991 (entered into force on June 16, 1993).

6. Ukrainian community:

The Ukrainian minority in Hungary consists of mostly natives of Western Ukraine, who moved to Hungary during the second half of the 20th century. These are mostly first- and second-generation Ukrainian migrants, who started families or moved to Hungary for permanent residence together with Ukrainian families.

According to the latest Hungarian population census (October - November 2011), 7,396 people identified themselves as Ukrainians on the territory of Hungary. The Ukrainian ethnic group was ranked seventh among the 13 historical national minorities of Hungary (after the Roma, German, Slovak, Romanian and Croatian minority).

According to the census of the year 2011, 3,384 people in Hungary recognized Ukrainian as their mother tongue and actively followed national and cultural traditions. Among the persons belonging to the Ukrainian minority, 4,638 are citizens of Hungary (62.7%).

Several joint groups and cultural and educational organizations of the Ukrainian community are officially registered and operating in Hungary, the main ones are: Society of Ukrainian Culture of Hungary (TUKU), Ukrainian Cultural Association of Csongrad Region, Association of Ukrainian Youth and Families of Hungary “New Wave", Ukrainian Association "Unity". These organizations are members of the Advisory Council, established at the Embassy of Ukraine in Hungary on January 22, 2021.

7. Diplomatic missions of Ukraine and Hungary:

Embassy of Ukraine in Hungary and Consulate of Ukraine in Nyiregyháza. There are also two honorary consular institutions in Hungary: Honorary Consulate General in Szeged and Honorary Consulate in Siófok.

Montenegro

Political relations between Ukraine and Montenegro

Recognition of the independence of Montenegro by Ukraine: 15.06.2006

Establishment of diplomatic relations: 22.08.2006.

Diplomatic missions: Embassy of Ukraine in Montenegro. Ambassador – Oleh Herasymenko. Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Nikšić. Honorary Consul - Predrag Milović.

Embassy of Montenegro in Ukraine.

Honorary Consulate of Montenegro in Odessa. Honorary Consul – Stanislav Dovhyi.

Honorary Consulate of Montenegro in Kharkiv. Honorary Consul – Olga Oleksienko.

Political dialogue

October 14, 2008 - official visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Milan Ročen to Ukraine.

June 11, 2010 - meeting of Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Lytvyn with President of the Parliament of Montenegro Ranko Krivokapić (Limassol, Cyprus).

November 4, 2011 - working meeting of Prime Ministers of Ukraine and Montenegro during the Summit of the Heads of Government of the CEI member countries (Belgrade).

December 8-9, 2011 - visit of Prime Minister of Ukraine to Montenegro.

December 3-7, 2013 - participation in the OSCE Ministerial Conference (Kyiv): President of the Parliament of Montenegro, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Ranko Krivokapić, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro Igor Luksić.

March 31 - April 1, 2014 - meeting of President of the Parliament of Montenegro, President of the OSCE Ranko Krivokapić with Head of the Verkhovna Rada, acting President of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov (Kyiv).

September 1, 2015 - telephone conversation of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin with Vice Prime Minister - Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro Igor Luksić.

August 24, 2017 - visit of Minister of Defenсe Predrag Bošković to Kyiv at the invitation of the President of Ukraine to participate in the official events on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of Independence of Ukraine and the 100-th anniversary of the founding of the Ukrainian National Army.

January 23-26, 2019 - working visit of Minister for Temporarily Occupied Territories and IDPs Viktor Chernysh to Montenegro.

February 16, 2019 - meeting of President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko with President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović during the 2019 Munich Security Conference, Germany.

May 30 - June 01, 2019 - working visit of Minister for Temporarily Occupied Territories and IDPs Viktor Chernysh to Montenegro, participation in the “To Be Secure Forum”, Budva.

June 19, 2021 - meeting of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Đorđe Radulović during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Turkey.

August 23, 2021 - participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Đorđe Radulović in the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform.

December 03, 2021- participation of Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna in the Summit of Heads of State of the Central European Initiative, Montenegro.

May 14, 2022 - meeting of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ranko Krivokapić during the informal meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of NATO member countries on May 14-15, 2022, Germany.

June 15, 2022 - official visit of Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović to Ukraine.

August 23, 2022 - Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović took part in the Second Summit of the International Crimean Platform in an online format.

October 24-25, 2022 - President of Skupština (Parliament) of Montenegro Danijela Đurović took part in the First Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimean Platform in Zagreb, Croatia, meeting between Chairman of the Verkhovra Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk and President of Skupština Danijela Đurović.

November 23-24, 2022 – working visit of acting Defenсe Minister Filip Adžić to Ukraine.

December 5, 2022 – online negotiations between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović, signing of the Joint Declaration on the Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.

March 31, 2023 - President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović took part (in a video format) in the Bucha Summit.

April 4, 2023 - meeting of Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmyrto Kuleba during the meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Commission as part of the two-day NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting on April 4-5, 2023 in Brussels.

June 1, 2023 - meeting of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy with President of Montenegro Yakov Milatović on the sidelines of the 2^nd summit of the European Political Community in Chišinău, Republic of Moldova.

Bilateral high-level bodies

Ukrainian-Montenegrin Working Group on Tourism. First meeting was held 31.05.2013.

Legal base

The number of documents - 36.

Key bilateral documents:

Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Montenegro on visa regime for travel of nationals of Ukraine and Montenegro (15.06.2010),
Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and Montenegro (18.11.2011),
Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Montenegro on cooperation in the field of tourism (10.12.2011);
Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Montenegro on cooperation in protecting against natural and other disasters (14.06.2013).

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Ukraine and Montenegro

The Embassy of Ukraine in Montenegro contributes to the development of bilateral relations between Ukraine and Montenegro in cultural and humanitarian spheres.

The main areas are:

promotion of the Ukrainian culture;

strengthening ties of educational, scientific and research institutions of Ukraine and Montenegro;

cooperation with Ukrainians abroad;

holding events dedicated to important dates in the history of Ukraine.

The Embassy organizes or supports cultural events with the participation of the Ukrainian community in Montenegro and Montenegrin citizens, and contributes to supporting dialogue between Ukrainians and Montenegrins and expanding awareness among Montenegrins of Ukrainian culture, history and traditions.

On 18 March 2022, the first organization of Ukrainians in Montenegro "Dobro djelo" (Good Deed) was established. The organization primarily focuses on providing assistance and support to Ukrainian displaced persons in Montenegro, and carries out various activities in the cultural sphere.

In 2011 in the center of Podgorica, on the territory of the City Park, a pedestal of the famous Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko was erected. The total height of the composition is 3.2 meters, cast in bronze.

In 2013 in Kyiv, a monument of Montenegrin national leader and poet Petar Njegoš was erected.

Bilateral Treaty and Legal Framework between Ukraine and Montenegro

№	Date of signing	Date of entry into force	Title
1.	24.02.1962	27.11.1996/ 09.10.2019*	Agreement between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Federative Republic of Yugoslavia on mutual legal assistance in civil, family and criminal matters
2.	27.11.1996	27.11.1996	Agreement on cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts
3.	09.01.2001	09.01.2001/ 09.10.2019*	Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on science and technical cooperation
4.	22.03.2001	30.11.2001/ 09.10.2019*	Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and on capital
5.	01.10.2001	05.07.2005/ 09.10.2019*	Consular convention between Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
6.	01.10.2001	29.01.2003/ 09.10.2019	Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on cooperation in the area of health and medical science
7.	23.08.2002	23.08.2002/ 09.10.2019*	Memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of transport of Ukraine and the Maritime Administration of Yugoslavia on recognition of certificates pursuant to regulation 1/10 of the International Convention on Standards of training, certification and watch keeping for seafarers
8.	17.06.2009	01.06.2010	Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Montenegro on mutual assistance in customs matters
9.	22.06.2009	22.06.2009	Agreement on cooperation between the State Archives Committee and the State Archives of Montenegro
10.	15.06.2010	24.10.2010	Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Montenegro on visa regime for travel of nationals of Ukraine and Montenegro
11.	16.10.2010	16.10.2010	Agreement on cooperation between the Federation of Employers of Ukraine and the Federation of Employers of Montenegro
12.	19.10.2010	19.10.2010	Agreement on cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Montenegro
13.	18.11.2011	18.11.2011	Protocol on Access to Markets in Goods and Services in the Framework of Montenegro's Accession to the WTO
14.	18.11.2011	01.01.2013	Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and Montenegro
15.	09.12.2011	08.12.2015	Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Montenegro on air services
16.	09.12.2011	01.01.2013	Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Montenegro on cooperation in the field of culture
17.	09.12.2011	09.12.2011	Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Montenegro on cooperation in the field of tourism
18.	09.12.2011	09.12.2011	Agreement between the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defence of Montenegro on cooperation in the field of defence
19.	12.03.2013	12.03.2013	Agreement on cooperation between the State Intellectual Property Service of Ukraine and the Intellectual Property Office of Montenegro
20.	13.06.2013	13.06.2013	Agreement between the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education of Montenegro on cooperation in the field of youth policy, physical education and sports
21.	13.06.2013	13.06.2013	Memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro in the fight against crime
22.	13.06.2013	15.12.2016	Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Montenegro on cooperation in the field of protection against natural and other disasters
23.	17.09.2013	17.09.2013	Agreement between the Ukrainian National ICC and the CCI of Montenegro on cooperation and promotion of international trade
24.	09.12.2011	12.12.2017	Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Montenegro in the field on education and science
25.	20.01.2020	20.01.2020	Memorandum of understanding between the Public Joint Stock Company “Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine” and Radio i Televizija Crne Gore

* date of entry into force according to the Agreement on Succession between Ukraine and Montenegro

Cooperation between regions of Ukraine and Montenegro

№	Date of signing	Date of entry into force	Title
1.	03.04.2009	03.04.2009	Protocol on cooperation between the Lviv Regional Administration and the City Hall of Podgorica
2.	25.06.2009	25.06.2009	Protocol on cooperation between the mayoralties of Sviatohirsk (Donetsk region) and Danilovgrad
3.	06.09.2009	06.09.2009	Protocol on cooperation between Uzhhorod and Ulcinj city halls
4.	04.12.2009	04.12.2009	Protocol on cooperation between the Kyiv City State Administration and the City Hall of Budva
5.	04.12.2009	04.12.2009	Protocol on cooperation between the Odessa Regional Council and the Herceg Novi Assembly
6.	06.07.2010	06.07.2010	Protocol on cooperation between Slovianoserbsk (Luhansk region) and Kolašin
7.	04.02.2011	04.02.2011	Protocol on cooperation between Mariupol and Bar
8.	04.02.2011	04.02.2011	Protocol on cooperation between Bila Tserkva and Bijelo Pole
9.	17.04.2011	17.04.2011	Protocol on cooperation between Kharkiv and Cetinje
10.	30.05.2011	30.05.2011	Protocol on cooperation between Marhanets and Pljevlja
11.	08.09.2021	08.09.2021	Agreement on the establishment of friendly relations between the cities - Kyiv, Ukraine and Podgorica, Montenegro

Norway

1. Recognition of Ukraine: 24 December 1991.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: 5 February 1991.

3. Bilateral contractual and legal basis

The contractual and legal base of bilateral relations consists of 43 international agreements, including interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements, and other bilateral political documents that have been signed on a high political level.

4. Historical ties between Ukraine and Norway

Historical contacts between Ukraine and Norway date back to the end of the first millennium AD. In 975-1066, Norway and Kyivan Rus maintained particularly friendly relations. Numerous descendants of Norwegian kings and nobles stayed at the Kyiv court, where they studied military affairs and could also participate in campaigns against Constantinople (Scandinavian name - Miklagard).

Future legendary Norwegian king Ulav Tryugvason (b. 968 - d. 1000), who spent many years in Kyiv during his exile, was raised at the court of Volodymyr the Great in Kyiv from the early childhood. The future king of Norway Magnus the Good (years of the reign: 1035 – 1047) also spent several years in Kyiv.

However, the most legendary in the thousand-year history of relations between Kyiv and Oslo was the marriage of Harald Hardraade and daughter of Yaroslav the Wise and Ingigerda -Elizabeth (Scandinavian name - Ellisiv). Harald spent a long time at the court of Prince Yaroslav, together with Magnus, who was Harald's nephew. Norwegian sagas say that after Yaroslav the Wise refused to allow Harald to marry Elizabeth, he left for Constantinople and returned with the glory an invincible warrior and great treasures. In 1045, Harald and Elizabeth got married, and next year left for Norway.

After the death of Magnus in 1047, Harald Hardrade became the King of Norway and the same year founded a new capital of Norway - Oslo, turning the city into the new royal residence. In 1066, Harald died at the Battle of Britain.

5. Political issues

18.10.2016 – as a result of the first official visit of the President of Ukraine to Norway relations between Ukraine and Norway were officially declared as an intergovernmental partnership.

Ukraine considers Norway to be one of its important European partners with a significant untapped cooperation potential. Recent years have been characterized by a particularly dynamic development of Ukrainian-Norwegian relations, in particular, a significant intensification of bilateral political dialogue. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale war, Norway has provided Ukraine with practical support in all key areas of cooperation, including: supply of high-precision weapons, economic and financial support, humanitarian aid, and implementation of the sanctions policy against the aggressor-state (Norway joins the EU sanctions against Russia, although it is not a member of the EU).

In addition to the activities within the framework of the political dialogue, regular contacts between Ukraine and Norway take place at the interinstitutional and expert levels, in particular through the ministries of foreign affairs, defence, energy, education, health care and other institutions.

A number of new initiatives and mechanisms for cooperation have been established within the framework of bilateral relations, in particular, the Ukrainian-Norwegian intergovernmental commission on cooperation in trade, business and economy, Ukrainian-Norwegian dialogue on European integration, initiative to increase energy efficiency, cooperation programs in the medical field, initiative "Ukraine-Norway: united by history".

In 2018, the first major Norwegian investment projects in Ukraine in the field of renewable energy were launched; development of new promising directions and projects of bilateral cooperation is ongoing.

6. Practical support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine

Norway demonstrates strong political support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine both on bilateral and multilateral levels (UN, NATO, Council of Europe, OSCE).

In 2022, Norway’s assistance to Ukraine amounted to NOK 10,7 billion (USD 1 billion).

On 6 February 2023, the Government of Norway announced an unprecedented support package for Ukraine: NOK 75 billion (approximately USD 7 billion) for the period 2023-2027 for Ukraine's military and humanitarian needs.

7. Trade and economic cooperation

Trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and Norway is regulated by the Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and the EFTA States and the Agreement on Agriculture between Ukraine and Norway. The Agreement on Agriculture, which regulates trade of agricultural products, was concluded in addition the Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and the EFTA States. This Agreement is part of the documents creating a free-trade zone between Ukraine and the EFTA States. At the same time, Norway remains less open to Ukrainian exporters than the EU countries.

During the last years, Ukrainian-Norwegian trade and investment cooperation has shown a relatively positive dynamic.

According to the Central Norwegian office for official government statistics, in 2022 the total trade turnover between Ukraine and Norway amounted to €337 million.

In 2022, exports of goods from Ukraine to Norway amounted to €62 million (in % to 2021: 94%). During the same period, imports of goods to Ukraine from Norway amounted to €275 million (in % to 2021: 100%).

In 2022, the negative trade balance for Ukraine (goods) with Norway amounted to €213 million.

The main factor that led to the reduction of export from Ukraine to Norway was russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, seizure by the aggressor of parts of Ukrainian territory and destruction of a number of infrastructure and production facilities.

8. Scientific and technical cooperation

Since 2015, the European Wergeland Center (Oslo) has been working closely with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine to reform the curriculum of Ukrainian school. On 27 January 2020, the Democratic School program aimed at supporting educational reforms in Ukraine began the 5th cycle of the project, which involved 60 Ukrainian schools. By 2020, more than 350 schools from all regions of Ukraine have been involved in the program, more than 72 trainers have been trained, several manuals on civil responsibility have been created, improvements to the 12th grade curriculum were proposed.

A notable contribution to the development of scientific and educational ties between Ukraine and Norway can be attributed to the Norwegian Center for International Cooperation and Improving the Quality of Higher Education (DIKU) that together with Ukrainian universities has implemented over 70 projects worth more than €12 million.

The joint project "Norwegian-Ukrainian Education and Research Cooperation in the field of Sustainable Management" of the Nord University (Bodø) and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv provided an opportunity to receive diplomas for 190 masters, 35 candidates of sciences and 60 teachers.

Within the framework the project on Professional retraining of military officers, veterans and their family members, which has been conducted for 15 years under the auspices of the International Fund for Social Adaptation, the Norwegian Institute of Business Administration, Nord University and 18 universities of Ukraine, 10 646 military officers, veterans and their family members received professional retraining.

Two projects of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska have been implemented in Norway: "Ukrainian bookshelves" (October 17, 2022 in Svalbard, November 29, 2022 in Agder, and December 20, 2022 in Oslo) and a Ukrainian-language audio guide on the bus tourist route in Oslo.

9. Ukrainians in Norway

According to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, as of 2023, almost 40,000 ethnic Ukrainians live in Norway with the biggest number in the cities of Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim and Drammen. There are 3 Sunday schools in Norway - Ukrainian School «Kobzar» in Norway, Ukrainian School «Ellisiv» in Oslo, Ukrainian school in Stavanger, and 7 regional public organizations, in particular:

NGO «The Ukrainian Society in Norway» (founded in 2004, Oslo);
NGO «The Ukrainian Union of Western Norway» (founded in 2009, Bergen);
NGO «Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center in Norway» (founded in 2016, Oslo);
NGO «The Ukrainian Union in Rogaland» (founded in 2016, Stavanger);
NGO «The Ukrainian Union in Trondheim» (founded in 2018, Trondheim);
NGO «The Ukrainian Union of Eastern Norway» (founded in 2020, Oslo);
NGO «The Ukrainian Union in Agder» (founded in 2022, Kristiansand).

North Macedonia

Bilateral relations between Ukraine and North Macedonia

History of bilateral relations

Relations between Ukraine and Macedonia were initiated on July 23, 1993 with Ukraine's recognition of the state independence of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Diplomatic relations were established on April 20, 1995 by exchanging notes between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia.

Official contacts were initiated in May 1996 with the visit of the delegation of Ukraine headed by the Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine V. Pustovoytenko.

The Agreement on friendship and cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Macedonia, which defines the main principles and directions of development of bilateral relations, was concluded during the official visit of the President of Ukraine L. Kuchma to Macedonia on December 16-17, 1998.

In June 2000, the diplomatic mission of Ukraine was opened in the Republic of Macedonia.

In November 2001, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Macedonia was opened.

Recent contacts at the level of Presidents:
August 24, 2021	participation of the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, in the celebrations on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine (Kyiv)
September 8, 2021	telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi and the President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski
November 01, 2021	meeting of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi with the President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski within the framework of participation in the UN Conference on Climate Change COP26 in Glasgow
May 25, 2022	meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba with the President of the Republic of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski within the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos
at the level of Prime Ministers:
February 23 and March 27, 2022	telephone conversations between the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Dimitar Kovacevski
June 2, 2022	meeting of the Vice-Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olga Stefanishyna with the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Dimitar Kovacevski on the sidelines of the Globsec security forum (Bratislava)
at the level of Speakers of Parliaments:
November 22, 2017	visit of the the parliamentary group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on inter-parliamentary relations to the Republic of Macedonia
May 29, 2018	visit of the parliamentary delegation of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia to Ukraine
June 10-12, 2021	visit of the parliamentary group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on inter-parliamentary relations to the Republic of North Macedonia
April 27, 2022	visit to Ukraine by the President of the Assembly of North Macedonia Talat Xhaferi, meetings with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi and the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk
at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs:
April 11-12, 2018	official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin to the Republic of Macedonia
August 23, 2021	visit to Ukraine by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani and his participation in the Summit of the Crimean Platform (Kyiv)
February 19, 2022	meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani within the framework of the Munich Security Conference
April 8, 2022	meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani during the visit of the "OSCE Troika" to the border of Poland and Ukraine in Rzeszów (Poland)
May 14, 2022	meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani in Berlin
May 19, 2022	meeting of the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani in Turin
May 27, 2022	visit to Ukraine by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani

Bilateral bodies of high level

The Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Macedonian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. The third meeting of the Commission was held on June 16, 2021 in Kyiv.

The Joint Committee for the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and the Republic of Macedonia. The second meeting of the Committee was held on May 28-31, 2009 in Ohrid.

Contractual and legal framework

Number of valid documents: 46 contractual and legal acts.

Key documents

Agreement on friendship and cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Macedonia (December 16, 1998)

Agreement between Ukraine and the Republic of Macedonia on free trade (January 18, 2001)

Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Macedonia on the promotion and mutual protection of investments (March 2, 1998)

Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Macedonia on the conditions for mutual travel of citizens (July 12, 2019).

Important documents that are at the stage of processing

Amendments to the Free Trade Agreement regarding the liberalization of trade in agricultural products and the inclusion of the provisions of the Pan-Euro-Med Convention

Draft Agreement on social security

Ukrainians in North Macedonia

Total number: about 500 people.

Association of Ukrainians: Community of Ukrainians in the Republic of Macedonia “Lesya Ukrainka” (about 60 people).

Poland

Political relations between Ukraine and Poland

On December 2, 1991, the Republic of Poland was the first in the world to officially recognize the state independence of Ukraine.

On January 8, 1992, diplomatic relations were established between the two states.

On May 18, 1992, the interstate Ukrainian-Polish Agreement on Good Neighborliness, Friendly Relations and Cooperation was signed.

The process of development of relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland can be conditionally divided into three periods:

1992-1993 - establishing contacts, "opening" Ukraine to the general public of the Polish political elite and Polish society, signing the first bilateral documents, mutual study of potential opportunities for cooperation;

1993-1999 - bringing bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership;

Since 1999 - s.d. - the development of strategic partnership between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland corresponds to the national interests of both states. Poland is an important ally of our country in international organizations and regional associations. As a member state of the EU and NATO, Poland consistently supports the European integration and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukraine, constantly emphasizes the need to maintain an "open door" policy for new member states, one of the largest contributors to the OSCE SMM in Ukraine. Ukraine and Poland are actively cooperating on issues of energy security and diversification of energy supply sources, cyber security, military-technical and defense industries. There is a positive trend in increasing the volume of bilateral trade. Interregional cooperation is actively developing, as well as cooperation in the field of education, science, culture, and youth exchanges. In July 2020, Ukraine together with the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Lithuania formed a regional format - the "Lublin Triangle". An example of successful cooperation between our countries is the activity of LITPOLUKRBRIG named after Prince Konstantin Ostrozky.

Since 2014, on all international platforms, the Republic of Poland has resolutely advocated the need to increase pressure on the Russian side in order to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders.

The war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (February 24, 2022) further consolidated the representatives of all political parties and forces of the Polish state and Polish society in full support of Ukraine.

In the international arena, the Republic of Poland advocates the need for the international community to increase pressure on the Russian Federation to immediately end the war against Ukraine and restore the territorial integrity of our state within internationally recognized borders.

In this regard, official Warsaw is extremely actively using the available bilateral and multilateral instruments of influence on the international arena to support Ukraine. The leadership of the Polish state during bilateral meetings, including within the framework of the EU and NATO, international organizations constantly emphasizes the need to strengthen sanctions against the Russian Federation, as well as to provide our country with military, financial and humanitarian aid.

Poland is a strong advocate of Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO. It fully supports offering Ukraine a prompt path to become a member of both organizations.

Besides, Poland is an active participant of the International Crimea Platform, which is a mechanism aimed at deoccupation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula. Poland is strongly supporting President Zelenskyy Peace Formula – a holistic plan to put an end to the Russian aggression and to ensure global security. The Polish Side is a member of the Core Group of countries convened to establish the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, to hold Russian leadership responsible for its crime of aggression. Together with the European Commission, Poland plays a key role in efforts to bring back home all Ukrainian kids, illegally deported by Russia.

Chronology of political dialogue between Ukraine and Poland

2023

CONTACTS AT THE LEVEL OF PRESIDENTS

January 11 - visit of the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda to Ukraine, the participation in the Summit of Heads of the States of the "Lublin Triangle" (Lviv)

February 9 – meeting of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi with the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda (Rzeszow)

March 27 - telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi and the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda

April 5 – an official visit of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi to Poland (Warsaw)

June 11 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi and the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda

June 14 – telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi and the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda

MEETINGS AT THE HIGH AND HIGHEST LEVEL

February 3 – meeting of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Poland Mariusz Blaszczak (Kyiv)

February 9 – meeting of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki (Brussels)

February 24 - meeting of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki (Kyiv)

March 13 – Meeting of the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Yermak with the State Secretary of the Office of the President of the Republic of Poland - the head of the Bureau for International Policy Marcin Pszydacz, the Minister for the European Union of the Republic of Poland Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk and the Minister - a member of the Council of Ministers of Poland Michal Dworczyk (Kyiv)

March 13 –meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba with the State Secretary of the Office of the President of the Republic of Poland - the head of the Bureau for International Policy Marcin Pszydacz and the Minister for the European Union of the Republic of Poland Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk (Kyiv)

March 13 - meeting of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna with the State Secretary of the Office of the President of the Republic of Poland - the head of the Bureau for International Policy Marcin Pszydacz and the Minister for the European Union of the Republic of Poland Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk (Kyiv)

March 14 – meeting of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska with the First Lady of the Republic of Poland Agatha Kornhauser-Duda (in the format of a video conference)

April 05 – meeting of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska with the First Lady of the Republic of Poland Agatha Kornhauser-Duda during the official visit of the President of Ukraine to the Republic of Poland (Warsaw)

April 05 – meeting of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki during the official visit of the President of Ukraine to the Republic of Poland (Warsaw)

April 05 – meeting of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi with Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Elżbieta Witek during the official visit of the President of Ukraine to the Republic of Poland (Warsaw)

April 05 – meeting of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi with Marshal of the Senat of the Republic of Poland Tomasz Grodzki during the official visit of the President of Ukraine to the Republic of Poland (Warsaw)

April 17 – meeting of the delegation of Ukraine headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine O. Kubrakov and the Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine A. Sybiha with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland M. Morawiecki, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Poland M. Blaszczak , the head of the Office for International Policy of the President of the Republic of Poland M. Pszydacz, the Minister of Infrastructure of the Republic of Poland A. Adamczyk and the Head of the Bureau of National Security of the Republic of Poland J. Siewiera (Warsaw)

April 17 – meeting of the delegation of Ukraine headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko with the delegation of the Republic of Poland led by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki (Warsaw)

May 14 – meeting of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki (Berlin)

INTERGOVERNMENTAL DIALOGUE

January 3 - telephone conversation between the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov and the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Poland Mariusz Blaszczak

February 3 – meeting of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Poland Mariusz Blaszczak (Kyiv)

February 24 - meeting of the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki (Kyiv)

April 13 – meeting of the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki (Washington)

May 12 – meeting of the Vice-Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olga Stefanishyna with the Minister for the European Union of the Republic of Poland Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk (Kurnik)

June 13 - Telephone conversation between the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki

CONTACTS AT THE LEVEL OF THE MFA

January 25 - telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland Zbigniew Rau

February 23 – meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland Zbigniew Rau (New York)

April 11 – telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland Zbigniew Rau

April 12 – telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland Zbigniew Rau

May 12 – Bilateral consultations of Director of the Second Territorial Department Natalia Zadorozhniuk and Director of Department of International Security Viacheslav Yatsyuk (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine) with the Director of the Eastern Department Malgorzata Kosiura-Kazmierska and the Director of Security Policy Adam Bugajski (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland) (Kyiv)

INTERPARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS

January 16– meeting of the Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Olena Kondratyuk with the Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Elżbieta Witek (Warsaw)

March 24 – meeting of the Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Olena Kondratyuk with the Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Elżbieta Witek (Warsaw)

March 24 – meeting of the Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Olena Kondratyuk with the Vice-Marshal of the Senat of the Republic of Poland, Michal Kaminski (Warsaw)

April 11 – telephone conversation of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk with the Marshals of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Elżbieta Witek

April 11 – telephone conversation of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk with the Marshals of the Senat of the Republic of Poland, Tomasz Grodzki

April 24-25 – short meetings of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk with the Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Elżbieta Witek and with the Marshals of the Senat of the Republic of Poland, Tomasz Grodzki (Prague)

May 24-25 – Official visit of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk to the Republic of Poland (Warsaw)

Romania

Bilateral relations between Ukraine and Romania

Recognition of Ukraine: January 8, 1922.

Establishment of diplomatic relations: February 2, 1992.

Political relations:

Ukraine pays special attention to developing its relations with Romania as a neighbouring state, which unconditionally supports the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. Romania does not recognize the attempted illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and russia's temporarily occupation of the part of the territory of Ukraine, supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian State within internationally recognized borders, strongly condemns russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine and breach of international norms. Romania will continue to support Ukraine as long as it is necessary to win the war launched by russia, President Klaus Johannis assured.

On 7 March 2023 the Parliament of Romania adopted the “Declaration on the occasion of the anniversary of one year since the start of the aggressive war of the russian federation against Ukraine”.

Romania joined Ukraine's lawsuits against the aggressor at the International Criminal Court, the UN International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, is a member of the Joint Investigation Team for the Investigation of Crimes of the russian federation, and also became a member of the core group of countries for the creation of the Special Tribunal.

On 1 June 2023 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Romania Klaus Werner Iohannis signed the Joint Declaration on the Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.

The aim of establishment of strategic partnership relations with Romania, given the role of this state in the EU, NATO and its strong position in the regional security system, would be a significant factor of stability in Central and Eastern Europe, the Black Sea region and an important element of the European security architecture.

Special attention is paid to deepening of bilateral cooperation with Romania in the economic and energy spheres as well as enhancement of connectivity through development of border infrastructure, which are of a strategic nature for both states.

Visits and contacts at the level of heads of state:

On June 2, 1997, the President of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, paid an official visit to Romania; the Agreement on good-neighbourly relations and cooperation between Ukraine and Romania was signed in Constanta;

on May 27-28, 1999, the President of Romania, Emil Constantinescu, paid an official visit to Ukraine (Kyiv and Chernivtsi);

President of Romania Ion Iliescu paid an official visit to Ukraine on September 17-19, 2002 (Kyiv and Odesa);

on June 17, 2003, the President of Romania, Ion Iliescu, paid a working visit to Ukraine (Chernivtsi), the Agreement between Ukraine and Romania on the regime of the Ukrainian-Romanian state border, cooperation and mutual assistance on border issues was signed;

on April 21-22, 2005, the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, paid an official visit to Romania;

on February 1, 2006, the President of Romania, Traian Basescu, paid an official visit to Ukraine;

on October 30-31, 2007, the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, paid an official visit to Romania;

on August 20, 2008, the President of Romania, Traian Basescu, paid a working visit to Ukraine;

on March 17, 2015, the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, paid an official visit to Ukraine;

on April 21, 2016, the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, paid an official visit to Romania;

on February 1, 2022, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, had a telephone conversation with the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis;

on June 16, 2022, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met with the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, who, together with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, the Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and the Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi, was in Ukraine on a visit;

on January 1, 2023, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, had a telephone conversation with the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis;

on June 1, 2023, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, held a meeting with the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in the Republic of Moldova.

Meetings of the Presidents also took place within the framework of other international forums and multilateral meetings.

High-level bilateral bodies:

The Joint Ukrainian-Romanian Presidential Commission;

The Mixed Ukrainian-Romanian border Commission;

The Joint Ukrainian-Romanian Commission on Economic, Industrial, Scientific and Technical Cooperation

The Mixed Ukrainian-Romanian Intergovernmental Commission on Ensuring the Rights of Persons Belonging to National Minorities.

Bilateral treaties:

Number of documents in force: 70.

There are 18 drafts of bilateral normative acts under consideration and processing, including 9 intergovernmental and 9 inter-agency regulations.

The main bilateral documents:

The Agreement on Good-neighbourly Relations and Cooperation Between Ukraine and Romania, signed in Constanta on June 2, 1997 (the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the Agreement on July 17, 1997, the Parliament of Romania on July 14, 1997).

The Agreement between Ukraine and Romania on the Regime of the Ukrainian and Romanian State Border, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance on Border Issues, signed on June 17, 2003 (ratified by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on May 12, 2004, by the Parliament of Romania on April 5, 2004).

The Consular Convention between Ukraine and Romania, signed on September 3, 1992 (entered into force on March 14, 1995).

Trade and economic cooperation:

According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the overall trade between Ukraine and Romania for the year of 2022 reached the amount of 5.123 billion USD, which is almost 2.3 higher than the results of 2021. The exports from Ukraine to Romania constituted 3.621 billion USD (2,4 times growth), while the imports from Romania to Ukraine estimated 1.502 billion USD (1.8 times growth). The same tendencies remained throughout the first three months of 2023. The bilateral trade amounted to 1.370 billion USD (first quarter of 2022 – 649 million USD), of which exports – 997 million USD (first quarter of 2022 – 425 million USD) and import 373 million USD (first quarter of 2023 - 123 million USD).

The main positions of Ukrainian export in 2022 and first quarter of 2023 were: grain cultures - 47%, food and beverages - 14%, non-precious metals and wares – 10%.

The main positions of Romanian import to Ukraine were: fossils and mineral fuels - 35%, chemical wares - 11%, means of land transportation other than railway – 7%. More details - http://www.ukrstat.gov.ua/.

Ukrainian community:

According to the preliminary results of the 2021 population census 45.8 thousand ethnic Ukrainians live in Romania (-5.8 thousand in comparison with 2011).

The organization that officially represents the Ukrainian national minority in Romania: The Union of Ukrainians of Romania.

Representative of the Ukrainian national minority in the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of Romania: Head of the Union of Ukrainians of Romania Nicolae-Miroslav Petrețchi.

As a result of full-scale armed aggression of russia against Ukraine, many Ukrainian citizens were forced to flee their homes seeking safety, protection, and assistance abroad. As of June 2023, over 138,000 people have been granted temporary protection status in Romania.

Diplomatic representation of Ukraine: Embassy of Ukraine in Romania.

Serbia

Political issues

Ukraine has the diplomatic relations with the Republic of Serbia on the level of embassies.

The diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) were established on 15 April 1994. The two countries hold an intensive political dialogue. There are regular contacts on different levels, aimed at realizing the bilateral treaties and enlarging the legal basis of cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Serbia.

Bilateral contacts at a high level:

January 2001 – working visit of the President of Ukraine L.Kuchma to Belgrade and negotiations with the President of FRY V.Kostunica.

The end of September – the beginning of October 2001 – visit of the Prime minister of FRY D.Pesic to Kyiv.

February 2002 – visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of FRY G.Svilanovic to Kyiv.

September 2002 - a working meeting of the presidents of Ukraine and the FRY, L.Kuchma and V.Kostunica, at the World Forum on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg (South Africa).

September 2002 – the meeting of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine A.Zlenko with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of FRY G.Svilanovic during the 57th session of UNGA in New York.

April 2003 – working meeting of the President of Ukraine L.Kuchma with the President of Serbia and Montenegro (SCG) S.Marovic at the European conference in Athens (Greece).

September 2003 – working meeting of the President of Ukraine L.Kuchma with the President of SCG S.Marovic during the 58th session of UNGA in New York.

November 2003 – official visit of the President of Serbia and Montenegro S.Marovic to Kyiv and negotiations with the President of Ukraine L.Kuchma.

February 2004 – visit of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Y.Marchuk to Belgrade.

October 2004 – visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine K.Hryschenko to Belgrade.

January 2005 – participation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of SCG V.Draskovic in the ceremony of inauguration of the President of Ukraine V.Yuschenko.

February 2005 – the meeting of the President of Ukraine V.Yuschenko with the President of SCG B.Tadic in Zagreb during the inauguration of the President of Croatia S.Mesic.

May 2005 – meetings of Vice-prime minister of Ukraine O.Rybachuk with the President of the Republic of Serbia B.Tadic, Prime minister V.Kostunica, Minister of International Economic Relations P.Ivanovic in Belgrade.

June 2005 – official visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of SCG V.Draskovic to Ukraine.

June 2005 – meeting of the Head of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine V.Lytvyn with the Head of Skupstina of SCG Z.Sami in terms of 25th session of the General Assembly of PAPSEC in Kyiv.

November 2005 – the meeting of the Prime minister of Ukraine Y.Yehanurov with the President of SCG S.Marovic in terms of the Summit of the heads of governments of the states-members of CEI in Slovakia.

December 2005 – participation of the official delegation of SCG, led by the Minister of international economic relations of SCG P.Ivanovic, in the Forum of the Community of Democratic Choice in Kyiv. Meeting of P.Ivanovic with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine B.Tarasyuk.

December 2005 – the meeting of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine B.Tarasyuk with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of SCG V.Draskovic during the session of the Council of Ministers of OSCE (Lubljana).

January 2006 – official visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine B.Tarasyuk to SCG.

March 2006 – official visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of SCG V.Draskovic to Ukraine.

July 2007 – working visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine A.Yaceniuk to the Republic of Serbia.

February 14, 2008 – visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia V.Jeremic to Ukraine.

April 8-9, 2008 – working visit of the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine K.Yelisieiev to Serbia.

November 11, 2008 – talk of the President of Ukraine V.Yuschenko and the President of Serbia B.Tadic in Warsaw in terms of celebrating 90th anniversary of the Polish statehood.

June 19, 2009 - the meeting of the President of Ukraine V.Yuschenko with the President of Serbia B.Tadic in terms of the 16th Summit of the Heads of States of Central Europe in Novi Sad.

February 25, 2010 - participation of the First Vice Prime minister, Minister for Internal Affairs of RS I.Dacic in the ceremony of inauguration of the President of Ukraine V.Yanukovych.

July 5, 2010 - official visit of the Head of National Assembly of RS S.Djukic-Dejanovic to Ukraine.

April 4-5, 2011 – visit of the Chairman of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine V.Lytvyn to Serbia.

May 30-31, 2011 – visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia V.Jeremic to Ukraine.

November 4, 2011 - visit of the Prime Minister of Ukraine M.Azarov to Serbia in terms of CEI Summit.

November 10-11, 2011 - visit of the President of Serbia B.Tadic to Ukraine.

June 6-7, 2013 – official visit of the President of Ukraine V.Yanukovych to Serbia.

July 27-28, 2013 – working visit of the President of Serbia T.Nikolic to Ukraine.

December 5-6, 2013 – working visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia I.Mrkic to Ukraine.

December 24, 2014 – working visit of the First vice-prime-minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia I.Dachich to Ukraine.

July 16-17, 2015 - working visit of the First vice-prime-minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, OSCE Chairperson-in-office I.Dacic to Ukraine.

December 3-4, 2015 - working visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine P.Klimkin to Serbia in terms of participation in the OSCE Ministerial Meeting.

July 27-28, 2016 - visit of Ukrainian delegation led by the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine on European Integration I.Klimpush-Cincadze to Serbia.

July 2-3, 2018 - official visit of the President of Ukraine P.Poroshenko to Serbia.

October 13, 2020 – meeting in Belgrade between the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Vasyl Bodnar, and the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dacic.

August 23, 2021 — participation of Mrs Tamara Vučić, First Lady of Serbia in the Kyiv Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen.

September 10, 2021 - Ukrainian-Serbian political consultations were held in Kyiv under the chairmanship of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Vasyl Bodnar, and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Nemanja Starovic.

May 19, 2022 - meeting of the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine E. Dzhaparova with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia N. Selakovic in Turin (Italy) on the sidelines of the 132nd ministerial meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Interparliamentary cooperation

On June 7, 2022, a meeting of the Chairman O. Merezhko and members of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation with the leadership of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Parliament of Serbia took place in the remote video conference mode

Support of territorial integrity and sovereignty

Serbia did not take part in the vote on UN GA resolution 68/262 "Territorial Integrity of Ukraine" (2014). The Serbian delegation voted against pro-Ukrainian UN General Assembly resolutions “Problem of the militarization of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov” (2018-2021) and “Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine)” (2016-2021). Serbia voted in favor of UN GA resolutions “Aggression against Ukraine” on March 2, 2022 and “Humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine” on March 24, 2022. On April 7, 2022, Serbia supported the suspension of the membership of the Russian Federation in the UN Human Rights Council.

However, Serbia has not yet joined the sanctions against the russian federation and has not introduced its own restrictive measures.

Bilateral institutional mechanisms

Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Serbian Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation. The last, 5th meeting of the Commission was held on April 22-23, 2013 in Belgrade.

Trade and economic cooperation

Bilateral trade in goods and services between Ukraine and the Republic of Serbia in 2021 totaled 433,5 million USD (increased by 36% compared to 2020).

export of goods and services totaled 230 million USD (↑53,6%);
import of goods and services totaled 203,4 million USD (↑20,1%).

The balance of trade in goods and services for this period is positive for Ukraine - $26,6 million.

Bilateral trade in goods between Ukraine and the Republic of Serbia in 2021 totaled 410,2 million USD (increased by 35,8% compared to 2020).

export of goods totaled 215 million USD (↑57,4%);
import of goods totaled 165,2 million USD (↑18,1%).
The balance of trade in goods for 2021 is positive for Ukraine - $19,8 million.
Bilateral trade in services between Ukraine and the Republic of Serbia in 2021 totaled 23,3 million USD (increased by 38,7% compared to 2020).

export of services totaled 15,1 million USD (↑14,6%);
import of services totaled 8,2 million USD (↑99,4%).

The balance of trade in services for 2021 is positive for Ukraine - $6,9 million.

Main articles of export: iron ore and ferrous metals (70%); increased the supply of grain crops (↑1115%), soap (↑1084%) and vessels and components (↑1327%).

Main articles of import: fertilizers ($21 mln), plastics, and polymeric materials; electric machines; paper and cardboard; ferrous metals.

Dynamics of bilateral trade in goods and services between Ukraine and the Republic of Serbia (million USD)

Indicators	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Trade turnover	674	201	294	409	267	276	264	202	276	319	450	440	319
Export	579	143	211	289	136	132	122	118	168	184	286	274	149
Import	95	58	83	120	131	144	142	84	108	135	164	166	169

According to the Ministry of Finance of the RS, about one thousand business entities cooperate with Ukraine.

According to the Agency for Registration of Business Entities, in 2020, 142 business entities were registered in Serbia, the majority owners of which are citizens of Ukraine or Ukrainian legal entities, most of which are engaged in retail trade and trade in auto parts, processing industry.

Cooperation between regions of Ukraine and regions of Serbia

Ukraine is actively developing contacts with Serbia at the regional level. This is facilitated, in particular, by the current bilateral documents on cooperation between the regions of the two countries. Yes, the following agreements are currently in force in this area:

Agreement on cooperation between the City State Administration of Kyiv and the City Hall of Belgrade (Serbia and Montenegro);
Agreement on cooperation between the city of Lviv (Ukraine) and the city of Novi Sad (Serbia and Montenegro);
an agreement between the Kyiv Regional State Administration of Ukraine and the Autonomous Region of Voivodeship of Serbia and Montenegro on trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation;
Agreement between the city of Kalush, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, Ukraine, and the city of Bachka Palanka, Autonomous Region of Vojvodina, Serbia, and Montenegro, on trade, economic, scientific, technical, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation;
agreement between the State Administration of Ternopil Oblast (Ukraine) and the Administration of the Autonomous Region of Vojvodina (Republic of Serbia) on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation;
the protocol on the intentions to promote the development of bilateral cooperation between the Chortkiv district of the Ternopil region (Ukraine) and the Kula Municipality of the Autonomous Region of Vojvodina (Republic of Serbia);
cooperation agreement between the city council of Buchacha (Ukraine) and the Municipality of Verbas (Republic of Serbia);
protocol on twinning intentions between the cities of Cherkasy (Ukraine) and Pirot (Republic of Serbia);
agreement on the association of the city of Khmelnytskyi (Ukraine) with the city of Bor (Republic of Serbia);
cooperation agreement between the Autonomous Region of Vojvodina (Republic of Serbia) and Zakarpattia Oblast (Ukraine);
the protocol of intentions between the Kirovohrad Regional Council of Ukraine and the Assembly of the Autonomous Region of Voivodeship of the Republic of Serbia.

Interregional cooperation is also developing in the economic sphere. This was evidenced by the signing of cooperation agreements between the regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine and Serbia: between the Kyiv Oblast (regional) Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Ukraine) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Autonomous Region of Vojvodina (Republic of Serbia), between the Transcarpathian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Regional Chamber of Commerce Sombor, between the Zakarpattia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Regional Chamber of Commerce of Novi Sad, between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kyiv and the Chamber of Industry of Belgrade, between the Sumy Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine and the Panchev Chamber of Commerce, between the Cherkasy Chamber of Commerce and Industry the Chamber of Industry of Ukraine and the Chamber of Commerce of Pozharevts, between the Rivne Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine and the Chamber of Commerce of Leskovets.

The establishment of interregional contacts was facilitated by the holding of Ukrainian-Serbian business forums in Kyiv on October 3-4, 2017, and in Belgrade on July 3, 2018, which were opened by the President of Ukraine P. Poroshenko and the President of the Republic of Serbia A. Vucic.

More than 100 companies representing the fields of agriculture, construction, mechanical engineering, metallurgy, pharmaceutical industry, wholesale trade, food, woodworking, and chemical industries took part in the forum. The forum demonstrated the significant interest of Serbian companies in entering the Ukrainian market and establishing direct cooperation with Ukrainian companies,

At the forum of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine and Vojvodina Metal Cluster (VMC) signed a memorandum on cooperation both at the international and national levels. They will identify opportunities for joint development and implementation of projects within the framework of EU-funded programs. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine and the VMC will cooperate to implement joint activities aimed at establishing contacts between companies and research institutes of Serbia and Ukraine, as well as at the transfer of knowledge in the field of technology and innovation. VMC is a business association working to increase the competitiveness of the metallurgical sector in Vojvodina. It unites more than 130 members, SMEs, and business support organizations. VMC members have 300+ million euros in annual revenue (of which 82+ million euros are exports).

On November 25, 2020, the Ukrainian-Serbian online business conference "Prospects of cooperation: Ukraine-Serbia" was held. During the conference, Gennady Chyzhikov, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine, Myroslav Miletich, Advisor to the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, Oleksandr Alexandrovych, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Serbia, ex-acting Minister of Agriculture of Ukraine Olha Trofymtseva, representatives of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine and Serbia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Ukrainian and Serbian companies took part in the event. The investment and tourism potential of the Khmelnytskyi region were presented at the conference.

On May 30, 2022, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Serbia V. Tolkach visited the production of the company "Perutnina Ptuj Topiko d.o.o" in Bačka Topola (Vojvodina), which is owned by the Ukrainian enterprise "MHP". A vivid example of effective cooperation between Serbia and Ukraine. The company is a leader in the production of chicken meat and chicken products. This is the result of the introduction of the latest modern technologies of production and environmental protection. It is especially pleasing that quality management and the vast majority of technologies and relevant processes were introduced from Ukraine.

Legal basis of bilateral relations

Ukraine and Serbia created legal basis of bilateral relations that, in general, provides the legal regulation of the main issues of Ukrainian-Serbian cooperation in political, trade and economical, cultural and humanitarian spheres. It includes, namely, such important documents as agreements on trade and economic cooperation, on mutual promotion and investments protection, on the avoid of double taxation, on scientific and technical cooperation, on educational cooperation, on military cooperation.

Till 2018 Ukrainian-Serbian legal basis has 73 bilateral documents, including 4 interstate, 18 intergovernmental, 23 interministerial, 6 regional agreements, 10 memoranda ad 12 protocols. 4 signed agreements wait for ratification.

14 documents are under consideration of both Sides.

List of valid documents

Interstate agreements

№	Valid	Name of the document
1	15.04.94	Exchange of Notes about the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
2	24.02.1962	Treaty between the USSR and the Federal People Republic of Yugoslavia on Legal Assistance in Civil, Family and Criminal Cases
3	01.11.1990	Trade Treaty between the USSR and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
4	11.04.1945	Treaty on Friendship, Mutual Assistance and After-war Cooperation between the USSR and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

№	Valid	Name of the document
1	16.05.1990	Treaty between the Government of the USSR and Executive viche of the Skupstina of the Socialistic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on Mutual Trips of the Citizens
2	07.06.1990	Treaty between the Government of the USSR and Executive viche of the Skupstina of the Socialistic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on Air Connection
3	18.06.1970	Treaty between the Government of the USSR and the Government of the Socialistic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on International Auto Connection
4	12.09.96	Treaty between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Socialistic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on Creation of Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation
5	27.11.96	Treaty between the Government of Ukraine and the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on Trade and Economic Cooperation
6	27.01.97	Treaty on Cooperation in the Sphere of Education, Culture and Sport between the Government of Ukraine and the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
7	20.08.01	Treaty between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments
8	30.11.01	Treaty between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on Avoidance of Double Taxation Concerning Taxes on Profit and Capital
9	29.01.03	Treaty between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on Cooperation in the Sphere of Health Security and Medical Science
10	29.01.03	Treaty between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on Scientific and Technical Cooperation
11	02.06.04	Treaty between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on Cooperation in the Sphere of Avoiding Extraordinary Situations and Liquidations of Their Consequences
12	04.08.04	Treaty between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro on Military and Technical Cooperation
13	05.04.05	Treaty between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro on Cooperation in the Sphere of Tourism
14	12.08.2005	Treaty between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro on Trips of the Citizens with Diplomatic and Service Passports without Visas
15	05.07.05	Consular Convention between Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
16	21.12.06	Note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia № 3231-6/06 from 21.12.2006 about the Principle of Mutuality between Ukraine and the Republic of Serbia Concerning the Right for Property on Immovability
17	31.05.11	Treaty between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Serbia on Mutual Refusal From Visa Requests for Citizens
18	10.11.11	Treaty between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Serbia on Cooperation in the Sphere of Defence
19	10.11.11	Treaty between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Serbia on International Auto Transport of Goods and Travellers
20	01.11.12	Treaty between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Serbia on Mutual Support in Custom Issues

Interdivisional agreements

№	Valid	Name of the documents
1	01.10.01	Treaty on Cooperation in the field of Sport between State Committee of Youth Policy, Sport and Tourism of Ukraine and Federal secretariat of Sport and Youth of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
2	12.02.02	Treaty between State Committee of Standardization of Ukraine and Federal Organ of Standardization of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on Cooperation in the Sphere of Standardization
3	05.11.03	Treaty on Cooperation between Trade and Industrial Chamber of Ukraine and Trade and Industrial Chamber of the Republic of Serbia
4	13.02.04	Treaty on Cooperation between Trade and Industrial Chamber of Zakarpatska Region and Trade and Industrial Regional Chamber of Sombor
5	13.02.04	Treaty on Cooperation between Trade and Industrial Chamber of Zakarpatska Region and Trade and Industrial Regional Chamber of Novi Sad
6	16.04.04	Treaty on Cooperation between Trade and Industrial Chamber of Kyiv and Trade and Industrial Chamber of Belgrade
7	25.08.04	Treaty on Cooperation between the State Committee of Archives of Ukraine and Archive of Serbia and Montenegro
8	21.02.2006	Treaty on Scientific Cooperation between National Academy of Science of Ukraine and Serbian National Academy of Science and Art
9	28.02.2006	Treaty on Cooperation between Kyiv Regional Trade and Industrial Chamber and Trade and Industrial Chamber of Autonomous Land Voyvodyna
10	15.09.2006	Treaty on Cooperation between Zakarpatska Regional State Tele and Radio Company and Radio-diffusion Agency of Voyvodyna
11	02.10.08	Treaty on Educational and Scientific Cooperation between Kyiv University of Law of NAN of Ukraine and Faculty of Law of Nis University of the Republic of Serbia
12	02.10.08	Treaty on Educational and Scientific Cooperation between Kyiv University of State and Law under I.Koreckii of NAN of Ukraine and Faculty of Law of Nis University of the Republic of Serbia
13	24.10.08	Treaty on Cooperation between Kharkiv National University under V.Karazin and Belgrade University
14	07.04.09	Program of Cooperation in Cultural sphere between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Ukraine and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia for 2009-2011
15	06.10.09	Treaty between Trade and Commercial Chamber of Ukraine and Commercial Chamber of Serbia on Creation of Common Ukrainian-Serbian and Serbian-Ukrainian Business Council
16	06.10.09	Treaty on Cooperation between Trade and Industrial Chamber of Sumi Region and Trade and Industrial Regional Chamber of Pancevo
17	06.10.09	Treaty on Cooperation between Trade and Industrial Chamber of Cherkasi Region and Trade and Industrial Regional Chamber of Pozarevac
18	06.10.09	Treaty on Cooperation between Trade and Industrial Chamber of Rivne Region and Trade and Industrial Regional Chamber of Leskovac
19	05.07.10	Agreement on Interparliamentarian Cooperation between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and Narodna Skupstina of the Republic of Serbia
20	20.07.10	Memorandum of Mutual Understanding between Lviv State Television Company and Radio Television ofVojvodina
21	20.01.11	Treaty on Cooperation in Agricultural Sphere between the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine and the Ministry of Agriculture, Wood and Water Industry of the Republic of Serbia
22	01.05.11	Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the Institute of Work Medicine of the National Academy of Medicine Sciences of Ukraine and the Institute of Work Medicine of the Republic of Serbia

Regional agreements

№	Valid	Name of the document
1	27.05.95	Charter on Partnership between the City of Khmelnyck and City of Bor
2	05.06.02	Treaty on Cooperation between City State Administration of Kyiv and Majority of Belgrade
3	26.02.04	Treaty between Kalush and Bachka Palanka on Trade and Commercial, Scientific, Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation
4	24.06.04	Protocol on Promotion of Bilateral Cooperation between Chortkiv District of Ternopil Region and the Region of Kula
5	07.05.05	Treaty on Cooperation between the City of Lviv (Ukraine) and Novi Sad (Serbia and Montenegro)
6	28.02.06	Treaty between Kyiv Regional State Administration of Ukraine and Autonomous Land Voyvodyna of Serbia and Montenegro on Trade and Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation
7	24.06.07	Treaty on Cooperation between City Administration of Buchach, Ukraine, and Vrbas Region, Serbia
8	26.06.07	Protocol on the Willingness for Friendship between Cherkasi (Ukraine) and Pirot (Republic of Serbia)
9	18.05.11	Protocol on the Willingness for Friendship between Kirovograd Regional Council and Skupstina of the Autonomous Region of Vojvodina

Memorandums

№	Valid	Name of the document
1	22.03.01	Memorandum between the Government (Cabinet of Ministers) of Ukraine and Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia about the Measures, Aimed to the Liberalization of Mutual Trade
2	23.08.02	Memorandum of Mutual Understanding between Maritime Administration of Yugoslavia and the Ministry of Transport of Ukraine on Recognition of Diplomas (certificates) of Sailors according to the Provisions of Regulation 1/10 of International Convention on Preparation and Certification of Sailors and Keeping the Watch from 1978, with the Amendments from 1995.
3	18.10.04	Memorandum on Cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine and the Diplomatic Academy of Serbia and Montenegro
4	06.06.05	Memorandum on Cooperation in the Sphere of European and Euroatlantic Integration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Montenegro
5	01.03.2006	Memorandum on Cooperation between the Prosecutor-General’s Office of Ukraine and the Prosecutor-General’s Office of the Republic of Serbia in the Sphere of Fighting against Transnational Criminality and Laundering of Money, Received by Criminal Means
6	26.10.07	Memorandum on Cooperation between Ternopil Region State Administration, Ternopil Regional Council (Ukraine) and National Council of Ukrainian National Minority (Serbia)
7	26.10.07	Memorandum on Cooperation between Lviv Region State Administration, Lviv Regional Council (Ukraine) and National Council of Ukrainian National Minority (Serbia)
8	21.07.10	Plan of Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia for 2010
9	21.04.11	Plan of Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia for 2011
10	25.06.11	Memorandum on Cooperation between Reforms Club of Ukraine and Serbia club “Privrednik”
11	06.07.11	Memorandum between Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv State Administrations and Skupstina of the Autonomous Region of Vojvodina on Cooperation and Coordination

Protocols

№	Valid	Name of the document
1	10.10.1985 N 891_300	Protocol to the Treaty between the Government of the USSR and the Government of the Socialistic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on International Auto Connection from 18 June 1970
2	24.01.96	Protocol on Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
3	22.03.01	Protocol of the first session of Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Yugoslavian Commission on Trade and Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation
4	05.06.02	Protocol of the second session of Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Yugoslavian Commission on Trade and Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation
5	06.06.05	Protocol on Exchange of the Instruments of Ratification concerning Consular Convention between Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
6	01.11.06	Working Protocol between the Union of Writers of Serbia and the Union of Writers of Ukraine
7	10.11.11	Protocol of the forth Session of Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation
8	10.11.11	Protocol on Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia

Ukrainian – Rusyn community in the Republic of Serbia

History of the Ukrainian community in Serbia

Ukrainians migrated from the territory of Ukraine to the territory of today’s Republic of Serbia in ancient times and in different historical and economic conditions. Migration of scientists and religious people began in XV century in the times of Turkish occupation of the Balkan Peninsula. This process gradually increased especially in the beginning of XVIII century. The most intensive and massive migration was to the territory of today’s Serbian Vojvodina which was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is worth to note that professors from Kyiv’s Academy were teachers of Latin and Slavic languages, Philosophy and Theology in Sremski Karlovci in 1735. M. Kozachynskyi was one of the most famous among them. He wrote and together with his pupils played the first Serbian spectacle.

Being of Ukrainian monks in the Fruška Gora monasteries in the beginning of VXIII century opened one more chapter of Ukrainian-Serbian ties. For example, Arsenii Yovanovych Shakabenda from the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery brought icon painters to Karlovac’s Metropolis in 1743. Those artists painted monasteries and taught Serbian young painters. Some of those wall paintings are on the walls and arcs of the monasteries in Fruška Gora. There are such church books printed in Ukraine as Kyiv’s (psalms, liturgy, Bible, lives of saints, apostles, apostolic call, canons, religious alphabets) in Serbian monasteries Obed (not existing), Vrdnik, Jazak, Besenovo, Sisatovac, Pjatkovica, Kuvezdin, Divsa, Privina Golova, Hopovo, Krusedol, Velika Remeta, Grgeteg, Rakovica and Beocin. There were also books on natural sciences, dialogs, philosophy and others. The majority of them have been saved.

In the first half of XVII century, after Austria forced Turkey to leave the South-Eastern regions of Europe, a new wave of migration from the whole Empire to those regions started. Regions of current Vojvodina were less populated and economically developed at that time. The situation became worth after Serbians had migrated to Ukraine and created New Serbia and Slavic Serbia. The colonization of Slovaks, Czechs, Germans, Polishes and other peoples on those free lands started.

Replacement of Slavic peoples from the territory of current Ukraine to Backa, Srem and Slavonija started in 1745. The first organized settlements were in Kula, Krstur (Ruski Krstur), Kucur and other villages around Backa and later around Sid and Srem.

Zaporizhzhya Cossacks in Vojvodina. In 1775 the Russian Empress Yekaterina II Velikaya drove out Cossacks from the Empire after she had destroyed the Ukrainian Cossacks’ state on the banks of Dniper – Zaporizhzhya Sich. The Cossacks were moving several years in the Turkish Empire, along Danube, in Moldova and the Tatar region. Having been dissatisfied by the conditions of life in Turkey the Cossacks asked the Austrian Imperator Joseph II to permit them to migrate to the Empire. They reached an agreement after long talks but the conditions of replacement were not appropriate for the Cossacks. They had to find armament and horses themselves and serve under the authority of German officers. They had to wear their national Cossack uniform. They didn’t have right to marry and were limited in movement. The payment for their service was minimal. In such conditions from 7 000 to 8 000 of Ukrainians moved to Serbia in 1785. It was the second wave of Ukrainian migration to the territory of current Vojvodina. Part of Cossacks, which formed small military groups, was located in the military zone close to Turkey. Cossacks in the region of Banat had their meeting centre in Temisvar and brigades from Pancevo and Bela Crkva had their meeting centre in Senta. People from that centre were later recruited to militia in Subotica, Novi Sad and Sombor. Being old Cossacks retired from the force with a small salary and stayed in Titel, Kovil and Sajkas.

The further fate of Ukrainians is not clear. Some historians consider that the Cossacks’ (плем’я) died because of (заборона) to have a family. Other historians think that Cossacks mixed with local citizens and became Serbians. Part of Cossacks might come back to the Danube Sich or to the Dniper banks that was their motherland. There are not evidences of staying of those Ukrainians today.

Emigration in 1920s. In 1920s (at the time of the Great October Revolution in Russia) about 70 thousands of refugees from Ukraine and the Southern Russia found an asylum in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. There were about 40 thousands of militaries and 30 thousands of civilians among migrants. There is a suggestion that there were about 30 thousands of Ukrainians among them. They were firstly settled in near 300 colonies all over the Kingdom. They got right to choose the region of their settlement freely just in 1924. A part of them decided to stay in Serbia but the majority of Ukrainians from the Western Ukraine chose Croatia, Vojvodina and Slovenia.

The cultural community “Prosvita” and further “Ukrainian Society” were established. Ukrainians prepared Shevchenko evening meetings, sang Ukrainian songs, read poems, danced Ukrainian dances, opened libraries and reading halls in purchased buildings. The Shevchenko evening meetings in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes transmitted into Ukrainian Culture Days. The theatre group of the Society played Ukrainian pieces. In cooperation with the Serbian choir it organized successful concerts including Serbian and Ukrainian song. Later “Prosvita” opened its branches in Novi Sad, Veliki Beckerek (now Zrenjanin), Subotica, Sid and other towns. The community “Kobzar” was established in Smederevo. It included theatre and musical groups. There were Ukrainian amatory theatre groups in Sabac, Pozarevac, Zajecar and other towns. Students established the Community of Ukrainian students. There were a lot of educated persons among emigrants (professors, lawyers, doctors, pharmacists, artists and others) who made huge contribution to education, culture and art of Serbia between the two world wars.

Colonization of Vojvodina. The most massive replacements of Ukrainians from Bosnia to Serbia were after the WWII in 1945-1946. The new state, the Federal People Republic of Yugoslavia, started populating Vojvodina by partisan families from Bosnia, Lika, Banja, Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia. Several Ukrainian families were replace at that time. Ukrainians settled in Ruske Selo, Novi Kozarci, Krajisnik near Banat, Budisav, Kovil, Kaca, Backa Jarka, Zmajev, Ratkovo and other villages near Banat. Several Families settled near Zemun. Taking into account large territory and small number of families which settled there communities were not numerous.

Separate settlements. Ukrainians actively migrated from Bosnia to Vojvodina looking for better conditions of life in 1950s and 1960s. This led to creation of the Ukrainian community in Vojvodina. It was impossible to (визначити) the number of Ukrainians in Vojvodina after the WWII. Ukrainian minority didn’t exist as a organized community and was marked as “Rusyns, Rutens, Ukrainians, Maloruses” or was by belonging to religion orientations. Those data didn’t show the real number of Ukrainians who got its national identity in lists of nationalities after (перепис) in 1971.

Today

According to the data of 2002 about 16 thousands of citizens of Serbia say that they are Rusyns and about 5 thousands – Ukrainians.

The Ukrainian minority live mostly in Vojvodina. Novi Sad, Vrbas, Kula, Sremska Mitrovica and Indjija are administrative centres for Ukrainians and Novi Sad, Ruski Krstur, Kucura, Djurdjevo and Sid – Rusyns. A few Ukrainians and Rusyns live in Belgrade.

Rusyns elected the National Council of Rusyn National Community of Serbia on 4th November 2018. Boris Sakach was appointed as the President of the Council.

Ukrainians elected the National Council of Ukrainian National Community of Serbia on 4th November 2018. The Council included 15 members. Mikola Liahovich was appointed the President of the Council.

Besides them Ukrainian-Rusyn community established the Union of Rusyns – Ukrainians of Serbia (member of the World Federation of Lemkos) and the Society of the Ukrainian language, literature and culture “Prosvita” and other local cultural societies.

The President of the Union of Rusyns – Ukrainians of Serbia B.Vislavskyi (appointed in 2008), the Honoured President of the Union S.Sakach and members of the organization lead activities to organizing cultural and educative events aimed at preserving Ukrainian conciseness of the minority. They organize summer schools for young people, exhibitions, lectures devoted to important events of Ukraine’s history and history of Rusyns and Ukrainians in Serbia.

The Society of the Ukrainian language, literature and culture “Prosvita” (the head is S.Mykytyshin) is popular civil society organization of the Ukrainian community. Due to activities of the Society in Novi Sad, Kula, Vrbas, Indjija and Sremska Mitrovica the level cultural life of Ukrainians became higher.

The Society of Ivan Seniuk from Kula, the Society “Carpathians” from Verbac, “Kolomyika” from Sremska Mitrovica play important role in preserving Ukrainian culture.

Ensuring educational rights

According to official data Rusyn language in the Vojvodina is taught in 65 elementary and 21 high schools, the Rusyn gymnasium “Peter Kuzmyak” (Ruski Kerestur), the Cathedra of Rusyn Language and Literature on the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad University.

Ukrainian language with elements of national culture is taught to pupils of 1-8 farms of 12 Serbian schools in Novi Sad, Kula, Vrbac, Indjija, Sremska Mitrovica, Budisava and Lavino in Vojvodina.

Representatives of the Ukrainian nationality are taught in the Section of Ukrainian language of the Philological Faculty in Belgrade University.

Mass-media of the Community

The weekly “Ruske slovo”, the newspaper for young people “MAK”, the magazine for children “Zagradka”, the literature magazine “Shvetlosts” and the magazine “Golos Soyuzu” are edited in Rusyn language. There is the Rusyn reduction on the Vojvodina Television which has 4 hours program daily. The Rusyn language is also used on local televisions in Kula, Vrbas and Sid.

Ukrainian programs on the Vojvodina Television are prepared by Ukrainian journalists just for the Rusyn reduction. Besides Novi Sad Ukrainian radio is also in Vrbas, Kula, Indjija, Sremska Mitrovica. 30-minutes TV program “Ukrainian Panorama” is transmitted on the TV-channel RTS-2 two times per month. There are also the Ukrainian newspaper “Ridne Slovo” (since 2005), the calendar “Ridne Slovo”, the magazine “Ukrajinske Slovo” and the magazine for children “Soloveiko”.

Slovakia

THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

On December 8, 1991, the Czechoslovak Federal Republic (CSFR) recognized the Independence of Ukraine.

Recognition of the Slovak Republic’s Independence by Ukraine: January 01, 1993.

Establishment of diplomatic relations: January 01, 1993.

1. Political dialogue:

Relations between Ukraine and the Slovak Republic are free from any political problems or misunderstandings and based on common views and approaches on topical issues of international agenda.

Slovakia firmly supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders as well as international sanctions against russia for its military aggression against Ukraine. Slovakia joined the Core Group that will work under the specific issues on the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine.

Official Bratislava calls to continue political, diplomatic, financial, humanitarian and other support to our state. The Slovak Government established the Crisis Centre to coordinate humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and ensuring uninterrupted supplies of humanitarian aid to Ukraine from the EU countries opened the Logistics hub in Košice.

We can confidently grant Slovakia the title of Honorary Advocate of Ukraine in the matter of Ukraine's accession to the European Union and Ukraine's future NATO membership. 28.02.2022 the President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Čaputová, together with the other seven presidents of the EU member states, called for the rapid accession of Ukraine to the European Union. 02.10.2022 the President Zuzana Čaputová signed the Joint Statement of the Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Poland, Montenegro, Romania, North Macedonia, and Slovakia regarding Russia's attempts to illegally annex Ukrainian territories. The statement emphasized: "We firmly stand behind the decision of the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest regarding Ukraine's future membership". 06.06.2023 Bratislava hosted the summit of Leaders of the Bucharest 9 to discuss the run-up to the Vilnius Summit and Ukraine’s expectations.

Recent Contacts (2023)

January 1-2- visit of Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine -Minister for the reintegration of temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk to participate in events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Slovak Republic.

January 13 - telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi and President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Čaputová.

March 17 - a telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, and the Acting Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Eduard Heger. -

March 20 – political consultations of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Yevhen Perebijnos with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Ingrid Brotskova.

March 31 - working visit of acting Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Eduard Heger to Ukraine, participation in the Bucha Summit. -

April 25 - meeting of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk with the Chairman of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Boris Kollar, within the framework of the Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of the EU countries.

April 28-30 – a joint visit to Ukraine by the President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Čaputova and the President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel.

May 20 - a telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, and the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Miroslav Wlachovsky.

May 24 - telephone conversation between the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Ludovit Odor.

June 1 – the meeting of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi with the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Ludovit Odor on the sidelines of the second summit of the European Political Community (Chisinau).

2. Trade and economic cooperation:

According to the official statistical data of Ukraine, according to the results of trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Slovakia in 2022, the total turnover amounted to 2,566.6 million US dollars, and compared to the same period in 2021, it increased by 564.8 million US dollars, or by 28.2 %. Export of goods and services from Ukraine to Slovakia during this period amounted to 1,543.2 million US dollars, while import – 1023.4 million US dollars. The positive balance for Ukraine during this period amounted to 519.8 million US dollars.

Results of trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and the Slovak Republic in 202ľ demonstrated a record growth in trade turnover indicators over the past 15 years.

The main items of export of goods from Ukraine to the SR are: ores, slag and ash – 37.2%, mineral fuels; petroleum and products of their distillation – 19.5%, grain crops – 7.6%, electric machines – 7.6%, seeds and fruits of oil plants – 5.6%, meat and edible by-products – 4.3%, wood and wood products - 2.9%, plastic, polymer materials – 1.8%, fats and oils of animal and vegetable origin - 1.7%, railway locomotives – 1.5%, ferrous metals - 1.4%, nuclear reactors, boilers, machines – 1.3%.

The main articles of import of goods from the SR to Ukraine are: mineral fuels; petroleum and products of their distillation – 33.5%, means of land transport, except railway – 12%, ferrous metals –10.8%, various – 10.8%, plastics, polymer materials – 5.6%, nuclear reactors, boilers, machines – 4.8%, paper and cardboard – 3.1%, caoutchouc, rubber – 1.8%, salt, sulfur, earth and stones – 1.7%, wood mass – 1.4%, ferrous metal products – 1%, various food products – 1%.

The structure of Ukrainian export of services in the SR was dominated by: transport services – 62.9%, business services -13.8%, services for the processing of material resources – 12.3%, services in the field of telecommunications, computer and information services – 5.4%, repair and maintenance services not included in other categories – 2.9%.

The structure of import of services from Slovakia to Ukraine was dominated by: transport services – 73.9%, services in the field of telecommunications, computer and information services – 11.7%, business services – 9.5%, insurance services – 1.6%, travel related services – 1.4%.

During 2022, significant work was carried out with the aim of intensifying trade and economic cooperation, in particular, in the context of new challenges associated with the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine.

Despite the military actions, in 2022 it was possible to resume the work of the Ukrainian-Slovak Mixed Commission on Economic, Industrial and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, the meeting of which did not take place since 2013 (the 5th meeting was held on December 8, 2022, Kyiv).

3. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:

Cultural and humanitarian relations between Ukraine and Slovakia are traditionally characterized by positive dynamics and well-established interaction.

The Treaty Legal Framework of cooperation in this area consists of a number of bilateral documents, including: Agreement between the Ministry of Culture and Arts of Ukraine and the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic on cooperation in the field of culture dated 01.23.1996; Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Slovak Republic on cooperation in the field of information dated 12.05.2000.

To promote the development of humanitarian cooperation, the Bilateral Ukrainian-Slovak Commission on National Minorities, Education and Culture, which is a permanent body, was created. The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for the second half of 2022.

More than 30 agreements and contracts have been concluded between higher educational institutions of Ukraine and Slovakia.

With the assistance of the Ministry of Education of the SR, in 2022 and 2023, examination centers were created for testing applicants as part of the Ukrainian admissions campaign (the cities of Bratislava and Banska Bystrica).

In Slovakia, there are 7 educational institutions at various levels of education where the Ukrainian language and literature are taught, in particular the Gymnasium named by T.G.Shevchenko in Pryashiv. Also, Pryashiv University provides graduation of specialists on specialty "Ukrainian language" in conjunction with other specialties. In 2018, a Ukrainian Sunday school was established and registered in Bratislava, which rents premises at a secondary school. Also, at secondary schools of the city of Kosice and the village Ublya, there are a special group to study the Ukrainian language and literature.

With the assistance of the Slovak side, in 2022 alone, more than 60 various events in support of Ukraine were prepared and held (photo exhibitions, concerts, forums, liturgies, support marches, festivals, literary evenings, auctions, etc.). In addition, assistance was provided to numerous Ukrainian groups and performers for their humanitarian touring activities in the SR. In particular, the Ministry of Culture of the SR takes care of the staff of the Kharkiv National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after M.V. Lysenko, who is on a humanitarian tour in the SR from the beginning of June 2022, as well as students and teachers (about 230 people) of Ukrainian choreographic educational institutions who are temporarily in the country. -

As of June 2023, four libraries in the host country have opened "shelves of Ukrainian books", which contain about 8,000 copies of fiction for adults and children. Within the framework of the project "For Ukrainian children - a Ukrainian book", about 80 thousand copies of various Ukrainian children's fiction and textbooks were distributed throughout the territory of the SR. In addition, the Slovak publishing house "Mafra Slovakia, a.s." printed 2,000 copies of Ukrainian children's books free of charge, which were given to Ukrainian children through the charity organization "Peace for Ukraine/ Mier Ukrajine". Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the leading Slovak publishing house-bookstore "Artforum" has already purchased more than 12,000 copies of Ukrainian children's books on the territory of Ukraine (mainly in the "Publishing house of the Old Lion", Lviv). To implement this project, the publishing house "Artforum" has created a network of delivery-collection points in 22 bookstores throughout the SR, where Ukrainian mothers with children, host families, employees of Ukrainian support centers, teachers and librarians can pick up books for free and return them after reading.

The most numerous and representative organization of Ukrainians abroad in Slovakia is the Union of Ruthenians-Ukrainians of the Slovak Republic, which includes 100 primary organizations and within which 36 collectives of folk art of various genres operate. There are more than 4,000 members of the Union.

Other Ukrainian public organizations operate in Slovakia: the Slovak-Ukrainian Society, the Ukrainian Music and Dramatic Ensemble named by Taras Shevchenko, Union of Ukrainian Writers of Slovakia, "PLAST" Scout Union of Ukrainian-Rusyn nationality in Slovakia, etc. One of the important Ukrainian scientific and cultural institution is the Museum of Ukrainian Culture in Svydnyk, which is a branch of the National Museum of Slovakia.

On October 25, 2013, the Center of Ukrainian Culture was opened in Pryashiv, which became a reliable basis for conducting scientific, educational, artistic and other activities for the Ukrainian national minority in Slovakia.

Since 2014, the annual "Days of Ukraine in Kosice" are held in the Slovak Republic on an annual basis.

The Union of Ruthenians-Ukrainians of the Slovak Republic and the Union of Ukrainian Writers of Slovakia have their own periodicals, which are published in the Ukrainian language: Newspaper "Nove zhitya" (published since 1951); magazine "Duklya" (published since 1953); Children's magazine "Rainbow" (published since 1951). In addition, the Ukrainian edition of programs for national minorities of Slovak Radio operates in Košice.

Since the beginning of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic has stopped cooperation with Russian cultural institutions.

The Ministry of Culture of Slovakia also appealed to UNESCO to cancell holding the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Kazan and to suspend Russia's membership in UNESCO.

In Slovakia, the propaganda media Russia Today, the news agency Sputnik and the pro-Kremlin website Hlavné spravy ("Main News") were blocked.

4. Scientific and technical cooperation:

The Treaty and Legal basis of scientific and technical cooperation between Ukraine and the Slovak Republic in this area is:

- Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Slovak Republic on scientific and technological cooperation dated 12.02.2002 (http://zakon3.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/703_020 );

- Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Slovak Republic on economic, industrial and scientific-technical cooperation dated November 24, 2005 (http://zakon3.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/703_058);

- Agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Ukraine and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic on economic, scientific, technical and production cooperation dated 05.14.1993 (http://zakon3.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/703_033);

- Agreement on scientific cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Slovak Academy of Sciences from 2004 to 2005-2009, the term of which has been extended.

A number of meetings with the Center for Scientific and Technical Information of the SR, the Academy of Sciences of the SR, Trade and Industry Chamber of Bratislava, Scientific University Parks of Bratislava were held within the visit of a delegation of the Ukrainian Institute of Scientific and Technical Expertise and Information to the Slovak Republic (12 – 15 October 2021). A wide range of issues such as cooperation on the exchange of scientific and technical information, the transfer of technologies and innovations, joint events in the specified field of activity, etc. was discussed.

5. Bilateral agreements between Ukraine and Slovakia

The Treaty and Legal Framework of Ukrainian-Slovak Bilateral Relations consists of 117 treaties.

The existing bilateral agreements cover various areas of cooperation that signifies the diversity and multilateralism of Ukrainian-Slovak relations.

The sides are negotiating a number of draft international bilateral treaties, in particular in the sphere of scientific and technical cooperation, labor migration and social security of citizens, cooperation in combating crime.

Interregional cooperation:

A diverse range of cooperation characterizes Ukrainian-Slovak regional collaboration, in particular in the economic, social, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

The cooperation between twins cities/regions of Ukraine and Slovakia, which signed the respective agreements on the establishment of twinning relations, in particular between the capitals of our states - Kyiv and Bratislava plays an important role in this field.

The process of extending and deepening interregional relations is constantly ongoing. Thus, in March 2021 (in online format), an Agreement on Cooperation between the Chernihiv Regional State Administration and the Trenchyn Self-Governing Region was signed.

As part of these activities concerning the establishing cooperation between local municipalities of Ukraine and Slovakia, on 2021, the preparatory work for concluding an cooperation agreement between the city of Vyshhorod (Kyiv region) and Lamach, which is a part of Bratislava is underway. In 2022, in order to find a partner city for some Ukrainian cities, in particular: the city of Kalush, the city of Yuzhnoukrainian and the city of Varash, the consultations between the two sides have begun.

On the territory of Ukraine and Slovakia, various joint events, such as scientific and practical conferences, seminars on mutual interests, and Ukrainian-Slovak days of good neighbourhood, are constantly organised. Both countries take an active part in various projects of international cross-border cooperation.

On October 26-27, 2021, the delegation of Ukraine, led by Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development, National Coordinator of the Danube Strategy Ihor Korkhov took part at the 10^th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region in Bratislava

On October 27, in the framework of this Forum, the handover ceremony of the Presidency of the Danube Strategy from Slovakia to Ukraine took plaace.

This is the first time ever that a non-EU country, takes over the Presidency of an EU Strategy for the Danube Region and coordinates the activities of 14 countries of the Danube River basin, as well as the implementation of EU strategic initiatives in this region (from November 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022).

January 11-12, 2023, a joint visit of the founding mayors of the Pact of Free Cities - Matúš Vallo (Bratislava), Rafal Trzaskowski (Warsaw), Zdeněk Hřib (Prague), and Gergely Karácsony (Budapest) - to Kyiv. On January 11, 2023, as part of the visit, a meeting was held with the mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko. On January 12, 2023, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Yevhen Perebiinys, held a meeting with the mayors of the founding cities of the international initiative "Pact of Free Cities". The meeting was attended by the mayors of Bratislava, Matúš Vallo, Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski, and Prague, Zdeněk Hřib.

Yevgeny Perebiinys expressed his gratitude for the support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and Ukrainian citizens who found temporary shelter in these European capitals, as well as their provision of significant humanitarian aid to Ukrainian partner cities, in particular energy equipment.

The parties discussed the current security situation and Ukraine's needs in connection with Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, as well as further cooperation and practical assistance that the capitals of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic can provide to Ukraine.

For their part, the mayors of Bratislava, Budapest, Warsaw and Prague confirmed that the "Pact of Free Cities" and each of its member cities will continue to fully support Ukraine in the fight against the aggressor.

For reference: "Pact of Free Cities" is an open alliance launched in 2019 by the mayors of Warsaw, Budapest, Prague and Bratislava. European cities cooperate in the defense of democracy, in the fight against corruption and populism, in the protection of local self-government and in building effective interaction with national governments. In autumn of 2022, Kiev joined the "Pact of Free Cities".

On April 20, 2023, Eduard Burash, adviser to the Prime Minister of Slovakia on cross-border cooperation with Ukraine, took part in the International Summit of Cities and Regions "PARTNERSHIP FOR VICTORY", which was held in Kyiv at the initiative of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi. The event was held with the aim of expanding the horizons of cooperation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President with representatives of local communities around the world and involving them in supporting Ukraine. Within the framework of the Summit, E. Burash, adviser to the Prime Minister of Slovakia on cross-border cooperation with Ukraine, visited Borodyanka and Bucha, which were destroyed by russia, and honored the memory of the victims of russia's aggression against Ukraine.

On May 30, 2023, during the visit of the delegation of the Pryashiv region to Ukraine (Uzhhorod, Transcarpathian region) a cooperation agreement was signed and humanitarian aid for Transcarpathia was handed over.

Türkiye

UKRAINE AND TÜRKİYE

Bilateral relations.

Longstanding relations between Ukraine and Türkiye are founded on a shared historical legacy, cultural links, and geographical reality.

In 1991, Türkiye was one of the first nations to acknowledge Ukrainian independence. On 3 February 1992, diplomatic ties between the two countries were established.

When the Declaration on Establishing a High-Level Strategic Council (HLSC) was signed in 2011, cooperation between our countries intensified considerably. This declaration codified the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Türkiye and established an institutional vehicle to implement the new format of bilateral relations, namely the Strategic Council co-chaired by the presidents of both nations. The HLSC is expected to convene yearly to review the implementation of the agreements and to identify prospective areas and projects for fostering further cooperation.

During the period from 2011 to 2022, the Ukrainian and Turkish presidents had ten sessions of the HLSC devoted to the entire range of bilateral cooperation, including political discourse, economic, defense, security, and humanitarian cooperation. In February 2022, the last HLSC conference was conducted in Kyiv.

The Ukrainian and Turkish Foreign Ministers meet frequently, particularly through the Joint Strategic Planning Group, which is a supporting mechanism of HLSC (the most recent such meeting was held in Lviv, Ukraine, on 7 October 2021).

As the security situation in the Black Sea region deteriorated due to the aggressive policies of the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Türkiye established a new format for political and security dialogue in 2020, consisting of regular 2+2 consultations in Quadriga format between their foreign and defense ministers. In December of 2020, the first gathering in this format took place in Kyiv.

Türkiye has been unequivocally supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity since the beginning of the Russian aggression in 2014 and undertaking consistent steps in line with its policy of non-recognition of the illegal attempted annexation of Crimea.

During the Russian invasion in 2022, Türkiye has called upon the end of the hostilities, expressed its support to Ukraine and took an important step by blocking the passage of all military ships via the Black Sea straits.

Bilateral agreements.

Ukraine and Türkiye have 154 bilateral agreements in effect. Among the most significant agreements are the Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation (1992), the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of the High-Level Strategic Council (2011), and the Free Trade Agreement (2022, pending ratification by the parliaments).

Economic cooperation.

The total value of trade between Ukraine and Türkiye in 2021 was USD 7.4 billion, comprised of USD 4.143 billion in Ukrainian exports and USD 3.258 billion in Turkish exports.

Multilateral cooperation.

Ukraine and Türkiye actively collaborate within the framework of international organizations, (UN, OSCE, WTO, BSEC etc.) and engage in fruitful dialogue inside the NATO context.

Austria

Bilateral relations between Ukraine and Austria

Recognition of Ukraine's independence: January 15, 1992.

Establishment of diplomatic relations: January 24, 1992.

Diplomatic missions: Embassy of Ukraine in Austria (Vienna); Embassy of Austria in Ukraine (Kyiv).

Political relations:

Ukrainian-Austrian relations began immediately after the declaration of Ukraine's independence on August 24, 1991. Compared to many other Western countries, Austria started political contact with the Ukrainian leadership without waiting for the December 1 referendum. As a result, on September 26, 1991, in New York, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Austria, Anatoliy Zlenko and Alois Mock, signed a Protocol on Consular Relations. On January 24, 1992, diplomatic relations between the two countries were also established.

Ukraine has long-standing historical and cultural ties with Austria, which remains an essential European partner for us today. The Austrian government supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty and adheres to the EU sanctions policy against Russia.

In June 2022, Austria supported the decision of the European Council to grant Ukraine the status of an EU candidate.

Since Russia's open military aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, an active bilateral political dialogue has been ongoing.

Visits and contacts at the high-level in recent years:

April 24, 2023 - meeting between the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and the President of the National Council of Austria, Wolfgang Sobotka, during the annual Conference of Speakers of EU Parliaments in Prague;

March 20, 2023 - phone conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer;

March 2, 2023 - a telephone conversation between Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer;

February 22, 2023 - a video meeting between the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and the President of the National Council of Austria, Wolfgang Sobotka;

February 1, 2023 - visit of Austrian Federal President Alensandr Van der Bellen to Ukraine;

December 1-2, 2022 - Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba met with Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg in the framework of the annual meeting of OSCE Foreign Ministers in Lodz (Poland);

October 25, 2022 – the meeting of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, with the President of the National Council of Austria, Wolfgang Sobotka, on the sidelines of the First Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimean Platform in Zagreb (Croatia);

September 20, 2022 - Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba meets with Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly in New York;

July 19-21, 2022 - Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg visits Kyiv as part of a joint visit of the Foreign Ministers of the Slavkov Format;

June 13-15, 2022 - Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk pays an official visit to Austria;

June 22, 2022 - a telephone conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer;

June 20, 2022 - a telephone conversation between Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer;

May 25, 2022 - Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba meets with Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenblerg on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos;

May 24, 2022 - phone conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer;

April 29, 2022 - a telephone conversation between Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer;

April 9, 2022 - visit of Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer to Ukraine;

March 12, 2022 - phone conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Federal President of the Republic of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen;

March 9, 2022 - Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has a phone conversation with Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer;

February 12, 2022 - Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba has a telephone conversation with Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenblerg;

February 8, 2022 - Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg visits Kyiv as part of a joint visit of the Foreign Ministers of the Slavkov Format.

Bilateral commissions:

The Joint Ukrainian-Austrian Commission on Trade and Economic Relations

(27 April 2021 - the 15th meeting of the Commission was held in the form of a video conference.).

A Ukrainian-Austrian business forum was held within the framework of the Commission meeting, which was attended by about 400 representatives of the business circles of both countries.

The Joint Ukrainian-Austrian Commission on Scientific and Technical Cooperation

(20 September 2018 - the 8th meeting of the Commission was held in Kiev)

Parliamentary cooperation

19 November 2019 – the parliamentary group of deputies on Inter-Parliamentary Relations with the Republic of Austria was established in the Parliament of Ukraine. The group comprises 38 of the deputies of the Parliament of Ukraine. The head of the group is a deputy Igor Petrovich Negulevsky (political party "Servant of the People" Sluha Narodu).

In March 2020, the parliamentary group "Austria-Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus" was established in the Austrian Parliament. The group was formed from 2 deputies of the Bundesrat and 10 deputies of the National Council of Austria.

The parliamentary group was leaded by Helmut Brandstatter. (Parliamentary party NEOS)

Support within international organizations and initiatives:

On August 23, 2021, Austria joined the Crimean Platform initiative by ensuring its participation in the inaugural summit at the level of the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg. It supported the joint declaration of the summit participants. In 2022, during the Second Summit of the Crimean Platform, Austria was also represented by the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg; on October 25, 2022, the President of the National Council of the Austrian Parliament, Wolfgang Sobotka, took part in the inaugural Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimean Platform in Zagreb (Croatia). As a result of the summit, the Austrian side joined the Joint Statement of the event participants; on March 31, 2023, the Austrian side took part in the Bucha Summit and joined the joint declaration.

Austria became a co-sponsor of the UN General Assembly resolutions introduced by Ukraine: "Territorial integrity of Ukraine" (68/262) of March 27, 2014 (68th session of the UN General Assembly); "Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine" (75/192) of December 16, 2020 (75th session of the UN General Assembly); "The problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine), as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov" (75/29) of December 7, 2020 (75th session of the UN General Assembly) and the resolution "Cooperation with and assistance to Ukraine in the field of human rights," adopted on July 13, 2021, at the 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Austria also co-sponsored the resolutions "Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine" and "The problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine), as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov" during the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (2021). Within the framework of the 11th UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Austria supported and co-sponsored the resolutions "Humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine" (March 2022), "Territorial integrity of Ukraine: protection of the principles of the UN Charter" (October 2022) and "Establishment of a mechanism for the establishment of a mechanism for the protection of the territorial integrity of Ukraine" (October 2022). ) and resolutions "On the establishment of a mechanism for compensating Ukraine for the damage caused by Russia's war against Ukraine" (November 2022) and "Situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine" (December 15, 2022). On February 23, 2023, Austria co-authored a resolution in the UN General Assembly on "Principles of the UN Charter underpinning a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace in Ukraine."

Austria supported suspending Russia's membership in the UN Human Rights Council in response to the war crimes committed in Bucha and other cities of Ukraine during a special session of the UN General Assembly on April 7, 2022.
Austria will support Ukraine in condemning and punishing war crimes committed by Russia within the framework of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism. The OSCE Moscow Mechanism in the Human Dimension was initiated by Ukraine together with 45 other OSCE participating States to establish violations of international humanitarian law, including deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, during the war against Ukraine launched by the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022.
In March 2023, Austria joined the states working on establishing the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

Legal framework:

Number of bilateral documents in force: 89

Signed in 2023:

01.02.2023 - Memorandum of Understanding on establishing an energy partnership in energy transformation and renewable energy between the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology of Austria.

01.02.2023 - Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Environment between the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology of Austria.

16.05.2023 - Protocol of Intentions on Cooperation between Ukraine's Ministry of Social Policy and the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection of Austria.

Signed in 2022:

23.06.2022 - Memorandum of Understanding between the Prosecutor General's Office and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Austria.

On September 04, 2022, the Framework Agreement was signed between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Austria on Economic Cooperation in Project Development.

22.11.2022 - Memorandum between the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance on cooperation in the field of digitalization.

Trade and economic cooperation:

Despite Russia's open-armed aggression against Ukraine, Austrian businesses maintained a high interest in Ukraine during the year, including an increase in exports of domestic products to Austrian markets, which significantly contributed to the national economy.

According to the Austrian Statistical Office, bilateral trade between Ukraine and Austria amounted to EUR 1.7 billion in 2022, up 0.8% year-on-year. At the same time, exports of domestic products increased by 12.2% to EUR 1.2 billion, while imports of Austrian products decreased by 18.4% to EUR 507.2 million.

Due to martial law in Ukraine, the data of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine and the NBU for 2022 are not published.

According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the foreign trade turnover between Ukraine and Austria increased by 54% in 2021 and amounted to about USD 2.0 billion. At the same time, exports of goods and services from Ukraine increased by 64%, reaching USD 1.1 billion. At the same time, imports from Austria increased by 45% to USD 974 million.

According to the National Bank of Ukraine, the cumulative volume of Austrian investments in 2021 amounted to about USD 1.3 billion. Austria remains the sixth largest investor, representing 3.0% of total foreign direct investment in Ukraine's economy.

Cooperation in the field of culture:

Introducing Ukrainian-language audio guides remained one of Ukraine's cultural diplomacy priorities in 2020. On September 16, 2020, the President of Ukraine and his wife took part in the official ceremony of launching a Ukrainian-language audio guide at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (KHM) in the context of the continuation of the project "Ukrainian-language audio guides in the world's leading museums" in 2020 at the initiative of the wife of the President of Ukraine Olena Zelenska. This is the second Ukrainian-language audio guide implemented in Austrian museums as part of the project of the wife of the President of Ukraine - in early June 2020, the Albertina Gallery in Vienna also started speaking Ukrainian. All three leading Austrian museums (KHM, Albertina, Belvedere) now have Ukrainian-language audio guides.

In June 2021, the fourth project was implemented at the Kunst Haus Wien/Museum Hundertwasser in Vienna.

In June 2022, a Ukrainian-language audio guide was completed and launched at the Schönbrunn Imperial Palace.

The project of a Ukrainian-language audio guide in the Imperial Chamber of Jewels of the Hofburg Palace is at the practical implementation stage.

The Ukrainian community in Austria:

Total number: As of June 2023, the Embassy's consular register includes about 2.2 thousand people.

According to official statistics, about 15 thousand Ukrainian citizens live in Austria, while 9398 Ukrainian citizens have permanent residence permits in Austria. The number of people granted "temporary protection" in Austria due to the large-scale armed aggression against Ukraine exceeds 97 thousand.

Associations of Ukrainians: The Ukrainian community in Austria is quite active. There are several Ukrainian NGOs, including The Austrian-Ukrainian Society in Vienna, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Brotherhood of St. Barbara the Great Martyr in Vienna, Plast, the Ukrainian scouting organization in Austria, the Sports and Cultural Society Ukraine-Vienna, the Lesya Ukrainka Society of Ukrainian Culture in Austria, and the Ukrainian Cultural Association in Austria. Lesya Ukrainka Society (TUCA), the Ukrainian Pedagogical Center and its Ukrainian school Erudite, the Ivan Franko Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center and its Ukrainian Saturday School in Vienna, the Society for the Support of Greek Catholic Churches in Austria - Barbareum, and the Ukrainian Cultural Society in Graz - Ridna Domivka. In the reporting period, this list was expanded by two more Ukrainian NGOs: Mriya - Political, Economic, Sports Association, and the Ukrainian volunteer organization YOUkraine.

Cyprus

1. Recognition of Ukraine: December 27, 1991.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: February 19, 1992.

3. Political relations

Bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Cyprus is developing in the spirit of mutual understanding and trust, which is facilitated by the similarity of the positions of the two countries on many topical issues of international relations, as well as the spiritual closeness of the Ukrainian and Cypriot peoples.

Bilateral dialog between the leaderships of Ukraine and Cyprus is conducted on an ongoing basis within the framework of international events and in a bilateral format.

Recent bilateral contacts since February 24, 2022:

June 23, 2022 - telephone conversation between President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Anastasiades (initiated by the Ukrainian side and in the context of the EU Council's decision to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for membership, 23-24.06.2022).

September 19, 2022 - a meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea J. Kasulidis on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (New York).

January 12, 2023 - a telephone conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the Republic of Korea N. Anastasiades (initiated by the Ukrainian side).

February 13, 2023 - phone call between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President-elect of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Christodoulides.

March 23, 2023 - a phone call (initiated by the Cypriot side) between the newly elected Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Constantinos Kombos, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba.

April 23, 2023 - a meeting of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R. Stefanchuk with the President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus A. Dimitriou on the sidelines of the Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments in Prague.

May 13, 2023 - a protocol meeting between the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D.Kuleba and the Republic of Cyprus K.Combos on the sidelines of the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (Hymnich) and the Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Stockholm, Sweden.

4. Interparliamentary cooperation

Interparliamentary cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Cyprus is governed by the provisions of international law, bilateral documents, in particular the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus (signed on December 16, 2011).

On October 31, 2019, in view of the early parliamentary elections in Ukraine on July 21, 2019, a new composition of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Group for Interparliamentary Relations with the Republic of Cyprus was formed, which included 9 MPs. In July 2021, the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Ukraine of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus was formed, which included 11 members of the Cypriot Parliament.

On October 25, 2022, as part of the First Summit of the Crimean Platform (parliamentary dimension), the first meeting of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R. Stefanchuk and the President of the House of Representatives (Parliament) of the Republic of Cyprus A. Dimitriou took place.

The priorities of interparliamentary cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Cyprus are to ensure the development of partnership relations between the two countries; intensification of bilateral cooperation between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, intensification of cooperation within the framework of international organizations, as well as assistance to Ukraine's European integration progress from the Republic of Cyprus.

5. Trade and economic relations

Cyprus is a significant trading partner of Ukraine. Cooperation in the economic, scientific, technical and industrial spheres between Ukraine and Cyprus is based on the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus of January 12, 2012.

According to the State Statistics Service of the Republic of Cyprus, the total trade turnover between Ukraine and Cyprus in 2022 amounted to $ 87.19 million, an increase of 1.2% compared to the same period in 2021. The volume of exports of Ukrainian goods to Cyprus in the mentioned period amounted to $ 71.99 million (in 2021 - $ 47.4 million), an increase of 15% compared to 2021, the volume of imports amounted to $ 15.2 million (in 2021 - $ 38.0 million), a decrease of 25% compared to 2021. The balance for 2022 is positive for Ukraine and amounted to $ 56.79 million.

The main components of exports of goods to Cyprus remain: cereals, fats, vegetable and animal oils, refined products, machinery, and ferrous metal products. Imports of Cypriot-made goods to Ukraine include pharmaceuticals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, essential oils, and machine-building products.

Among the services exported to Cyprus, transportation, business, telecommunications, computer and information, and financial services prevail. At the same time, Ukraine receives services related to travel, financial activities, business, transportation, royalties, and intellectual property.

6. Bilateral economic and trade relations:

In June 2022, an online webinar "Investment Assistance to Business and International Cooperation in Times of Turbulence" was held. The event was held under the auspices of the Council of Exporters and Investors under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, with the assistance and participation of the European Business Association and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The participants discussed ways to intensify Ukrainian-Cypriot business activity and practical mechanisms of government support for business and investors.

In November 2022, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine and the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of environmental protection in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

In May 2023, the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solskyi and the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus Petros Xenophontos held an online meeting.

In July 2023, the Philippos supermarket chain in Paphos opened a "Ukrainian shelf" of food producers.

7. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation

Bilateral cooperation in the sphere of culture is based on the Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus on Cooperation in the Field of Culture of June 25, 2010. The Agreement promotes cooperation in all spheres of culture, literature and art, expands contacts between museums, music, theater and other institutions, facilitates the exchange of experience in the fields of cinematography, stage activities, drama, opera and ballet, etc.

Representatives of Ukraine and Cyprus regularly participate in international competitions, festivals, conferences held in both countries, organize joint cultural events, art and book exhibitions, festivals, competitions, etc.

Bilateral cooperation in the field of sports is regulated by the Agreement between the Ministry of Education and Science, Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the Cyprus Sports Organization on Cooperation in the Field of Physical Culture and Sports of November 8, 2012, which allows for the development of cooperation at the level of state sports administrations and national federations in various sports and professional sports clubs.

Since the beginning of the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation, the humanitarian direction of cooperation between the countries has significantly intensified, including the Government of the Republic of Cyprus organized the collection of financial and humanitarian aid to support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggressor, created appropriate conditions for the stay of temporarily displaced Ukrainians on the island, their employment, access to education, medical services, rehabilitation, etc.

8. Scientific and educational cooperation

Ukrainian-Cypriot cooperation in the field of education and science is based on the Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in Higher Education of June 12, 2017.

An important component of Ukrainian-Cypriot cooperation in this area is cooperation between higher education institutions of the two countries, which includes the exchange of students and teaching staff, organization and conduct of courses, seminars and symposia, exchange of information and research results. In addition, it provides for the implementation of joint projects, research, creation of joint training programs, etc.

This cooperation is based on 16 bilateral documents, including:

- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Law School of the University of Nicosia (04.02.2020);

- Memorandum of Understanding between the National University of Odesa Maritime Academy and the Cyprus Maritime Institute (01.02.2021);

- Agreement on Cooperation between V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University and the University of Cyprus (09/14/2021).

9. Legal and regulatory framework

The legal framework consists of 28 international treaties in force, the key ones being:

- Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Cyprus (February 19, 1992);

- Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus on Economic, Scientific, Technical and Industrial Cooperation (January 12, 2012);

- Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus on Air Services (07.09.2016);

- Memorandum of Understanding between the Anti-Money Laundering Unit (MOKAS) of the Republic of Cyprus and the State Department of Financial Monitoring, which operates within the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, on cooperation in the exchange of financial information related to money laundering (03.08.2004);

- Agreement between Ukraine and the Republic of Cyprus on Legal Assistance in Civil Matters (18.03.2006);

- Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism (10.09.2010);

- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus on cooperation in matters related to the European Union (04.07.2011);

- Convention between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (07.08.2013) and its Protocol (28.11.2019);

- Memorandum between the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Insurance of the Republic of Cyprus on Cooperation in the Social Sphere (12.06.2017).

10. Interregional cooperation

Interregional cooperation between the two countries has deep historical roots. An important aspect of the development of Ukrainian-Cypriot cooperation is the established twinning relations between cities and regions of the two countries, in particular: Odesa - Larnaca; Yalta - Limassol; Mariupol - Paphos; Sevastopol - Ayia Napa, as well as Aglandzha and Solomianskyi district of Kyiv.

In 2019, the tourist logo of Odesa, the Anchor Heart, was installed in Larnaca. The opening ceremony of the new art object was attended by Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov and Larnaca Mayor Andreas Viras. Business relations between the cities were established 15 years ago.

In March and April 2021, online meetings of the mayors of the partner cities of Odesa and Larnaca were held in the format of video conferences. During the events, the parties discussed ways to intensify interregional cooperation in the tourism sector.

11. Ukrainian community

In January 2022, the Ukrainian community in the Republic of Cyprus numbered approximately 4 thousand people and consisted of Ukrainian women who married Cypriot citizens, labor migrants, and Ukrainian families who changed their place of residence. After February 24, 2022, due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, more than 26 thousand Ukrainians arrived on the island, of whom almost 18 thousand were granted temporary protection in the Republic of Cyprus.

On March 23, 2017, the Ukrainian community established the Association "Society of Ukrainian-Cypriot Friendship" (hereinafter referred to as the Association), which is the first and so far the only officially registered community of foreign Ukrainians in Cyprus. Since 2019, Tetiana Ioannou has been the head of the non-governmental and non-profit public association.

The Association promotes Ukrainian culture, language, history and traditions on the island, contributes to improving the image of Ukraine, constantly draws the attention of the international community to the war against Ukraine, and also conducts active volunteer activities, organizes events to collect humanitarian aid for Ukraine, provides comprehensive assistance to Ukrainians who were forced to move to the Republic of Cyprus because of the war against Ukraine.

With the support of the Embassy, in October 2019, the Association established a Ukrainian language, literature, culture, history and traditions study group in Limassol, which was renamed the Ukrainian Creative Studio in 2020, and in October 2020 - the Ukrainian Saturday School in Nicosia. After February 2022, the Association opened an educational and cultural club for adults "Palianytsia" in Nicosia.

Volunteers have created a number of Ukrainian volunteer cultural and educational centers, including the Ukrainian House and Film Workshop in Paphos, the Wings Educational Space in Limassol, the Hugs Cultural Space in Larnaca, and the Deeds4kids charity organization, which organizes and conducts free art courses, including psychological support for Ukrainian children, in six European countries.

The Ukrainian Plast movement has also developed. In September 2022, with the assistance of the Embassy, the Association opened the second Plast group for children and youth in Nicosia (the first one was opened in 2020 in Limassol).

Estonia

1. Recognition by Estonia of Ukraine: August 26, 1991

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: January 4, 1992

3. Political dialogue

Relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Estonia have a long history and today are characterized by a high level of trust and partnership.

Estonia strongly condemns the Russian aggression against Ukraine since the first days of the war. Consistent political support, military, humanitarian and financial assistance is provided. On March 14, 2022, Riigikogu deputies were the first to call on UN member states to take urgent measures to create a non-fly zone over Ukraine. On April 21, 2022, the Riigikogu adopted the statement "On war crimes and genocide of the Russian Federation in Ukraine" - Estonia became the first country to recognize the criminal actions of Russia (the Russian political and military leadership and the armed forces of the Russian Federation) against Ukraine as genocide. On October 18, 2022, the Riigikogu adopted a statement condemning the annexation of the territory of Ukraine and declaring the Russian regime as terrorist.

Support for Ukraine is one of the foreign policy priorities established on April 10, 2023 in the coalition agreement of the new Government headed by K. Kallas and approved on May 18, 2023 in the Government Action Program for 2023-2027.

Estonia was one of the first countries that began to support Ukraine with military aid. Since the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Estonia has provided military and technical assistance to our state for more than 400 million euros, which is more than 1% of Estonia's GDP. Estonia is among the leaders in terms of military aid per capita.

In March 2023, the Government of Estonia allocated EUR 25.4 million to cover costs related to temporarily displaced persons from Ukraine. Funds are distributed between the Ministry of Culture (learning the Estonian language at A1 level), the Ministry of Social Protection (providing medical and social services) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (strengthening border surveillance and migration monitoring). Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, Estonia has already provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the amount of EUR 23.1 million, of which government aid - EUR 4.1 million, private aid - EUR 19.0 million.

Estonia also joined and strictly adheres to all political and economic sanctions introduced by the EU against the Russian Federation, including personal ones. Estonia was one of the first to ban broadcasting of Russian TV channels. The government of Estonia continues its efforts to implement in practice the already adopted political decision to refuse Russian gas and oil. On April 17, 2022 Estonia closed its ports to Russian ships. Estonia is actively lobbying for the introduction of EU sanctions packages against the Russian Federation, including an embargo on oil and gas. From September 19, 2022, the Government has prohibited entry to Estonia for citizens of the Russian Federation.

Estonia became the first country that started the practical recovery of one of the regions of Ukraine - Zhytomyr region. During the First Regional Forum on the Recovery of the Territories of Zhytomyr Region Affected by Russian Aggression (September 27, 2022), a Memorandum was signed between the Zhytomyr RMA, the Ovruch community and the Estonian Center for International Cooperation on the construction of a kindergarten in Ovruch. On June 2, 2023, the official opening ceremony of the first phase of the kindergarten for 4 blocks was held. In addition, the Government of Estonia will finance the construction of the second phase of the kindergarten for an additional 4 blocks. The Estonian side is also considering other infrastructural reconstruction projects in the Zhytomyr region, in particular, among the following priority projects - the reconstruction of the road bridge in Malyn.

A dynamic political dialogue is maintained between the states, particularly at the highest level.

Contacts and visits at the highest level

January 10, 2023 - telephone conversation between President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and President of Estonia A. Karis.

January 11, 2023 - a telephone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia U. Reinsalu.

February 7, 2023 - telephone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia U. Reinsalu.

February 22, 2023 - telephone conversation between President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and President of Estonia A. Karis.

March 3, 2023 - the meeting of President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia U. Reinsalu and the meeting of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia U. Reinsalu during the international conference United for Justice (U4J, "United for the sake of justice") in the city of Lviv.

March 21-23, 2023 - the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia U. Reinsalu to Ukraine.

March 31, 2023 - the participation of President of Estonia A. Karis in the Bucha summit in online format.

April 24, 2023 - the visit of Prime Minister of Estonia K. Kallas to Ukraine.

April 28, 2023 - a joint visit of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of NB8 to Ukraine with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia M. Tsakhna.

May 9, 2023 - the participation of President of Estonia A. Karis in the online summit of the leaders of the Core Group on the creation of the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

May 13, 2023 - the meeting of First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine O. Kornienko with President of Estonia A. Karis on the sidelines of the Lennart Mary Conference in Tallinn.

May 31, 2023 - a telephone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia M. Tsakhna.

June 1-2, 2023 - the visit of President of Estonia A. Karis and Minister of Economy and Information Technologies of Estonia T. Riisalo to Ukraine.

June 2, 2023 - the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia M. Tsakhna to Ukraine.

June 2, 2023 - a meeting of Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R. Stefanchuk with President (Speaker) of the Riigikogu of Estonia L. Hussar within the framework of the Summit of Presidents of NATO Parliaments (Vilnius).

Bilateral interparliamentary relations are supported by friendship groups of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Riigikogu (Parliament) of the Republic of Estonia. On a permanent basis, contacts are maintained and fruitful cooperation develops.

4. Bilateral trade relations

The Republic of Estonia is Ukraine's 25th trade partner among European countries.

International ratings:

Doing Business 2022 - 18th place out of 190;

Human development index - 30th place (0.871);

Index of perception of corruption - 22nd place (70);

Global competitiveness index - 30th place (4.78);

World press freedom index – 12th place (13.55).

According to the Estonian State Statistical Application, the turnover of goods between Ukraine and Estonia amounted to 282 million euros, which is 15% or 37 million euros less than the volume of trade in goods for 2021. Export volumes of Ukrainian goods to Estonia amounted to 103 million euros and decreased by 8% or 9 million euros compared to 2021, import volumes increased by 33% or 43 million euros and amounted to 179 million euros. The balance in trade in goods for 2022 is negative for Ukraine and amounts to 76 million euros.

5. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation

Ukraine-Estonia cultural and humanitarian cooperation is characterized by activity and efficiency. The Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia pays great attention to cultural diplomacy to promote a positive image of Ukraine in Estonia.

The Ukrainian diaspora in the Republic of Estonia deserves a lot of credit for the development of the indicated direction of bilateral relations, in particular, in the celebration of memorable dates in the history of the Ukrainian people, the anniversaries of prominent public figures of our country, and the holding of lessons in Ukrainian Sunday schools in the country of residence. In popularizing Ukrainian culture, the main focus is on cultural and educational activities.

The Tallinn public willingly accepts Ukrainian artists and performers who periodically visit the Estonian capital. Their performances create a positive impression among Estonians about Ukrainian culture as modern, interesting and diverse.

Creative collectives of the Ukrainian diaspora in Estonia regularly represent Ukrainian culture at creative festivals that take place in the country, in particular the Festival of Ukrainian Culture in Rakvere, the Festival of the Peoples of Estonia, the Nicholas Fest Festival in Sillamäe, the children's festival "Flowers of Ukraine", the international festival "North star".

The Ukrainian community conducts scientific and educational events, in particular round tables, during which the role and contribution of important events and historical figures in the creation and formation of the worldview of Ukrainians as citizens of a free and independent Ukraine is discussed.

Ukrainian Sunday schools take an active part in the education of Ukrainian youth, in particular, the Sunday school at the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the Sunday school "Labora" in Tallinn, the Sunday school "Nadia" in Tallinn, the Sunday school of the Ukrainian society "Vodogray" in Sillamäe, Sunday school of the association "Barvinok" in Valga.

6. Scientific and educational cooperation

Ukraine-Estonia cooperation in the field of education and science includes a number of mutually beneficial projects.

Within the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Estonian School of Diplomacy (ESD), a ten-month training program for Ukrainian students at the Estonian School of Diplomacy based on the Swedish-Estonian project is implemented every year. On the initiative of the Embassy of Ukraine, the Estonian School of Diplomacy, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, developed a long-term training program for Ukrainian experts on EU issues.

The largest number of students from Ukraine study at the following higher education institutions in Estonia: University of Tartu; at Tallinn University of Technology; in the Euroacademy; at Tallinn University and in other higher educational institutions (Estonian Business School, Estonian Academy of Arts, University of Natural Sciences).

There is a dialogue in the field of implementation of inclusive education, on the development of targeted training programs for children with special educational needs according to various nosologies.

An important role is played by the Estonian educational fund "INNOVE", which provides assistance to the regions of Ukraine (Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, Chernivtsi Oblast, Dnipro, Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts) in the development of vocational education in Ukraine.

The most interesting for Ukraine is the experience of Estonia in the organization of professional and technical education, inclusive education, development of IT technologies and e-government.

Ukrainian scientists work in a number of universities in Estonia, in particular in the Tallinn University of Technology and the University of Tartu, where they participate in the development of scientific products, for example, in the field of digital technologies.

As part of Estonia's decision to provide assistance to Zhytomyr region in recovery, the Government of the Republic of Estonia is implementing projects to improve the level of qualifications of teachers in Zhytomyr region

7. Bilateral documents

Number of signed documents: 85. Key documents:

Agreement on friendship and cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Estonia dated May 26, 1992 (entered into force on August 6, 1993);
Agreement between Ukraine and the Republic of Estonia on legal assistance and legal relations in civil and criminal cases (entered into force - 22.11.1995);
Declaration on the deepening of cooperation and partnership between Ukraine and the Republic of Estonia (entered into force - 05/24/1995);
Agreement between Ukraine and the Republic of Estonia in the field of social security (entry into force - 02.01.2012).

8. Ukrainian community

In Estonia, Ukrainians are the third largest ethnic group after Estonians and Russians. Before the start of the Russian Federation's full-scale military aggression against Ukraine, more than 25,000 immigrants from Ukraine lived in Estonia, from the beginning of the war until May of this year more than 130,000 citizens of Ukraine entered the country, 71,000 of whom remained in Estonia.

The cities of Narva, Sillamäe, Kohtla-Järve, and Yihvi (the north-eastern region of Estonia) are places of compact residence of Ukrainians in the Republic of Estonia, where during the Soviet times specialists of the chemical industry and miners from Ukraine were sent to work. Ukrainians also live in Tallinn, Tartu, Maardu, Pärnu.

Representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora in the Estonia are united in two independent structures:

The Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia and the Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia, which include twenty-eight Ukrainian national and cultural societies.

The Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia (chairman – Vira Konyk), currently unites more than ten organizations, including: the Union of Ukrainian Women of Estonia, the scouting organization "Plast" and the sports club "Dnipro", the Ukrainian community of Ida-Virumaa, the Ukrainian cultural and educational society "Stozhary" ” Maardu, Ukrainian community "Barvinok" Rakvere (chairman - Maria Gavrilyuk), Ukrainian society "Smerichka" Oizu (chairman - Hanna Loovili), Ukrainian community Narva, Ukrainian society Pylva, cultural society " Ray" of Tartu. The Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia gathers around the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, which is located in the same building as the Ukrainian Cultural Center (the head is Anatoly Lyutiuk). There is a Ukrainian Sunday school and a folk crafts school at the church, as well as a small library.

Women's vocal group "Vidlunya", choir "Rodyna", girls' ensemble "Verbychenka", girls' ensemble "Dzherela", Ukrainian theater studio ArtStudio, Theater of Ukrainian Rite "Vertep", Club of Ukrainian Literature operate under the organizations of the Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia.

The Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia is a member of the Association of the Peoples of Estonia, the European Congress of Ukrainians, the World Congress of Ukrainians, and the Ukrainian World Coordination Council. Representatives of the Congress are part of the round table of national minorities under the President of Estonia. The Union of Ukrainian Women of Estonia is a member of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations (WFUHO).

The Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia (President - Volodymyr Palamar) unites the following organizations: 1) Center of Ukrainian Culture in Estonia "Prosvita"; 2) Ukrainian village of Sillamye "Vodogray"; 3) Cultural and educational society "Orpheus" of Tapa; 4) Ukrainian society "Vitchizna" of Pärnu; 5) Union of Ukrainian Youth in Estonia; 6) Creative association "Koyt" of Tapa; 7) Ukrainian community of Payde "Spogad", 8) Youth and children's choreographic ensemble "Color" of Tallinn, 9) Ukrainian studio "Kobzaryk" of Tallinn, 10) Ukrainian registered Cossacks in Estonia, Tallinn. The Ukrainian Saturday school "Nadia" operates under the Association.

Academic choir "Ukraine", women's vocal group "Neighbors" and choir "Mriya" (Tallinn), ensemble "Kumasi" operate under the organizations of AUOE.

The Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia closely cooperates with the Ukrainian community, primarily in the field of public and cultural diplomacy to promote the image of Ukraine in Estonia.

Given the large number of Ukrainian children who came to Estonia with their parents, fleeing Russian aggression, the Embassy pays special attention to ensuring their educational needs.

The following Ukrainian schools are currently operating in Tallinn.

1. The school for Ukrainian children at 49 Raagu Street, in a building belonging to Tallinn University, is part of the Lillekyula Gymnasium (municipal school). The project manager is Natalya Myalitsina. The teaching staff of the school is fully represented by Ukrainian teachers from among temporarily displaced persons. Since September 2022, more than 400 students have started studying at the school (the school is designed for 600 educational places).

2. On September 1, 2022, the Tallinn Municipality opened a Ukrainian school at the Tallinn Tynismae State Gymnasium, which was named "Freedom School".

The educational institution is designed for 800 places for students of grades 7-12. Currently, 584 students study at the "Freedom School". Educational activities at the "Freedom School" are conducted using the method of language immersion, at least 60% of lessons are conducted in Estonian. The school is headed by Olga Selishcheva, who previously worked as the head of the Tallinn House of the Estonian Language INSA, as well as a teacher and head of educational work at the school.

Finland

1. Recognition of Ukraine by Finland: December 30, 1991.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: February 26, 1992.

3. Political relations.

In 2022, 17 events took place, including meetings and telephone conversations, at the highest and highest political levels (including visits by Finnish Prime Minister S. Marin (May), Finnish Foreign Minister P. Haavisto (November, as part of a delegation of Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers).

In 2023, the dynamics remained high. In particular, in January 2023, the President of Finland S. Niinistö visited Ukraine, as well as the Minister for International Development and Foreign Trade V. Skinnari and the Minister of the Interior K. Mikkonen, and on 10.03.23, the Prime Minister of Finland S. Marin visited Kyiv together with the Minister of the Environment of Finland M. Ogisalo. 03.05.23 President Zelenskyy pays an official visit to Finland, during which he takes part in the Ukraine-Northern Europe Summit.

4. Trade and economic relations

In 2022, the volume of trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Finland amounted to USD 336.5 million. This is 31.2% less than the volume of trade in goods and services in 2021. Exports of Ukrainian goods and services to Finland amounted to USD 85.3 million. The volume of exports of Ukrainian goods and services to Finland amounted to USD 85.3 million and decreased by 40.2% compared to 2021, while imports decreased by 27.4% and amounted to USD 251.2 million. The imports decreased by 4% and amounted to USD 201.2 million. The balance in trade in goods and services for this period is negative for Ukraine and amounts to USD 165.9 million. The balance of trade in goods and services is negative for Ukraine and amounts to USD 165.9 million.

Trade in goods

The trade turnover between Ukraine and Finland in 2022 amounted to USD 300.9 million. This is 27.9% less than the volume of trade in goods in 2021. In 2022, exports of Ukrainian goods to Finland amounted to usd 61.7 million. This is a 44.4% decrease compared to the previous year, while imports decreased by 21.9% and amounted to USD 239.2 million. The volume of imports decreased by 9% and amounted to USD 239.2 million. The balance of trade in goods for this period is negative for Ukraine and amounts to -177.5 million USD. The balance of trade in goods is negative for Ukraine and amounts to -$177.5 million.

Trade in services

In 2022, the volume of trade in services between Ukraine and Finland amounted to USD 36.8 million. This is 51.6% less than the volume of trade in services in 2021. Exports of Ukrainian services to Finland amounted to USD 24.8 million. This is 31.3% less than in 2021, while imports amounted to USD 12.0 million, a decrease of 69.8%. The volume of imports amounted to USD 12.0 million, which is 69.8%. The balance in trade in services in 2022 is positive and amounts to USD 12.8 million. The balance of trade in services is positive and amounts to USD 12.8 million.

5. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation

The cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Ukraine and Finland is characterized by the organization of art exhibitions, tours of creative groups, Ukrainian film days, lectures, and thematic roundtables, including charity events.

Ukrainian associations in Finland contribute to the development of bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Finland in the field of culture. The International Ukrainian Cultural Center and the Ukrainian Theater in Finland are also actively introducing Ukrainian traditions, culture, and art to the Finnish public.

A tool for strengthening Ukrainian-Finnish relations is the twinning of cities in Ukraine and Finland (Kyiv-Helsinki, Kyiv-Tampere, Odesa-Oulu, Zaporizhzhia-Lahti, Kharkiv-Turku, Chernihiv-Lappeenranta, Nizhyn-Imatra, Kryvyi Rih-Espoo, Varazh-Loviisa, Zvyagel-Suomussalmi).

Currently, there are two Ukrainian historical sites in Finland: a plaque on the building that housed the first diplomatic mission of Ukraine in Finland in 1918-1921 and a monument to Ukrainian soldiers who died during the fighting in northern Finland during the Winter War of 1939-1940.

6. Scientific and educational cooperation

In September 2008, the University of Helsinki's Alexanteri Institute launched the Ukrainian Studies program. The program is aimed at spreading knowledge about Ukraine among students and researchers of Finnish higher education institutions, provides for the study of Ukrainian language, literature, history and culture by Finnish and foreign students, conducting research on Ukrainian topics, and student exchanges.

Since January 2007, the Ukrainian language has been taught at the Department of Slavic and Baltic Languages and Literature of the University of Helsinki on an optional basis.

The Finnish language is taught at the Kyiv National Linguistic University, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, and National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute".

Since 2004, the Scandinavian Gymnasium has been operating in Kyiv, where Finnish is taught from the 5th grade onwards.

From July 2018 to June 2023, the project "Finnish Support for Ukrainian School Reform" ("Learning Together") was implemented. For 4 years, Finland has provided expert assistance to Ukraine in upgrading the qualifications of primary school teachers, improving the educational environment of schools as part of the New Ukrainian School reform, preparing modern teaching materials, and raising public perception of the importance of education and the need for its reform.

From 2020 to June 2023, Finland took part in the implementation of the EU Program "EU4Skills: Better Skills for Modern Ukraine", which aims to increase the effectiveness of reforms in the field of vocational education and training. The main objective of the EU4Skills Program is to modernize vocational education to ensure sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development of the country.

The plans to deepen educational cooperation between Ukraine and Finland are currently underway.

The Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, at the request and with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Embassy of Ukraine in Finland, assisted in the preparation and conduct of the National Multiple Subject Test (NMT) for Ukrainian applicants in Finland in 2022-2023.

7. Legal framework: 48 agreements, including intergovernmental agreements on trade and economic cooperation (01.03.1993), on the promotion and mutual protection of investments (07.10.2004);

In 2023, the interagency cooperation process intensified:

On January 19, 23, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Finland and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine on cooperation to promote digital sustainability and development.

10.03.23 р. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine and the Ministry of the Environment of Finland,

10.03.23 р. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine and the Ministry of the Environment of Finland.

8. Ukrainian community

Today, there are about 54,000 Ukrainians in Finland, the vast majority of whom have been granted temporary protection in the country due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Places of compact residence are the cities of. Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo, Tampere, Jyväskylä, Turku, Oulu, and Salo. Before the war, the Ukrainian community in Finland numbered about 5 thousand people.

There are about 14 associations of Ukrainians in Finland. Among them are the largest: "The Association of Ukrainians in Finland, Ukrainians of Finland, and the Association of Ukrainians in Tampere.

The associations organize charity events and fundraisers for Ukraine and Ukrainians who suffered during the war. At the same time, all associations of Ukrainians abroad (in Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, etc.) opened refugee assistance centers and centers for receiving humanitarian aid to be sent to Ukraine.

9. Diplomatic institutions: Embassies of Ukraine in Finland and Iceland (concurrently); Embassy of Finland in Ukraine.

France

Ukrainian-French bilateral relations

Recognition of Ukraine: December 27, 1991.

Establishment of diplomatic relations: January 24, 1992.

Diplomatic missions: Embassy of Ukraine in France, Embassy of the French Republic in Ukraine.

Recent contacts at the level of heads of state:

December 11, 2022 - phone conversation between President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and President of France E. Macron.

January 04, 2023 - phone conversation between President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and President of France E. Macron.

January 24, 2023 - phone conversation between President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and President of France E. Macron.

February 08, 2023 – visit of President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy to France (Paris), trilateral meeting with President of France E. Macron and German Chancellor.

February 19, 2023 - phone conversation between President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and President of France E. Macron.

April 01, 2023 - phone conversation between President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and President of France E. Macron.

April 15, 2023 - phone conversation between President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and President of France E. Macron.

April 30, 2023 - phone conversation between President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and President of France E. Macron.

May 14, 2023 - visit of President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy to France (Paris), meeting with President of France E. Macron.

June 01, 2023 – meeting of President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy with President of France E. Macron on the sidelines of the Second Summit of the European Political Community (Moldova).

June 07, 2023 - phone conversation between President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and President of France E. Macron.

Contacts at the parliamentary level:

May 19, 2022 - phone conversation between Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R. Stefanchuk and President of the Senate of France J. Larcher.

June 3-7, 2022 - visit of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R. Stefanchuk to France.

July 7-10, 2022 - visit of President of the French Senate J. Larcher to Ukraine.

September 29, 2022 - visit of a delegation of the French National Assembly headed by its President Yael Bron-Pivet to Ukraine.

January 30-February 2, 2023 - visit of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada R. Stefanchuk to France.

Contacts at the governmental level:

January 26, 2022 - visit of First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Y. Svyrydenko to France.

March 18, 2022 - phone conversation between Prime Minister of Ukraine D. Shmyhal and Prime Minister of France J. Castex.

May 22-24, 2022 - visit of Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine O. Stefanishyna to France.

June 6-8, 2022 - visit of Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine O. Stefanishyna to France.

June 28, 2022 - phone conversation between Prime Minister of Ukraine D. Shmyhal and newly appointed Prime Minister of France E. Born.

December 11-14, 2022 - official visit of Prime Minister of Ukraine D. Shmyhal to France. Meetings with President of France E. Macron, Prime Minister of France E. Born, Minister of Economy, Finance and Digital and Industrial Sovereignty B. Le Maire, Minister of Energy Transition Anès Pannier-Runacher, IAEA Director General R. Grossi, OECD Secretary General M. Korman, Vice President of the International Finance Corporation A. Garcia Mora and Deputy Prime Minister of Canada C. Freeland.

Contacts at the level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

January 29, 2022 - Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba has a telephone conversation with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France J.-Y. Le Drian, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France.

February 26, 2022 - phone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France J.-Y. Le Drian.

February 27, 2022 – meeting of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba with the G7 Foreign Ministers.

March 9, 2022 - phone conversation between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France J.-Y. Le Drian.

March 10, 2022 - phone conversation between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France J.-Y. Le Drian.

March 31, 2022 - phone conversation between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France J.-Y. Le Drian.

April 07, 2022 - meeting of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba with Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France J.-Y. Le Drian on the sidelines of the G7.

April 14, 2022 - phone conversation between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France J.-Y. Le Drian.

April 25, 2022 - phone conversation between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France J.-Y. Le Drian.

May 14, 2022 - meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France J.-Y. Le Drian on the sidelines of the G7 meeting.

May 26, 2022 - phone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and newly appointed Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France C. Colonna.

May 30, 2022 – visit of Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France C. Colonna to Ukraine.

August 30, 2022 – meeting of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France C. Colonna on the sidelines of the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in the "Gymnich" format in Prague.

September 22, 2022 – meeting of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France C. Colonna on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.

September 27, 2022 – visit of Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France C. Colonna to Ukraine.

October 24, 2022 - phone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France C. Colonna.

November 03, 2022 - phone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France C. Colonna.

January 26, 2023 – visit of Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France C. Colonna to Ukraine (Odesa), meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba.

February 23, 2023 – meeting of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France C. Colonna on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly emergency session in New York.

May 14, 2023 - meeting of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France C. Colonna during President Zelenskyy's working visit to France.

High-level bilateral bodies:

Mixed Ukrainian-French Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation (the eighth meeting of the Commission took place on 26-27.11.2020 in the format of a video conference. Following the event, the parties signed the Final Declaration, in which they highly appreciated the state of economic cooperation between Ukraine and France and emphasized the importance of developing mutually beneficial cooperation. Particular attention was paid to the state of implementation of current bilateral projects.)

Ukrainian-French Mixed Commission on Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation (last meeting - February 13, 2008 in Paris).

Ukrainian-French Mixed Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (last meeting - November 27, 2012 in Kyiv).

Contractual and legal framework

Number of valid documents: 86. Key documents:

Treaty on Understanding and Cooperation between Ukraine and the French Republic (16.06.1992); Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the French Republic on Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments (03.05.1994); Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the French Republic on Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation (19. 10.1995); Convention between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Property (31.01.1997); Joint Declaration of the President of Ukraine and the President of the French Republic (22.04.2015), Memorandum on parliamentary cooperation between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the National Assembly of the French Republic of 29.08.22

Trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and the French Republic

Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine made adjustments to the development of economic relations between Ukraine and the world. Accordingly, the State Statistics Service of Ukraine did not publish data on Ukraine's trade in goods with foreign countries for 2022 (the latest available information on trade in goods with France for January 2022 - 212.88 million US dollars). If we analyze the data for 2021, the total turnover between Ukraine and France amounted to 3,089.7 million US dollars (+30.2% compared to 2020 figures). The increase in turnover was caused by a sharp increase in commodity exports (+51.3%) and imports (+19.6%), while exports of Ukrainian services grew by +39.1%. The foreign trade balance was negative for Ukraine and amounted to -796.6 million dollars. USA. According to Eurostat data, in 2022, Ukraine's exports to France amounted to EUR 704 million, and Ukraine's imports from France amounted to EUR 795 million.

It is necessary to note the positive dynamics of Ukrainian exports of fats and oils of animal origin (22.1%). In addition, positive dynamics were observed in other trade positions: seeds and fruits of oleaginous plants (18.7%), food industry residues and waste (9.8%), ferrous metals (7.2%), wood and wood products ( 5.4%), fertilizers (3.5%), edible fruits and nuts (3.3%), electric machines (3.2%).

Regarding trade in services, the value of services provided by Ukraine to France amounted to 250.07 million dollars. USA, which is 36.7% more compared to the corresponding period of 2020. The main items of export of Ukrainian services to France were transport services (39.7%), services in the field of telecommunications, computer and information services (36.4%), business services (16.8%), services for the processing of material resources ( 4.3%).

According to the National Bank of Ukraine, as of December 31, 2021, France invested $1,315.8 million in the economy of Ukraine. US direct investment (equity instruments and debt instruments, balances by countries of the world).

Equity instruments (balances by countries of the world) as of 12/31/2021 amounted to USD 1,055.3 million. of the USA, which is 2.2 percent of the total volume of direct foreign investments involved in the economy of Ukraine.

The largest volume of investments from France in the economy of Ukraine went to the sphere of financial and insurance activities - 471.1 million dollars. USA, which is 44.6 percent. from the total volume of French investments in the Ukrainian economy.

To the sphere of wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles attracted 321.8 million dollars. USA, which is 30.5 percent. from their total volume.

Industry received 157.9 million dollars. USA, which is 15.0 percent. from the total volume of French investments in the Ukrainian economy.

Inflows of French investments in industry were distributed as follows:

Industry	As of 31.12.2020 million dollars USA	In % of the investment volume	As of 31.12.2021 million dollars USA	In % of the investment volume
The total volume of investments in industry: including:	140,9	17,0	157,9	15,0
Mining and quarrying	*	*	*	*
Processing industry	131,8	15,9	148,8	14,1
Supply of electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning	*	*	*	*

USD 27.9 million was involved in the field of transport, warehouse management, postal and courier activities. USA, which is 2.6 percent. from the volume of investments.

Investments in other spheres of economic activity were distributed as follows:

- agriculture, forestry and fisheries – 45.7 million US dollars.(4.3%);

- information and telecommunications - 17.5 million UA dollars (1.7%);

- activities in the field of administrative and auxiliary services - 4.4 million US dollars (0.4%);

- professional, scientific and technical activities - 3.6 million US dollars, which is 0.3% of the total volume of investments in the Ukrainian economy;

- transactions with real estate - 2.5 million US dollars (0.2%);

- construction - 1.9 million US dollars (0.2%).

- temporary accommodation and catering - 1.0 million US dollars (0.1%);

- education - * million US dollars.

Despite Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian-French economic cooperation had quite positive dynamics during the year, in particular in the context of reconstruction and the provision of financial assistance to Ukraine. One of the key economic events in bilateral relations this year was the official visit of the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal to Paris on December 11-14, 2022, during which 5 agreements were concluded with international partners, totaling almost 500 million euros.

In addition, within the framework of the Forum, the French side handed over a letter about the program of providing state guarantees to the French government through the investment bank Bpifrance Assurance Export for the export of sowing seeds to Ukraine in the amount of approximately 20-25 million euros.

During 2022, cooperation in the field of nuclear energy strengthened: on September 5, 2022, negotiations were held between the French company ORANO and "Energoatom" regarding promising areas of cooperation in the field of nuclear energy.

On December 2, 2022, a meeting of the Ukrainian part of the Mixed Ukrainian-French Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation was held in order to update the current state of implementation of the Action Plan for the implementation of agreements reached during the 8th meeting of the Commission. The next meeting was suggested by representatives of the French Ministry of Economy to be held approximately in May-June this year, in the context of a possible visit of the Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Bruno Le Maire to Ukraine.

On March 9, 2023, with the assistance of the Embassy of Ukraine in France, together with the French law firm BG2V, a conference on attracting investments for the reconstruction of Ukraine was held in Paris.

About 110 participants from French companies and government organizations took part in the event, including representatives of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Economy, Finance, Industrial and Digital Sovereignty of France, the government office for attracting investments UkraineInvest, the association Business France, MEDEF International, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine and others.

During the event, the participants were presented with the initiatives and incentives of the Ukrainian Government to support the attraction of investments in Ukraine, promising reconstruction projects, as well as the experience of French companies that continue to work on the Ukrainian market during the war and financial support tools that France offers to its companies.

Opening of new markets

The involvement of Ukrainian manufacturing companies and goods in the French market is carried out in accordance with the unified, harmonized rules and standards of the EU, the provisions of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU. Separate national restrictions on the access of groups of Ukrainian goods, apart from temporary bans in case of phytosanitary threats, are not introduced by the French side.

Exhibition activity

It is worth paying attention, in particular, to active cooperation in the field of IT. On June 15-18, 2022, the first official delegation of Ukraine took place at the Viva Technology international technology conference. In particular, 14 Ukrainian startups and the Ukrainian technological ecosystem as a whole, the unique legal and tax space of Diya.City and Ukrainian victories on the cyber front were presented at Viva Tech 2022.

In the context of the participation of Ukrainian companies in exhibition events, the Embassy of Ukraine in France agreed with the organizers of the SIAL Paris 2022 exhibition to provide a free stand for Ukrainian exporters. The national stand of Ukraine and the Ukrainian food export sector at the exhibition were represented by Ukrainian manufacturers and exporters, in particular 17 companies, including: "GREENVECTOR", "VSmak", "Agroimpex Group", "AMBRA GRAIN", "Oliyar", "Kernel-Trade" " which presented a wide range of domestic oil products, as well as "ICHNYA CONDENSED MILK COMPANY" (condensed milk), "Schedro" (ketchups and mayonnaise), "GK Alliance" (sausages), Radyvylivmoloko (butter and cheese), "Khorol Factory for Baby Food", "Limo ice cream" and others. This is the first exhibition where the Ukrainian stand was organized under the patronage of NAZOVNI - a digital platform of diplomatic assistance for the promotion of Ukrainian exports abroad.

In recent years, the Embassy has maintained constructive relations with the organizers of the La Cité du Vin Wine Culture and Civilization Foundation. In this regard, with the support of the Ukrvinprom association and the Embassy, on November 15, 2022, a presentation of the Ukrainian wine industry was held in the French city of Bordeaux at the La Cité du Vin Wine Culture and Civilization Foundation. The event took place within the framework of the project called "Ukrainian wine - part of the world cultural heritage of wine at the La Cité du Vin fund", where the best samples of Ukrainian "ambassador" wines were presented. Ukraine was represented by Prestige group, Shabo, Kolonist, 46 Parallel wine group, My wine by Eduard Gorodetsky, Falko Winery, Beykush Winery, Chateau Chizay, Stakhovsky Wines, Graevo, Artwinery and Fathers Wine.Посольством було домовлено про безкоштовне виділення площі на Міжнародній виставці «Wine Paris&Vinexpo Paris.» (13-15 лютого 2023 р) для національного стенду. З українського боку було забезпечено участь українських компаній як Chateau Chizay, SHABO, ТМ «Falko», ТМ «Graevo», Artwinery, ТМ «Odessa Prestige».

Also, the Embassy of Ukraine in France held negotiations with the organizers of the exhibition "Global Industrie 2023 (March 7-10, 2023), during which it was agreed to provide Ukrainian companies with preferential conditions and free space (84 m²) in the hall dedicated to the Universe of Regions and Countries (l'Univers Régions et Pays). The organizers of the exhibition agreed to provide Ukrainian companies with a preferential tariff of 420 euros for each exhibitor. In addition, the organizers provided an offer on the possibility of building a Ukrainian stand at a price of 204 euros without VAT per m².

The embassy agreed to provide a free stand for the participation of Ukrainian companies in the IT exhibition VivaTechnology 2023, which took place on June 14-17, 2023 in Paris. 12 Ukrainian startups took part in the exhibition: UGLA, Qudi, Orderry, SkillzRun, Revisior, FlightMind.AI, USPACY, MISU, InVisionaryBox, Adminix, G-MAK and Elomia Health.

Economic indicators

Annual inflation (for 2022)– 5.2%.

GDP dynamics (for 2022): +2,6%, forecast for 2023 р.: +0,3%, 2024 р.: +1,2%.

Industrial production (for 2022): +0,3%.

France ranks 6th in the world among exporting countries (with a share of 3.4%).

139,400 French enterprises work for export.

Exports from France (for the first 3 quarters of 2022) – 439 billion euros (+20% compared to the same period in 2021).

Imports to France in February 2023 – 61.5 billion euros (-1.2 billion compared to -1.5 billion in January 2023).

The main export destinations of French products are Germany (68.6 billion euros), Italy (39.1 billion euros), Belgium (37.2 billion euros). Spain (36.4 billion euros). In total, EU countries account for 54.3% of French exports, Great Britain - 6%, other European countries - 7.6%, Asia - 13.7%, American continents - 10.6%.

The main countries from which France imports goods are: Germany (81.4 billion euros), China (63.8 billion euros). Italy (46.3 billion euros), Belgium (45.6 billion euros). In total, EU countries account for 54% of French imports, Great Britain - 3.6%, other European countries - 7%, Asia - 19.2%, American continents - 8%.

The largest export industries are the aerospace industry (19.7 billion euros), the chemical and perfume industry (15.2 billion euros), the agricultural industry (8 billion euros), and the pharmaceutical industry (2.6 billion euros).

Industries most dependent on imports: energy (43.1 billion euros), production equipment 9.5 billion euros), automotive industry (18 billion euros), textile industry and clothing manufacturing (8.6 billion euros).

Export of services from France in 2022 – 240.4 billion euros (+20.8%).

Import of services to France in 2022 – 228.6 billion euros.

Germany

1. Recognition of Ukraine: December 26, 1991.

2. Restoration of diplomatic relations: January 17, 1992.

3. High-level dialog

Contacts and visits of top officials

February 14, 2022 – the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits Ukraine. Meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

May 05, 2022 – the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has a telephone conversation with the Federal President of Germany F.-W. Steinmeier.

May 08, 2022 – the President of the Bundestag Baerbel Bas visits Ukraine.

June 01-03, 2022 - the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk visited Germany.

June 16, 2022 - the Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits Kyiv with the leaders of four countries: Italy, France, and Romania.

June 30, 2022 - the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy has a telephone conversation with the Federal President F.-W. Steinmeier.

September 04, 2022 - the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal visits Berlin. Meeting with Federal President F.-W. Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck.

October 20, 2022 - the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy has a phone conversation with the Federal President F.-W. Steinmeier.

October 25, 2022 - the Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visits Ukraine. Meeting with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

October 24-26, 2022 - the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal visits Berlin. Meeting with the Federal President F.-W. Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck. Participation in the V Ukrainian-German Business Forum and the International Expert Conference on the Restoration, Reconstruction and Modernization of Ukraine.

January 17, 2023 - the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy has a telephone conversation with the Federal President F.-W. Steinmeier.

February 8, 2023 - trilateral meeting of the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy with the Federal Chancellor of Germany O. Scholz and the President of France E. Macron in Paris.

May 14, 2023 - the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy pays an official visit to Berlin.

May 20, 2023 - the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy meets with the Federal Chancellor of Germany O. Scholz at the G7 Summit in Japan.

June 01, 2023 - a joint meeting of President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy with the leaders of Germany, France and Italy (Chisinau, Moldova).

In 2022, the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy has had 11 phone conversations with the Chancellor Olaf Scholz - on February 24, March 01, March 10, March 12, March 28, April 10, May 17, June 08, September 07, October 31, November 29.

Since the beginning of 2023, the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy has had the following telephone conversations with the Chancellor Olaf Scholz: 06.01, 25.01, 30.05.

Dialogue at the level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Contacts and visits of the foreign ministers

January 17, 2022 - visit of the Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Annalena Baerbock to Kyiv.

February 07-08, 2022 - visit of the Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Annalena Baerbock to Kyiv and to the contact line in eastern Ukraine.

May 10, 2022 - visit of the Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Annalena Baerbock to Kyiv and Bucha.

May 11-14, 2022 – the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba visits Berlin and Lübeck to participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

August 31, 2022 - Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba meets with the Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Annalena Baerbock on the sidelines of the Anthem Conference in Prague.

September 10, 2022 - the Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Annalena Baerbock visits Kyiv. Participation in the Yalta Security Conference, meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba.

December 01, 2022 - Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba meets with the Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Annalena Baerbock on the sidelines of the OSCE Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Lodz, Poland.

January 10, 2023 - visit of the Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Annalena Baerbock to Ukraine. Joint trip to Kharkiv with the Minister Kuleba.

During 2022, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba had the following phone conversations with the Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Annalena Baerbock on 07.02, 25.02, 09.03, 15.03, 02.04, 26.05, 06.07, 27.10.

Since the beginning of 2023, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba has had telephone conversations with the Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Annalena Baerbock - 14.06.

4. Interparliamentary cooperation

The activities of groups on interparliamentary cooperation, which are working bodies for the implementation of projects of cooperation between the legislative bodies of both countries, are of great importance.

The Parliamentary Group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Interparliamentary Relations with the Federal Republic of Germany was established on December 18, 2019 (co-chairs - S. Taruta (All-Ukrainian Union "Batkivshchyna") and H. Yanchenko (Political Party "Servant of the People").

On March 23, 2022, a new German-Ukrainian Group for Interparliamentary Cooperation of the 20th Bundestag was formed, consisting of 20 MPs and headed by Robin Wagener (Union 90/Greens). The German-Ukrainian group of the previous 19th convocation of the Bundestag was headed by Omid Nuripour (current leader of the party Alliance 90/The Greens).

Contacts between the Chairmen of the Verkhovna Rada and the Bundestag since 2022:

On February 25, 2022, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk had a telephone conversation with the President of the Bundestag Baerbel Bas.

On March 03, 2022, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk had a telephone conversation with the President of the Bundestag Baerbel Bas.

On March 16, 2022, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk took part in a meeting of the Heads of Parliament of the Group of Seven + Ukraine.

May 08, 2022 - the President of the Bundestag Baerbel Bas visits Kyiv.

On May 18, 2022, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk had a telephone conversation with the President of the Bundestag Baerbel Bas.

On June 01-03, 2022, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk visited Berlin.

August 23, 2022 - the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk had a telephone conversation with President of the Bundestag Baerbel Bas.

On September 15-17, 2022, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk paid his second visit to Berlin.

On October 24, 2022, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk met with President of the Bundestag Baerbel Bas on the sidelines of the first parliamentary summit of the Crimean Platform in Zagreb.

On February 1-2, 2023, the Vice President of the German Bundestag Katrin Göring-Eckardt visited Ukraine.

On February 9, 2023, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk had a telephone conversation with the President of the Bundestag Baerbel Bas.

5. Existing bilateral high-level bodies

Name: Ukrainian-German High Level Group on Economic Cooperation.

Legal basis for its establishment:

Based on the agreements reached during the first working visit of the President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko to Germany (March 8-9, 2005) and negotiations with Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

Number of meetings held: 12 meetings.

The last meeting of the Working Group was held online on October 24, 2022, under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna and Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Dr. Franziska Brantner.

The Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna chairs the Ukrainian delegation.

6. Legal framework

Development of the legal framework in 2022.

№	Date	Name	Act
	07.12.2022	Grant Agreement between Ukraine, represented by the Minister of Finance of Ukraine, and KfW - IDP Resilience Program in Ukraine and Separate Agreement to the Grant Agreement between Ukraine, represented by the Minister of Finance of Ukraine, and KfW - IDP Resilience Program in Ukraine	Signing and entry into force
	04.11.2022	Working Program of Cooperation 2024 to the Joint Statement on Legal Cooperation between the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and the Federal Ministry of Justice of the Federal Republic of Germany dated March 13, 2017..	Signing and entry into force
	25.07.2022	Loan and Grant Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and KfW and the Enterprise Development Fund, Project "Refinancing of Energy Efficient Investments of Small and Medium Enterprises of Ukraine through the Financial Sector (Enterprise Development Fund III and IV)"	Signing and entry into force
	24.06.2022	Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany on a grant of the Federal Republic of Germany in favor of Ukraine to meet its budgetary needs in order to stabilize the economy of Ukraine in accordance with the instrument established by the International Monetary Fund for the administrative account for Ukraine	entry into force 24.06.2022
	24.05.2022	Agreement between the National Bank of Ukraine, the Federal Bank of Germany and the Ministry of Finance of Germany on the exchange of hryvnia in Germany	Signing and entry into force
	22.03.2022	Joint Statement on Amendments to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany on an Unrelated Financial Facility in the Amount of EUR 500 million dated April 1, 2015	Signing and entry into force

7. Trade and economic cooperation

In terms of bilateral trade between Ukraine and European countries in 2022, Germany ranks 2nd after Poland with a share of 13.0%.

In 2022, the volume of trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Germany decreased by 25.2% to $7.65 billion. The volume of Ukrainian exports decreased to USD 2.78 billion, while imports from Germany fell to USD 4.86 billion.

The structure of exports of Ukrainian goods to Germany: electrical machinery (19.4%); seeds and fruits of oil plants (13.4%); wood and wood products (9.0%); ferrous metal products (6.8%); furniture (6.2%); nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery (6.0%); cereals (5.9%); clothing and clothing accessories, textiles (4.0%).

Structure of imports from Germany: means of land transport other than railways (24.9%); nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery (11.9%); mineral fuels, oil and its distillation products (9.5%); pharmaceutical products (8.1%); plastics, polymeric materials (5.5%); electrical machinery (5.3%); various chemical products (3.6%); optical, photographic instruments and apparatus (3.0%).

Exports of services: telecommunication, computer and information (29.1%); transportation (27.7%); processing of material resources (18.9%); business (15.9%); repair and maintenance (2.8%).

Imports of services: transportation (42.3%); telecommunications, computer and information (22.3%); royalties and other services related to intellectual property (11.4%); business (10.0%); financial activities (3.4%).

Ukrainian community

According to the official data of German authorities, about 150,000 ethnic Ukrainians were registered in Germany before Russia's full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine. According to the Central Register of Foreigners, as of June 2023, there were more than 1 million Ukrainians in Germany seeking protection from the war. 846,000 of them are officially registered for temporary protection (§24 AufenthG).

Most of temporary protection seekers from Ukraine have been registered in Nordrhein-Westfalen (224.000), Bavaria (152.000), Baden-Württemberg (136.000), Niedersachsen (111.000).

Historically Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Ulm, Braunschweig, Frankfurt-am-Main, Freiburg, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Dresden and Leipzig have been considered as centres of Ukrainian settlement.

Over 50 Ukrainian civil organizations have been officially registered in Germany. Their main activities are directed at organizing cultural events, teaching Ukrainian language and volunteering. There are also Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Church communities.

Some newly established organizations have been founded in response to Russia’s full-scaled invasion in order to provide humanitarian relief, psychological and social adaptation, implement political and civil activities.

Since its foundation in 2018 the Ukrainian radio TremBeats FM has been functioning in Germany. Some new media initiatives have also developed recently in order to provide accurate and up-to-date information for Ukrainian citizens in the Ukrainian language (Amal Berlin, the Ukrainian Newspaper of Germany, etc).

Greece

1. Recognition of Ukraine: December 31, 1991.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: January 15, 1992.

3. Political relations:

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, three visits of the President of Ukraine to the Hellenic Republic took place: in November 1996, September 2007, and June 2010.

The President of Greece visited Ukraine in December 1997, April 2008, and November 2022.

Recent contacts at the highest level:

In 2022, there were a total of 12 contacts and meetings with the Greek side at the highest and highest levels, including three telephone conversations between President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Greece K.Mitsotakis (13.03.2022, 22.06.2022, 30.12.2022); the visit of President of Greece K.Sakellaropoulou to Ukraine (03.11.2022); Prime Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Shmyhal's meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kiriakos Mitsotakis on the sidelines of the informal EU summit in the Czech Republic (05.10.2022); three visits of Greek Foreign Minister N.Dendias to Ukraine (03.04.2022, 12.07.2022, 19.10.2022).

In 2023, President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Greece K.Mitsotakis on the sidelines of a special meeting of the European Council in Brussels (09.02.2023); Minister of Defense of Ukraine O.Reznikov visited Greece (06.04. 2023); telephone conversation between President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic K.Mitsotakis (10.04.2023); telephone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D.Kuleba and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece N.Dendias (16.05.2023).

Existing high-level bilateral bodies:

- Intergovernmental Joint Ukrainian-Greek Working Group on Economic, Industrial, Technical and Scientific Cooperation (5th meeting held in Athens, 13.07.2011); the Ukrainian part is chaired by Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine - Trade Representative of Ukraine T.Kachka;

- Interagency Ukrainian-Greek Commission on Road Transportation (05-06.03.2013, Athens).

Legal framework: 47 documents, including:

- Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation;

- Agreement on Economic, Industrial, Scientific and Technical Cooperation;

- Agreement on Military Cooperation;

- Agreement on Cooperation in Culture, Education and Science;

- Treaty on Legal Assistance in Civil Matters;

- Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments;

- Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Property;

- Protocol on Consular Relations between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Hellenic Republic.

Several draft bilateral documents, including those on social security, are currently being worked on by the parties.

Trade and economic cooperation

According to the Hellenic Statistical Office - ELSTAT, in January-June 2022, the value of Greece's imports from Ukraine amounted to $74.5 million, recording a decrease of 14.9% compared to January-June 2021, when this figure was $87.5 million. The value of Greece's exports to Ukraine amounted to $130.6 million, recording an increase of 28.6% compared to the period January-June 2021, when this figure was $101.5 million. The trade balance was positive for Greece and amounted to $56.1 million.

Ukrainian community

As of 2023, the size of the Ukrainian community in Greece amounted to about 25 thousand people (or 0.22% of the total population), of which about 21 thousand people are representatives of labor migration temporarily residing in the country. The overwhelming majority of Ukrainians live in Athens, with numerous Ukrainian communities on the island of Crete and in the cities of Thessaloniki and Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki and Patras.

Since February 24, 2022, more than 80 thousand Ukrainian citizens have arrived in Greece (according to the Greek competent authorities), the vast majority of whom are women, children and the elderly.

There are 7 registered Ukrainian public associations in the country (6 in Athens, 1 in Thessaloniki). Three of the Ukrainian NGOs operating in Athens (the Ukrainian Diaspora Society "Ukrainian-Greek Thought", the Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center "Berehynia", and the Center for the Preservation and Development of Ukrainian Cultural Heritage "Trembita") have Ukrainian Saturday schools, and a fourth school, the Ukrainian Catechetical School, operates at the Church of St. Nicholas in Athens. The Ukrainian Crane Land Association (Athens) operates the Ukrainian Cultural Center and the Borys Antonych Ukrainian Library.

The Embassy of Ukraine to the Hellenic Republic has a Public Council of Heads of Ukrainian Associations in Greece, which meets regularly.

The Greek community in Ukraine

The Greek community in Ukraine numbers more than 100 thousand people, most of whom live compactly in the Donetsk region, in particular in the city of Mariupol and nearby villages. As of February 2022, there were more than 100 Greek public national and cultural associations in Ukraine, most of which are members of the Federation of Greek Societies of Ukraine (FGSU), Mariupol.

With the support of the Ukrainian state, there are more than 40 public schools teaching the New Greek language, history and culture of Greece. Mariupol State University is positioned as a "Greek" university, where students at most faculties study Greek alongside their main specialty. The New Greek language is taught at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, and Donetsk State Universities, as well as at the Drahomanov National Pedagogical University.

Greek philanthropists and individual municipalities join the efforts of the Greek state. "The Bumbouras Foundation provides financial assistance to Ukrainian students from socially disadvantaged categories who are pursuing higher education in Ukrainian universities in the areas of "New Greek language, literature, culture," and supports the cultural and educational activities of Greek communities in Ukraine.

On August 24, 2022, the central office of the Union of Greeks of Ukraine in Greece was opened in Thessaloniki, headed by the President of the Federation of Greek Societies of Ukraine, Oleksandra Protsenko-Pichadzhi. Leaders and activists of Greek communities in Mariupol, Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Odesa became members of the Union. The purpose of this union is to consolidate the Greeks of Ukraine who have found temporary protection in Greece due to the military actions, to concentrate human potential, to communicate, to provide humanitarian aid and advice on finding housing, to restore cultural events, etc.

Iceland

1. Recognition of Ukraine's independence: January 19, 1992.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: March 30, 1992.

3. Political dialogue

Since 24.02.2022, Iceland has immediately and strongly condemned Russia's large-scale military invasion of Ukraine and has been taking an active position in creating conditions for punishing Russia for war crimes, crimes of aggression, crimes against humanity and genocide in Ukraine.

Iceland supports the establishment of the Special International Tribunal for the punishment of the Russian Federation for the crime of aggression, provides financial assistance to the investigation of war crimes by the International Criminal Court, and joined international efforts to support Ukraine in the case against Russia in the International Court of Justice (genocide).

Iceland is actively involved in the development and promotion of relevant resolutions in the UN and other international organizations and lobbies for broad international support for Ukraine.

Iceland helps Ukraine receive military assistance, participates in Ramstein meetings and has joined all EU sanctions.

In 2022, 8 events, including meetings and phone calls, took place at the highest and highest political levels.

In 2023, Prime Minister of Iceland K. Jakobsdottir and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iceland T.K. Gylfadottir visited Kyiv. Meetings were held with the President, PM and MFA of Ukraine (03.14.2023).

On April 24, 2023, on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada R. Stefanchuk met with Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament B. Armannsson.

03.28.2023 - Icelandic Foreign Minister Thórfadóttir Gylfadóttir visited Odesa as part of a delegation of Baltic and Nordic foreign ministers.

01.05.2023 - telephone conversation between Prime Minister of Iceland K.Jakobsdottir and Prime Minister of Ukraine D.Shmyhal.

03.05.2023 - President Zelenskyy had a meeting with PM Jakobsdóttir during an official visit to Helsinki, Finland, in the framework of the Ukraine-Northern Europe Summit.

13-14.05.2023 - visit to Iceland by Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada O. Kondratiuk (meetings with the Speaker and Vice Speakers of the Althingi, Minister of Justice J. Gunnarsson, and Minister of Foreign Affairs T. Gylfadottir).

16-17.05.2023 - Prime Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Shmyhal participated in the 4th Summit of the Council of Europe Heads of State and Government in Reykjavik.

02.06.2023 - Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada R. Stefanchuk had a meeting with Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament B. Armannsson on the sidelines of parliamentary events in Vilnius.

4. Trade and economic cooperation

According to the results of 2022, Iceland ranks 31st in terms of bilateral trade in goods among Ukraine's European trading partners with a share of 0.2%.

In 2022, the volume of trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Iceland amounted to USD 82.2 million. The volume of exports of Ukrainian goods and services amounted to USD 82.2 mln. The volume of exports of Ukrainian goods and services to Iceland amounted to USD 3.1 million. The volume of exports of Ukrainian goods and services to Iceland amounted to USD 3.1 million and increased by 7.8% compared to 2021, while imports decreased by 38.4% and amounted to USD 79.1 million. The volume of imports decreased by 4% and amounted to USD 79.1 mln. The balance in trade in goods and services for this period is negative for Ukraine and amounts to USD 76.0 million. The trade balance in goods and services is negative for Ukraine and has amounted to USD 76.0 mln.

Trade in goods

According to the results of 2022, the trade turnover between Ukraine and Iceland amounted to 80.7 million USD, which is a significant increase. Exports amounted to USD 2.1 million. This is 43.5% more than in 2021, and imports amounted to USD 78.6 million, which is 38.8% less than in 2021. This is 38.8% less than in 2021. The balance of trade in goods for this period is negative for Ukraine and amounts to USD 76.5 million. The trade balance in goods is negative for Ukraine and amounts to USD 76.5 mln.

Trade in services

In 2022, the volume of trade in services between Ukraine and Iceland amounted to 1551.8 thousand dollars. The volume of exports amounted to 9.2 mln USD. Exports amounted to USD 989.2 thousand. This is 29.6% less than in 2021, while imports amounted to USD 562.6 thousand. This is 3.9 times more than in 2021. The balance is positive and amounts to 426.6 thousand dollars. The balance is positive and amounts to USD 426.6 thousand. The structure of exports of services: business services - 49.3%; telecommunications, computer and information services - 32.1%; transportation services - 17.6%. The structure of imports of services: transportation services - 98.6%; travel services - 1.0%.

5. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation

In 2012, the Association of Ukrainians in Iceland (Félag Úkraínumanna á Ísland) was registered in Iceland, which promotes the Ukrainian traditions, culture and art to the Icelandic public.

The Ukrainian community consists of 225 citizens of Ukraine, who mainly live in the capital, Reykjavik. Reykjavik.

Since February 2022, Iceland has provided temporary asylum to more than 2,700 Ukrainian citizens who were forced to flee the war. Iceland has created all the necessary conditions for their residence, education and full access to the healthcare system and labor market.

The Ukrainian community in Iceland, together with Icelanders, actively support Ukraine, organize charity events and fundraisers for Ukraine and Ukrainians affected by the war, and regularly hold rallies.

6. Legal framework: 7 documents in force: 1 convention, 5 agreements, and 1 memorandum of understanding (in the final stages of preparation: The Agreement between Ukraine and Iceland on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments and the Agreement between the CMU and the Government of Iceland on Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters).

7. Ukrainian community in Iceland

The Ukrainian community in Iceland includes several hundred compatriots across the country.

Since February 24, 2022, more than 2,700 Ukrainians have arrived in the country.

In 2012, the Society of Ukrainians in Iceland (Félag Úkraínumanna á Íslandi) was founded in Iceland. The organization regularly participates in representing Ukraine at international festivals (Fjölmenningardagar/Multicultural Days) held in Reykjavik in May/June and in Akranes or Borgarnes in October/November.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Society has been involved in active information and volunteer activities.

8. Diplomatic institutions: Embassies of Ukraine in Finland and Iceland (concurrently); Embassy of Iceland in Poland (concurrently in Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria); Honorary Consulate of Iceland in Kyiv (currently not functioning).

Italian Republic

Establishment of diplomatic relations: January 29, 1992.

Diplomatic missions: Embassy of Ukraine in the Italian Republic; Embassy of the Italian Republic in Ukraine.

Political dialogue:

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, six visits of the President of Ukraine to Italy have taken place: in May 1995, November 2002, October 2008, November 2015, February 2020 and May 2023. The President of Italy visited Ukraine in 1996 (state visit) and 1999 (working visit).

Recent bilateral contacts:

January 12, 2023 – Minister of Economic Development of Italy Adolfo Urso visited Ukraine.

January 20, 2023 – telephone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani.

February 9, 2023 - a brief meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the European Council (Brussels).

February 18, 2023 - a brief meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani on the sidelines of the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven within the framework of the Munich Security Conference.

February 21, 2023 –Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Ukraine.

March 23, 2023 – online meeting between President of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk and President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic Lorenzo Fontana.

March 29, 2023 - telephone conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Giorgia Meloni.

April 11, 2023 – telephone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani.

April 11, 2023 - VTC between Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Minister of Economic Development of Italy Adolfo Urso.

April 11, 2023 – telephone conversation between Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko and Minister of Internal Affairs of Italy Matteo Piantedosi.

April 26-27, 2023 –Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal visited Italy, Bilateral Conference on the Restoration of Ukraine.

April 26, 2023 –Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba visited Italy.

April 26, 2023 – telephone conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni

May 8, 2023 – telephone conversation between Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov and Minister of Defense of Italy Guido Crosetto.

May 13, 2023 - President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Italian Republic.

May 20, 2023 - bilateral meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the Group of Seven Summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

Existing bilateral high-level instruments:

Ukrainian-Italian Council for Economic, Industrial and Financial Cooperation (the last meeting took place on December 16, 2020); Joint Ukrainian-Italian Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation; Mixed Ukrainian-Italian Commission on International Road Passenger and Freight Transportation.

Legal framework:

Number of valid documents: 38

Key documents:

Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Ukraine and the Italian Republic (January 29, 1992).

Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Italian Republic (May 3, 1995).

Consular Convention between Ukraine and the Italian Republic (December 23, 2003);

Convention between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Italian

Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation of Income and Capital and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion (26 February 1997).

Air Services Agreement (2 May 1995).

Agreement on Mutual Protection of Classified Information (6 June 2001).

Agreement on Technical Cooperation (13 March 2003).

Agreement on military-technical cooperation (July 24, 2007).

Agreement on merchant shipping (February 21, 2012).

Agreement on mutual recognition and exchange of drivers licenses (July 20, 2021).

Agreement on police cooperation (June 10, 2021, at ratification).

Trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and Italy

Key indicators of bilateral trade:

Italy is the seventh trade partner of Ukraine among the countries of the world in terms of the volume of goods trade (after China, Poland, the Russian Federation, Germany, Turkey, Belarus);
In terms of the volume of Ukraine's trade with EU countries, Italy is in third place (after Poland and Germany);
Italy is the fourth destination in the world for Ukrainian export (after China, Poland and Turkey);
Italy is the second destination in Europe for Ukrainian export (Ukraine exports more only to Poland).

(* according to preliminary data of the State Customs Service of Ukraine for the aggregate results of 2021-2022)

Statistical review of trade and economic relations:

For the period January-February 2023, the volume of trade in goods between Ukraine and Italy amounted to 589 million euros, which is 35% less than the previous year. Export volumes of Ukrainian goods to Italy amounted to 367 million euros and decreased by 42%, import volumes decreased by 18% and amounted to 222 million euros. The positive balance for Ukraine during this period amounted to 145 million euros.

Dynamics of trade between Ukraine and Italy in 2014-2023

	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	Jan.-Feb. 2023
	USD million								million euros
Turnover	3976,9	2956,0	3250,8	4073,2	4610,4	4493,6	4057,6	6144,8	3266,2	589
Export	2468,3	1979,8	1929,6	2469,8	2628,3	2418,9	1928,9	3469,3	1942,5	367
Import	1508,6	976,1	1321,2	1603,4	1982,0	2074,7	2128,7	2675,5	1323,7	222
Balance	+959,7	+1003,7	+608,4	+866,5	+646,3	+344,2	-199,8	+794,8	+618,8	+145

Main products of Ukrainian exports to Italy in 2022

№	Goods	million euros	% of exports to Italy
1	Agricultural, forestry and fishing products	586,2	30,2%
2	Non-precious metals and metal products (excluding machinery and equipment)	514,9	26,5%
3	Food, beverages and tobacco products	458,0	23,6%
4	Wood and wood products; paper and printing	124,9	6,4 %
5	Textiles, clothing, leather and accessories	79,5	4,1%
6	Products of mineral extraction from quarries and mines	54,4	2,8%
7	Other	124,3	6,4%

Main goods imported to Ukraine from Italy in 2022

№	Goods	million euros	% of imports from Italy
1	Machinery and equipment	271,3	20,5%
2	Food, beverages and tobacco products	259,9	19,6%
3	Textiles, clothing, leather and accessories	143,7	10,9%
4	Organic chemical compounds	132,3	10,0%
5	Electrical devices	104,7	7,9%
6	Non-precious metals and metal products (excluding machinery and equipment)	92,5	7,0%
7	Other	318,9	24,1%

Prospects for increasing Ukrainian export and development of trade and economic cooperation

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Ukraine is the 58th destination for Italian exports and the 48th partner-supplier of products to Italy.

The volume of direct investments of the Italian Republic abroad (as of 4th quarter of 2022) is 603 732 million euros, and the volume of direct foreign investment in Italy is 554 058 million euros.

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:

Italy regularly hosts events aimed to promote Ukrainian language and culture, as well as present Ukrainian cultural heritage in the Italian cultural space.

Cultural events such as: art exhibitions, photo exhibitions of contemporary Ukrainian artists, thematic conferences, concert tours of art groups, performances by popular musicians, fashion shows of Ukrainian designers regularly held in Italy.

Ukraine is regularly presented at the Venice Biennale and Venice International Film Festival, the exhibition of contemporary art "Roma Arte in Nuvola", where a wide audience could discover the uniqueness of the masterpieces of creative studios of Ukraine.

Cooperation in the field of science:

Ukrainian-Italian cooperation in the field of science and education is aimed at establishing cooperation between higher educational institutions and preparing specialized and interdepartmental agreements.

In particular, bilateral documents on cooperation were signed between: the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Academy dei Linchei; Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and the University of Florence; between the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the National Council for Research of Italy;

National Technical University of Ukraine Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and the Consortium of Universities of Virtual Learning Nettuno, the Polytechnic University of Milan and others.

In addition, over the last period, contacts and cooperation have been established between:

· Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and La Sapienza University of Rome;

· the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the National Research Council of the Italian Republic (Institute of Energy and Interphase of Genoa);

· Odesa State Environmental University and National Consortium for Marine Sciences (CoNISMa);

· the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (National Historical and Archaeological Reserve "Olbia" — a complex of monuments of the famous ancient city-state of Olbia in the Mykolaiv region);

· the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (National Historical and Archaeological Reserve "Olbia" in the Mykolaiv region) and the Main Archaeological Department of the Emilia-Romagna region (Archaeological Museum of Ferrara).

Ukrainian Community:

The Ukrainian community in Italy is one of the largest ethnic groups in the country. The majority of Ukrainian citizens in Italy are labor migrants who have a work permit in the state.

The largest population of Ukrainians lives in Rome, Naples, Milan, on Sicily and Sardinia.

The number of people granted temporary protection in Italy due to the large-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine exceeds 173 thousand.

Currently, more than 50 Ukrainian associations (NGO) functioning in Italy. Major part of them engaged in a cultural area with the aim promote Ukraine in international society.

Diplomatic mission:

Embassy of Ukraine to Italian Republic: https://italy.mfa.gov.ua/

Latvia

1. Recognition of Ukraine: December 4, 1991.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: February 12, 1992.

3. Political relations

Political dialogue between Ukraine and the Republic of Latvia is traditionally active.

President Egils Levits, Speaker (o the 13th Saeima) Ināra Mūrniece, Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs were among the first foreign high-ranking officials to visit Ukraine and Kyiv since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion on February 24, 2022. During 2022, a total of 9 events took place at the highest and high political levels.

In 2023, the following events took place: a visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs to Ukraine as part of a delegation of seven foreign ministers of the Baltic and Northern European countries (April 28, 2023), a visit of Prime Minister of Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš (March 16, 2023), a meeting of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Egils Levits of Latvia during President Egils Levits’ visit to Ukraine to participate in the "United for Justice" conference in Lviv (March 3, 2023), a visit to Latvia by Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratyuk (February 19-22, 2023), a visit to Ukraine by a delegation of the Saeima led by Speaker Edvards Smiltēns (January 12-15, 2023).

Within the framework of bilateral relations, the Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Latvian Commission on Economic, Industrial, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation operates, the last meeting of which was held in Riga on March 21-24, 2023. In the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine there is a group on interparliamentary relations with the Republic of Latvia, which is co-chaired by Taras Tarasenko (Faction of the political party "Servant of the People") and Solomiya Bobrovska (Faction of the political party "Voice"), and which consists of 9 deputies. The Parliament (Saeima) of Latvia also has a group for promoting inter-parliamentary relations, chaired by Janis Skrastins (New Unity party) and consisting of 35 deputies.

To promote bilateral relations, there is Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Latvian Commission on Economic, Industrial, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, whose last meeting was held in Riga on March 21-24, 2023. In the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine there is a Group on Interparliamentary Cooperation with the Republic of Latvia, which is co-chaired by Taras Tarasenko (Faction of the political party "Servant of the People") and Solomiya Bobrovska (Faction of the political party "Holos"), consisting of 9 deputies. The Parliament (Saeima) of Latvia has a Group for Promoting Cooperation with the Parliament of Ukraine, chaired by Jānis Skrastiņš (New Unity party), consisting of 35 deputies.

4. Support and solidarity of Latvia and Latvians

Since the beginning of the Russian aggression in 2014, Latvia has actively supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders, our fight against the illegal occupation of Crimea, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

After the start of the full-scale Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, the assistance to Latvia increased: M109A5 howitzers, helicopters, anti-tank guns, Stinger MANPADS, the first of which arrived in Ukraine on February 23, 2022, anti-tank grenade launchers, small arms, ammunition, UAVs, helmets, body armor, tactical equipment, military dry rations and first aid kits. By the percentage of national GDP spent on aid to Ukraine, which has already reached 1.3%, Latvia regularly holds the first positions among our Western partners. In addition, the country accepts military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for training and education.

The Saeima of Latvia adopted a number of statements in support of Ukraine, among which the most important are: Statement on resolute condemnation of military aggression and large-scale invasion of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, the participation of Belarus in the invasion, the gross violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine (February 24, 2022); Statement recognizing the actions of the armed forces of the Russian Federation in Ukraine as genocide of the Ukrainian people (April 21, 2022). Statement recognizing the actions of the Russian Federation in Ukraine as terrorism, and the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism (August 11, 2022); Statement supporting the investigation of war crimes and crimes against humanity of the Russian Federation in Ukraine by the International Criminal Court, as well as the creation of a specialized international tribunal (in addition to the ICC) for the crime of aggression against Ukraine (December 8, 2022).

Latvia consistently and proactively supports Ukraine within the framework of all the international legal formats and initiatives regarding the future prosecution of the Russian Federation as a state, as well as its individual institutions, organizations, and individuals, for the aggression against Ukraine and war crimes and crimes against humanity. In particular, on March 8, 2022, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Irina Venediktova and of Latvia Juris Stukans signed a memorandum on cooperation of the countries in the criminal investigation of crimes related to armed conflicts. On March 17, 2022, the State Security Service of Latvia initiated criminal proceedings under three articles of the Criminal Code of Latvia for the crimes against humanity, crimes against peace and war crimes by the armed forces of the Russian Federation. On May 31, 2022, in The Hague, Latvia joined the Joint Investigative Group for the investigation of serious international crimes in Ukraine. On July 21, 2022, Latvia submitted a declaration to the International Court of Justice to take part as a third party in the case "Accusations of Genocide in accordance with the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide" (Ukraine v. Russian Federation), on August 9, 2022 Latvia submitted a declaration to the ECHR to take part as a third party in the case "Ukraine v. Russian Federation". Latvia also co-sponsored the UN General Assembly Resolution Res. L.6/2022 on the compensations and reparations in connection with the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (November 16, 2022).

Latvia actively supports Ukraine on its way to the EU. On May 8, 2021, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and President of Latvia Egils Levits, signed the Joint Declaration on the European perspective of Ukraine. On March 1, 2022, the Government of Latvia approved a national position on supporting Ukraine's membership in the European Union and granting Ukraine candidate status, as well as called on other EU member states to do the same immediately. On March 3, 2022, the Saeima of Latvia unanimously adopted a statement in support of granting Ukraine the status of a candidate country in the EU, a call to European institutions to work on granting Ukraine this status as soon as possible, and an invitation to all EU member states to support Ukraine in its efforts to become a full member and support Ukraine's status as a candidate for EU membership.

Similarly, Latvia consistently supports Ukraine's full membership in NATO. On September 30, 2022, after Ukraine officially applied to join NATO, Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs joined his Lithuanian and Estonian colleagues in declaring the full support of the Baltic countries for Ukraine's full accession to NATO as soon as possible. On March 3, 2023, as part of his visit to Ukraine to participate in the "United for Justice" conference in Lviv, President of Latvia Egils Levits signed with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy a bilateral Declaration on Latvia's support for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. On June 1, 2023, the Saeima of Latvia adopted a Statement of support for Ukraine at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, calling for Ukraine to be officially invited to NATO during the event.

5. Humanitarian and financial aid

Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine, the Government of Latvia, Latvian local self-government and public organizations have been actively providing the much-needed humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

The Government of Latvia has provided humanitarian aid worth about 8 million euros, which includes ambulances, medical equipment and medicines, patrol cars, buses and generators, personal protective equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as means, allocated by the Government from the country's material reserve, to overcome the consequences of the terrorist attack on the Kakhovka HPP, carried out by the Russian occupying forces.

Latvian municipalities have provided assistance of about 3 million euros, including 700,000 euros from the Riga City Council for the purchase of diesel generators and heat guns for the needs of the city of Kyiv, special transport and equipment for the emergency and repair teams of MKP "Mykolaivvodokanal", 21 Mercedes Benz Citaro passenger city bus loaded with 130 tons of humanitarian aid from the city of Riga to the city of Kyiv, essential goods for the population of the regions of Ukraine affected by the explosion of the Kakhovka HPP dam, vehicles from the Latvian cities of Valka, Valmiera, Ogre, humanitarian aid cargoes and vehicles from the cities of Ventspils, Liepaja, Ogre, Valmiera, Preili, Bauska, Aizkraukle.

Latvian NGOs have collected monetary and technical assistance worth about 42 million euros. 90 Latvian societies and foundations are involved in the assistance. The largest donors are "Ziedot.lv" (22 million euros), "Entrepreneurs for Peace" fund (5.5 million), "Tavi Draugi" (5 million), "Twitter Convoy"/Association "Agendum" (4 million euros), "TEV" association (4 million), Confederation of Ukrainian Societies in Latvia "VICHE" (1 million euros), Association of Samaritans of Latvia (850,000 euros), " Viegli palīdzēt" (790,000 euros ). 21 million of aid was provided directly to the Armed Forces, including off-road vehicles and pickup trucks, ATVs, diesel fuel, generators, camouflage nets, tactical food rations, small arms and cartridges, body armor, military uniforms, helmets, night vision goggles, thermal imaging cameras, Starlink stations , satellite phones, walkie-talkies, drones. Humanitarian and medical aid for the Armed Forces amounted to 14.6 million euros, including food and hygiene products, medicines, dressing materials, small generators, charging stations, etc.

In the conditions of the unprovoked illegal Russian war against Ukraine, Latvia provided asylum to more than 47,000 temporarily displaced persons from our state, including long-term national visas or residence permits with the right to work, primary support, accommodation and food services, basic necessities, state medical services .

Latvia also accepts Ukrainian servicemen for treatment and rehabilitation, organizes rest and socialization in summer camps for children who were forced to seek temporary refuge in the country from the Russian war.

6. Trade and economic relations

During 2022, despite the negative effects of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as well as logistical obstacles, caused primarily by the loss of rail connections between Ukraine and Latvia through Russia’s aggression accessory Belarus, the countries generally managed to maintain the dynamics of mutual trade in goods.

In January-February 2022, Ukrainian-Latvian trade indicators continued growing, just as in 2021 after a decrease in 2020 against the background of the pandemic crisis. At the same time, since March 2022, there has been a change in the structure of bilateral trade with a decrease in Ukraine’s exports to Latvia, with a simultaneous increase in the imports of Latvian goods to Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine data, in January-September 2022, the volume of trade in goods between Ukraine and Latvia amounted to 354.6 million euros. The export of goods amounted to 203.6 million dollars (93% of the indicators of the same period in 2021); the import of goods - 151.2 million dollars (103% of the indicators of the same period in 2021). The trade balance is positive for Ukraine - 52.4 million dollars.

The structure of trade in goods between Ukraine and Latvia is dominated by the supply of agricultural, chemical and pharmaceutical products.

There is an office of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) in Ukraine.

Currently, 1,073 enterprises with investments of Ukrainian origin are registered in Latvia. Ukraine ranks 16th in Latvia by the volume of investments by residents of Ukraine in the fixed capital of Latvian entities (107,1 million euros).

7. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation

Cultural cooperation is regulated by such bilateral documents as the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Latvia on cooperation in the field of education, science and culture (1995), the Agreement on cooperation in the field of culture between the Ministry of Culture and Arts of Ukraine and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia (2002).

In 2022, as part of the Ukrainian Bookshelf project under the patronage of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, the Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia opened shelves with Ukrainian literature in the National Library of Latvia and the Riga Central Library. In May 2023, the "Ukrainian Bookshelf" was opened in the Central Library of the city of Ogre. Also, the Academic Library of the University of Latvia has a Ukrainian information center, with Ukrainian literature of various genres for adults and children.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of the territory of Ukraine in February 2022, cooperation with Latvia in the field of culture has been focused on: 1) supporting Ukrainian cultural figures who were forced to leave Ukraine due to the war and promoting the continuation of their cultural activities; 2) support of Ukrainian temporarily displaced persons staying in Latvia, meeting their cultural needs; 3) integration of Ukrainian citizens into the Latvian environment, in particular by studying the Latvian language, culture, and traditions; 4) popularization of Ukrainian culture in Latvia; 5) conducting cultural and artistic events in support of Ukraine.

An important achievement of cooperation between Ukraine and Latvia in the field of culture is the launchin of "Creative scholarship program for citizens of Ukraine" with the aim of providing support to creative persons in the field of culture, within the framework of which a creative citizen of Ukraine has the opportunity to receive a one-time scholarship for creative work for a period of 3 months (600 euros/month).

On June 1, 2023, the Government of Latvia supported the Ministry of Culture's proposal to allocate 2,503,239 euros to the Society Integration Fund to provide cultural orientation courses and integration activities for citizens of Ukraine.

On a regular basis, events aimed at popularizing Ukrainian culture, art, customs and traditions are held on the occasion of state-level commemorative dates and anniversaries. Among the most significant cultural events held within the framework of cultural cooperation are: 1) the tour of the National Chamber Ensemble of Ukraine "Kyiv Soloists" (April 2022), 2) the performance of the Kyiv Academic Theater of Drama and Comedy on the left bank of the Dnieper (April-June 2022) ); 3) a concert by the famous Ukrainian composer Valentin Sylvestrov (December 2022), 4) an exhibition of paintings by the famous Ukrainian artist Ivan Marchuk (January 2023); 5) an exhibition of works by students of Mykhailo Boychuk Kyiv State Academy of Decorative and Applied Arts and Design "Roots of the Ukrainian Soul" (February 2023).

An important direction is also the implementation of projects for the introduction of Ukrainian language audio guides in the leading museums of Latvia, such as the National Art Museum of Latvia.

Active cooperation between Ukraine and Latvia is carried out in the field of preservation of cultural heritage in the conditions of war. As an example of such cooperation, the work of Latvian experts in Ukraine, who conducted three-dimensional scanning of cultural heritage sites in Ukraine, recorded damage and received data for planning the strengthening and restoration of cultural monuments damaged during the war, while transferring experience and training to Ukrainian specialists.

8. Scientific and educational cooperation

Scientific and educational cooperation s regulated by the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Latvia on cooperation in the field of education, science, youth and sports (September 29, 2017), the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Latvia on cooperation in the field of education, science and culture (November 21, 1995)

After the beginning of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, Latvia provided maximum assistance to Ukrainian students and young scientists to continue their studies or start research in higher educational institutions or scientific institutions of Latvia.

In particular, Ukrainian students have the right to enter any university in Latvia or to transfer to specialized Latvian educational facilities for the same course as in they were in back in Ukraine, on the basis of the final document with grades issued in Ukraine. Public and a number of private universities in Latvia offered Ukrainian students free tuitions or discounts on studies. At the same time, in the case of full-time studies, citizens of Ukraine can apply for a state scholarship.

Ukrainian scientists who have continued their research in universities or scientific institutions of Latvia are granted a research scholarship by the state to carry out scientific or academic work.

9. Contractual and legal basis

The legal base of Ukraine and Latvia consists of 92 documents, of which 5 are international agreements, 28 intergovernmental agreement, 3 interparliamentary agreements and 56 are interagency documents.

The basis for a successful development of relations is the Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Latvia signed in 1995.

Work continues on the development of the contractual and legal basis of bilateral relations.

10. Ukrainian community

About 42,000 ethnic Ukrainians live on the territory of Latvia - scientists, doctors, entrepreneurs, athletes. The largest number of ethnic Ukrainians lives in the cities of Riga and Jurmala.

There are Ukrainian public organizations active in the country, which actively help Ukraine: Confederation of Ukrainians of Latvia "VICHE" (unites 5 organizations: "Sich", Ukrainian cultural center "Dzherelo", Center for Ukrainian Studies, society of Ukrainian youth of Latvia "Vector - Europe" and "Ukrainian-Latvian Friendship" society), Congress of Ukrainians of Latvia, Society of Support for Ukraine, Cultural Center "Latvia-Ukraine", Ventspils Ukrainian Cultural Society "Kobzar", Center of Ukrainian Culture "Mriya".

There is a Riga Ukrainian Secondary School, founded in 1991 (financed from the Latvian state budget), which is the only educational institution in the Baltic States where Ukrainian language and literature are taught at a professional level.

On the basis of the Academic Library of the University of Latvia in Riga operates the Ukrainian Information Center, which cares for the preservation of Ukrainian cultural heritage and promotes its popularization in Latvia.

Lithuania

Political relations and multidimensional partnership between Ukraine and the Republic of Lithuania

The political dialogue between Ukraine and the Republic of Lithuania has been traditionally active since the establishment of diplomatic relations on December 12, 1991. On May 12, 2008, Ukraine and the Republic of Lithuania established a strategic partnership. Regular result-oriented contacts at the highest and high level these days play a decisive role in coordinating interstate cooperation to defeat the common enemy.

President Gitanas Nausėda, Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Defense Arvydas Anušauskas were among the first foreign high-ranking officials to visit Ukraine and the city of Kyiv since the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion on February 24, 2022.

Lithuanian parliamentarians, including those in the European Parliament, were initiators of the creation and are active participants today of the global inter-parliamentary network in support for Ukraine "United for Ukraine/U4U".

The deepening of political interaction and interagency cooperation is being promoted by the following institutional mechanisms:

Lublin Triangle regional alliance of Ukraine, the Republic of Lithuania, and the Republic of Poland.
Interparliamentary Assembly of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the Sejm and the Senate of the Republic of Poland.
Assembly of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.
Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Lithuanian Commission on Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation.

Support and solidarity of Lithuania and Lithuanians

Lithuania took an active position in supporting Ukraine's European choice during the Revolution of Dignity in 2013-2014, strongly condemned the occupation and attempted illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, russian military aggression against Ukraine, the blockade of the Black and Azov Seas in 2014.

The Lithuanian side was one of the first to support the establishment of the "International Crimean Platform" in 2021, a Ukrainian initiative on the de-occupation of Crimea.

Lithuania extended a helping hand to Ukrainians when they needed it the most. Since the beginning of the full-scale war of the russian federation Lithuania’s political support and multifaceted assistance are unique. “Military, political, economic, and humanitarian assistance – there is no area in which Ukraine would not feel Lithuania’s sincerity and determination,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address at the international conference on Ukraine hosted by Vytautas Magnus University on February 24, 2023.

Lithuania provided home to more than 77 thousand Ukrainians, mostly women and children, who fled the war. Creating conditions for employment, medical care, education, including in Ukrainian was an important effort for Ukrainians to feel like welcome guests rather than war refugees in Lithuania.

The first cultural and educational space in the EU, the Ukrainian Centre, was opened in Vilnius on June 11, 2022 at the initiative and under the patronage of the First Lady of Ukraine Mrs. Olena Zelenska and the First Lady of Lithuania Mrs. Diana Nausėdienė. During the first year of its operation, the Centre hosted more than 1700 events for adults and children from Ukraine who have found temporary home in Lithuania. Every day, the Ukrainian Centre hosts various cultural events, training courses, English, Lithuanian and Ukrainian conversation clubs, creative workshops, sports sections and provides ongoing psychological assistance by qualified specialists. More than 20,000 people have visited the institution, which is a record number even among visitors to Lithuanian cultural and educational institutions. With the support of the First Lady of Lithuania, the Ukrainian Centre has implemented two projects of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska - "Ukrainian Bookshelf" and "Books without Borders" - that allow Ukrainian citizens to keep in touch with their homeland. Under the Books Without Borders project, in coordination with the Ukrainian Book Institute, more than 3,000 books for children of all ages were brought to Lithuania. According to the concept of the Ukrainian Centre's development, in the long term, the Centre will serve as a platform for enhancing cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Ukraine and Lithuania, as well as an institution competent to provide expert assistance to Ukraine on a wide range of issues, including Ukraine's preparation for EU membership.

The resolve of the Lithuanian people to support Ukraine is unprecedented – 70 % of the population have donated material goods and money to Ukraine. In 2022, significant sums were collected in record time for the first "people's" drone "Bayraktar" (over 5.95 million euros in 3 days in May), marine drones (1.5 million euros in August), in 2023 year - for military radars (14 million euros in February).

Lithuania’s total support for Ukraine, including by non-governmental organizations, businesses, and individuals, is approaching 1.5 per cent of GDP.

Mass rallies of support for Ukraine which have been held on Cathedral Square in Vilnius every Monday since February 22, 2022, are yet another sign of unity and a unique solidarity of Lithuanian brothers and sisters with Ukrainians.

Since the beginning of the war, Lithuania promptly provided alternative routes for the export of Ukrainian grain. It was one of the first countries to support the humanitarian initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "Grain from Ukraine". Now Lithuania strongly supports the Peace Formula of the Head of the Ukrainian State, actively cooperating on two tracks - "Restoration of Justice" and "Energy security".

In 2022, Lithuania was the leader among EU member states in providing generators and transformers for the restoration of the Ukrainian energy sector after russian bombardments of civilian infrastructure. After russian terrorists blew up the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, Lithuania was one of the first to decide to provide financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

A number of important projects for the reconstruction of Ukraine are being carried out today with the funds of the Government of Lithuania.

From the very beginning of the full-scale war, Lithuania has taken a firm position on the need for the EU's strictest sanctions track against Russia. In 2022, Lithuania was a leader in the EU in introducing powerful national sanctions against the russian federation - it was the first to stop the import of russian oil and gas, promptly banned the broadcasting of russian TV channels, and stopped issuing visas to citizens of the aggressor country. Currently, Lithuania is actively advocating the extension of sanctions on russian nuclear energy (Rosatom), dual-purpose goods, diamonds, calling on the need to use russia’s frozen assets to rebuild Ukraine.

Lithuania was also the first EU member state to decide to expel the russian ambassador (April 4, 2022).

In April 2022, Lithuania was among the promoters of the establishment of a Joint Investigation Team to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of Ukraine.

Lithuania co-authored/supported all the Ukraine-related resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the European Parliament, including on the establishment the Special Tribunal to prosecute russia for the crime of aggression, and actively participates in the activities of the Core group.

Since February 24, 2022, the Seimas of Lithuania has adopted more than 10 resolutions in support for Ukraine and condemnation of the russian federation. On May 10, 2022, the Seimas was the first foreign parliament to recognize russia as a state sponsor and perpetrator of acts of terrorism (by the same resolution, the actions of the russian federation in Ukraine were recognized as genocide Ukrainian people).

Lithuania is a faithful ally and a reliable partner of Ukraine on its way to European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

It was one of the first member states of the European Union to ratify the Association agreement between Ukraine and the EU under a shortened procedure. Lithuania became the first EU member state with which Ukraine signed the "Joint Declaration on the European Perspective of Ukraine" (March 18, 2021). Later on, Lithuania was one of the first to advocate for granting Ukraine the status of a candidate country for EU membership and contributed to this at the expert level. On March 10, 2022, the Seimas of Lithuania adopted the resolution “On the granting of EU candidate status to Ukraine and Ukraine’s full membership of the European Union”.

At the European Council meeting on June 23, 2022, Lithuania voted to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate country for EU membership. Today Lithuania supports the launch, by the end of 2023, of pre-accession negotiations on EU membership of Ukraine. Vilnius’ position is that not only Ukraine needs Europe, but Europe also needs Ukraine, with its vibrant energy and determination to achieve ultimate goals.

Support for the prospect of Ukraine becoming a member of the EU and NATO as soon as conditions permit is stated in the Joint Declaration of the Presidents of Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland following the second Summit of the Lublin Triangle in Lviv on January 11, 2023.

Lithuania advocates Ukraine's practical rapprochement with the Alliance, stressing the critical importance of Ukraine's membership in NATO as soon as possible for the sake of the security of the transatlantic space. The Seimas’ resolution of April 6, 2023, affirms, among the key goals of Lithuania at the Vilnius NATO Summit: “2. to give full support to Ukraine through practical measures, including NATO’s political support, recognizing the necessity to invite Ukraine to join NATO at the NATO Summit to be held in Vilnius (by signing accession protocols and initiating the ratification process when the conditions are right), as a strategic solution by NATO to achieve peace in Ukraine and Europe; to seek an increasingly deeper integration of Ukraine into NATO’s structures and processes prior to Ukraine's accession to NATO”.

Concerning Ukraine's counteraction to russian full-scale aggression, Lithuania's position is resolute: Ukraine is struggling for freedom, independence and democratic future in Europe; all modern weapons including combat aircraft and long-range missiles must be delivered on time and in the necessary quantity to Ukraine; nobody has the right to tell Ukraine that it has to make “territorial or other concessions” to the aggressor to achieve peace; a mere cease-fire and appeasement called "peace" will eventually encourage the russian regime to continue its military expansion; lasting peace in Europe requires Ukraine’s victory on the battlefield and the quickest possible accountability of russian criminals; Lithuania will continue providing support until victory; victory can only be achieved through the joint efforts of all democracies.

As a sign of recognition by Lithuania of the role of Ukraine’s leadership and honoring the feat of the entire Ukrainian people in the struggle for independence, freedom and democracy the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania awarded the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the Freedom Prize of the Republic of Lithuania (in the form of a bronze statuette) and the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk with the Star of Alexandras Stulginskis (award ceremonies were held on January 13 and June 2, 2023, respectively).

By Decree No. 30/2023 of January 24, 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, awarded the city of Vilnius the honorary title of "City-savior" for the Lithuanian capital's humanism, mercy and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, comprehensive assistance to citizens of Ukraine who were forced to leave the Motherland as a result of russian federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine. This high distinction is another proof of our deep gratitude and sincere respect for Lithuania and Lithuanians.

The multidimensional cooperation of Ukraine and Lithuania, close people-to-people contacts are an exemplary and important contribution to peaceful life, freedom, democracy, and prosperity in our common European home.

Portugal

1. Recognition of Ukraine: January 7, 1992.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: January 27, 1992.

3. Political dialogue

Relations between Ukraine and the Portuguese Republic are characterized by a high level of political dialogue, cooperation and trust. Portugal actively supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, its European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. In June 2022, Portugal supported the decision of the Council of the EU to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine.

Since Russia's full-scale military aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, an active bilateral political dialogue has been ongoing. In particular, in 2022 there were two official visits to Ukraine - of the Prime Minister of Portugal A. Costa (May 21) and of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal J. Cravinho (August 24), as well as the visit of the First Lady of Ukraine O. Zelenska to Portugal in order to participate in the international technological conference Web Summit (November 01-04), during which she met with the President of Portugal M. de Sousa and the Prime Minister of Portugal A. Costa.

In addition, in 2023 the following events took place:

meeting between the First Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yu. Svyrydenko and the President of Portugal M. de Sousa on the sidelines of the events on the occasion of the inauguration of the newly elected President of Brazil (January 01);
telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of Portugal A. Costa (January 9);
visit of the Minister of National Defence of Portugal H. Carreiras to Ukraine (February 24);
meeting of Kyiv Mayor V. Klychko with Lisbon Mayor C. Moedas (April 4);
telephone conversations between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal J. Cravinho (April 21 and 22);
meeting between the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of Portugal A. Costa on the sidelines of the summit of the European Political Community in Moldova (June 1);
telephone conversation between First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yu. Svyrydenko and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal J. Cravinho (June 19).

Furthermore, on May 2-3, 2023, the first-ever official visit of the Chairman of the Assembly of the Republic A.S. Silva to Ukraine took place. On May 19-21, 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba paid a working visit to Portugal.

4. Trade and economic relations

According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the results of 2022 demonstrate a certain slowdown in bilateral trade due to the impact of Russia's war against Ukraine. Foreign trade turnover (2022) amounted to $204.6 million (↓54.6%), Ukrainian exports to Portugal decreased by 59.5% and amounted to $140.5 million (compared to $359.7 million in 2021), and Ukrainian imports from Portugal decreased by 38.6% and amounted to $64.1 million (compared to $35.6 million for 2021). The positive balance for Ukraine amounted to $76.4 million.

Trade in goods

In 2022, bilateral trade amounted to $196.7 million and decreased by 54.3% compared to 2021, while the export of goods from Ukraine to Portugal amounted to $135.9 million and decreased by 60.2%, the import of Portuguese goods to Ukraine amounted to $60.8 million and decreased by 31.5%. The positive balance for Ukraine during this period amounted to $75.0 million.

The main articles of Ukrainian commodity exports to Portugal traditionally remain agricultural products, in particular cereals - 57.5% of total exports (↓48.0%), ferrous metals - 12.1% (↓70.3%), electric machines - 6.1% (↓5.7%), seeds and fruits of oil plants - 5.8% (↓87.6%), furniture - 4.5% (↑40.9%), wood and wood products - 3.1% (↑7.8%).

Commodity structure of imports from Portugal: electrical machines - 13.4% (↓35.4%), paper and cardboard - 8.1% (↓5.6%), tobacco and tobacco substitutes - 6.7% (previously not supplied), alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages - 6.1% (↓39.6%), nuclear reactors, boilers, machines - 5.7% (↓64.3%).

Trade in services

In 2022, the volume of trade in services amounted to $9.6 million and decreased by 58.1% compared to 2022, while the export of services from Ukraine to Portugal decreased by 18.2% and amounted to $6.3 million. Imports decreased by 78.3% and amounted to $3.3 million. The positive balance for Ukraine during this period was $3.0 million.

The structure of Ukrainian exports of services: services in the field of telecommunications, computer and information services - 37.6% (↑22.1%), services for the processing of material resources - 26.7% (↓19.4%), transport services - 19.0% (↓47.4%), travel-related services – 5.1% (↑24.7%).

The structure of imports of services from Portugal: transport services – 39.3% (↓87.5%), royalties and other services related to the use of intellectual property, business services – 30.9%; (↑in 2.3 years), state and government services – 5.4% (↓81.4%), services in the field of telecommunications, computer and information services – 10.0% (↓65.6%).

5. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Ukraine and Portugal is based on the Agreement between Ukraine and Portugal on cooperation in the fields of education, culture, science, technology, youth, sports and mass media dated December 5, 2001, as well as a number of protocols and agreements concluded between higher education institutions of the countries.

The existing regulatory and legal framework gives an opportunity for the effective and comprehensive development of the bilateral cultural and humanitarian cooperation, which contributes to the active representation of the traditions, history and cultural heritage of Ukraine in Portugal. The Portuguese audience shows significant interest in cultural and artistic events held by the Embassy of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian community plays an important role in popularizing Ukrainian culture and history in Portugal.

On March 3, 2017, the Assembly of the Republic adopted two votes recognizing Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide of Ukrainian people and honouring victims of this tragedy.

6. Interparliamentary cooperation

The deputy group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the inter-parliamentary relations with the Republic of Portugal was created on February 10, 2020. The head of the group is I. Vasiliev. The list of its members can be found at: http://w1.c1.rada.gov.ua/pls/mpz2/organizations.dep_group_members?grp=264

According to the results of the snap parliamentary elections in Portugal, which took place on January 30, 2022, the Portugal-Ukraine Friendship Group in the Assembly of the Republic was created on November 30, 2022. Its head is Diogo Leão.

Since the beginning of the Russian Federation's full-scale military aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, an active dialogue has been ongoing both at the level of the leadership of two parliaments and parliament’s committees, in particular on foreign affairs and the EU, and groups of friendship.

The Assembly of the Republic has adopted a number of non-legislative documents in support of Ukraine.

On February 24, 2023, the Assembly of the Republic held minute’s silence for those who died in Russia’s war against Ukraine as well as the colloquium on "Ukraine. 365 days later".

On March 1, 2023, the photo exhibition of Ukrainian photographer Max Levin, killed by Russian aggressors, was inaugurated in the Assembly of the Republic.

7. Existing high-level bilateral bodies

Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Portuguese Commission on Economic Cooperation (the first meeting was held on April 3, 2009 in Kyiv, the second on June 20, 2018 in Lisbon).

8. Contractual and legal basis

The contractual and legal basis of Ukrainian-Portuguese relations consists of 64 bilateral documents, among which 16 are at the intergovernmental level, the rest are at the intergovernmental and interagency levels. The key documents are:

Agreement on friendship and cooperation between Ukraine and the Portuguese Republic (October 25, 2000);
Agreement between Ukraine and Portugal on promotion and mutual protection of investments (October 25, 2000);
Convention on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion Regarding Taxes on Income and on Capital between Ukraine and Portugal (February 9, 2000);
Agreement on social security between Ukraine and the Portuguese Republic (September 7, 2009);
Agreement between Ukraine and the Portuguese Republic on mutual protection of information with limited access (May 22, 2017);
Agreement between Ukraine and the Portuguese Republic on economic cooperation (December 17, 2017);
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Portuguese Republic regarding financial support in the context of the Russian Federation’s aggression to Ukraine (May 21, 2022).

9. Ukrainian community

According to official statistical data for 2021, there are 698,887 officially registered foreign citizens living in Portugal, among whom citizens of Ukraine occupy the seventh place with 27,195 or 3.9% of the total.

Ukrainian citizens live throughout Portugal, both in cities and in rural areas, with a clear concentration in the main industrial centres of the country and large cities (the capital Lisbon, Cascais, Sintra, Setúbal, Santarem, Coimbra, etc.), in the north (Porto, Viseu, Aveiro, Viana do Castelo, etc.) and the south (Faro, Albufeira, Portimão, Lagoa, Lagos). A small number of Ukrainians lives in the autonomous regions of Portugal - the Azores and the island of Madeira.

Currently, there are 15 Ukrainian assosiations in Portugal, in particular, the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal (Associação dos Ukranianos em Portugal) - a member of the UCU, the Association "Pirâmide das palavras", the Association of Ukrainian Youth in Portugal (Associação da Juventude Ukrainana em Portugal), Association of Ukrainians of Algarve (Associação dos Ukranianos do Algarve), Ukrainian-Portuguese educational and cultural center "T. Shevchenko School" in Faro (Centro educativo e cultural luso-ucraniano "Escola Tarás Shevtchenko"), Association "Wellspring of the World" (Associação "Fonte Mundo"), Public organization "Portuguese-Ukrainian Social and Cultural Center: Ukraine-Portugal-Europe", Braga (UPE (Ucrânia-Portugal-Europa) Associação Centro Social e Cultural Luso-Ucraniano), Association of Ukrainians in Portugal "Sobor", Association "Christian Movement of Ukrainians in Portugal", Association of Culture and Social Solidarity "Ukrainian House", Lisbon (Associação da cultura e solidariedade social "Casa da Ucrânia"), Association "Trends of Success" (Associação "Êxito das tendencias"), Charity Association "Angels of Mercy" (Associaçao Solidaria Anjos de Misericordia), Cultural Association of Solidarity and Support "Good Heart (Associação Cultural de Solidariedade e Apoio - Coração Bondoso), Ukrainian socio-cultural association "Side by Side" (Lado a Lado - Associação Socio-Cultural Ukraniana), Association for the Support of the Ukrainian Community in Portugal "ORANTA" (ORANTA - Associação de Apoio à Comunidade Ukrainiana em Portugal).

Principality of Liechtenstein

1. Recognition of Ukraine: December 23, 1991.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: February 6, 1992.

3. Political relations

Relations are characterized by the absence of problematic issues. Liechtenstein does not recognize Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, supports Ukraine during Russia's full-scale military aggression, strongly condemns the Russian invasion, and supports the urgency of investigating war crimes committed by Russia. Fully adheres to EU sanctions. Liechtenstein has joined the statement of the states-parties of the Rome Statute to the International Criminal Court regarding the investigation of crimes of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, supported the activation of the Moscow Mechanism of the OSCE.

On the initiative of Liechtenstein, on April 26, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution on the response to the use of the right of veto in the UN Security Council. This resolution does not cancel the right of veto in the Security Council. Its idea is to strengthen the transparency and accountability of the UN Security Council to the General Assembly in accordance with the Organization's Charter when making decisions in this organ.

Liechtenstein co-sponsored UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/ES-11/5 of November 7, 2022 "Furtherance of remedy and reparation for aggression against Ukraine", adopted at the 11th extraordinary special session. The resolution is historic as it admits that Russia should be accountable for its aggression against Ukraine and recommends creating a register of damages. It also recognizes the need for Russia to compensate for the damage caused by violations of international law, creation of a register of claims for losses and damages. For the first time, the resolution contains a call on Russia to immediately stop the use of force against Ukraine and to completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops within its internationally recognized borders and territorial waters.

Liechtenstein is part of the coalition of countries for the creation of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (Core Group) actively supports the idea of its creation and prosecution of war criminals. Liechtenstein also joined the founding countries of the Register of Damages, created as part of the Council of Europe summit in Reykjavík (May 16-17, 2023).

Among the last contacts at the highest level

On February 20, 2022, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Governmental Counselor, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport of the Principality of Liechtenstein Dominique Hasler held a meeting on the margins of the Munich Security Conference. During the meeting, Dominique Hasler announced the Principality's decision to join the International Crimean Platform, thus becoming the 48^th participating state.

On May 26, 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba paid a visit to the Principality of Liechtenstein. During the visit, he held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sports of the Principality of Liechtenstein Dominique Hasler, and paid a courtesy visit to His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein.

On January 17, 2023, the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska met with His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein "on the margins" of the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland).

4. Contractual and legal framework

The number of valid bilateral documents: 3. Since June 1, 2012, the Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and EFTA has been brought into force in relations between Ukraine and Liechtenstein. Part of the Ukrainian-Swiss agreements apply to Liechtenstein (on trade and economic cooperation, on agriculture, on international road transport of passengers and cargo, on mutual cancellation of the visa regime for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports, on simplification of visa processing, on readmission).

5. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation is not characterized by high activity, but it has potential for development. One of the traditional symbols of such cooperation was the activity of Baron Eduard von Falz Fein (1912-2018) - a citizen of Liechtenstein and a native of Ukraine (the village of Havrylivka in the Kherson region), nephew of the founder of the nature reserve "Askania-Nova", who for many years contributed to the reconstruction of the nature reserve and the museum complex on its territory. The International Academy of Music in Liechtenstein is constantly accepting foreign scholarship holders, including musicians from Ukraine. Ukrainian children regularly participate in international Olympiads and social projects held by the Principality. There is cooperation between the postal administrations of our countries - Ukrainian Post and Liechtenstein Post. Liechtenstein provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine in connection with the need to overcome the consequences of Russian aggression. Among other things, this is done through the Liechtenstein Red Cross, which is headed by the wife of His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein, Princess Sofia. Other Liechtenstein NGOs also provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including Hilfswerk Liechtenstein ("HL"), which during the year implemented several projects with the direct participation of the Government of the Principality and clergy of the Ukrainian Roman Catholic Church. Among such initiatives is the opening of a medical diagnostic center for vulnerable population groups in Kyiv in cooperation with the "Caritas-Spes Ukraine" association. In 2020, the public organization "HL" also supported with a financial donation the settlement for single mothers with children "Nadia" in Kharkiv, which was opened in 2019 with the support of the Government of Liechtenstein.

The Ukrainian community does not have places of compact residence and established associations on the territory of Liechtenstein, until February 24, 2022, it numbered about 40 people.

According to the Immigration and Passport Office of Liechtenstein, since the beginning of the full-scale military aggression of the Russian Federation, about 437 people from Ukraine have arrived in Liechtenstein (as of June 2023).

6. Diplomatic mission of Ukraine. Embassy of Ukraine to the Swiss Confederation.

Republic of Malta

Establishment of diplomatic relations: March 5, 1992.

Political dialogue:

- In October 1991, a government delegation of Ukraine headed by Prime Minister Vitold Fokin visited Malta.

- On July 9-10, 2008, the first official visit of the President of Malta E. Fenech-Adami to Ukraine;

- In September 2012, the Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Health of Ukraine R. Bogatyreva visited Malta to participate in the 62nd session of the WHO Regional Committee;

- On September 4-5, 2013, the Prime Minister of Malta J. Muscat paid an official visit to Ukraine;

- in January 2017, a telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine P. Poroshenko and the Prime Minister of Malta J. Muscat;

- in February 2017, a telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine P. Klimkin and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta G.W. Vella;

- On March 29-30, 2017, meeting of the President of Ukraine P. Poroshenko with the President of Malta M.-L. Coleiro Preca;

- On May 16-17, 2017, the President of Ukraine P. Poroshenko paid first state visit to Malta;

- On October 16-18, 2017, the first state visit of the President of Malta M.-L. Coleiro Preca to Ukraine;

- On February 26, 2019, within the framework of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, a bilateral meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine V.Prystaiko and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Development of the Republic of Malta C.Abela;

- On May 18, 2021, a telephone conversation between Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Diplomatic Advisor I. Zhovkva and Director within the Directorate General Political, External Relations and European Affairs within the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Malta C.Bonello;

- On June 18, 2021, within the framework of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, a bilateral meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D.Kuleba and the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Malta E.Bartolo.

- April 18, 2022 – telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D. Kuleba and the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade I. Borg.

- May 10, 2022 – address by the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy to the House of Representatives (Parliament) of the Republic of Malta.

- May 18, 2022 – a video-call between the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R. Stefanchuk and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Malta A. Farrugia.

- June 14-15, 2022 – visit of the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine O. Kornienko to the Republic of Malta.

- March 10, 2023 – meeting of the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine O. Kornienko with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Malta A. Farrugia within the framework of the 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (Bahrain).

Key bilateral instruments:

- Memorandum of Understanding on the recognition of seamen diplomas for work on ships under the Maltese flag between the Maltese Maritime Office and the Ministry of Transport of Ukraine (signed on December 28, 2001, enter into force December 28, 2001);

- Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Malta on cooperation in tourism (signed on July 9, 2008, enter into force July 9, 2008);

- Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Malta on cooperation in fighting organized crime (signed on July 9, 2008, enter into force April 18, 2009);

- Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral consultations between The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malta (signed on 17.05.2017, enter into force May 17, 2017);

- Memorandum of cooperation in the field of youth and physical culture and sports between the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and Ministry of Education and Employment of the Republic of Malta (signed on May 17, 2017, enter into force 17, 2017);

- Memorandum on cooperation in the fields of education, science and culture between the Ministry Education and Science of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Employment of Malta (signed on May 17, 2017, enter into force May 17, 2017);

- Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation (signed on September 4, 2013, enter into force August 28, 2017).

- Agreement between the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and of Entrepreneurship of Malta on the establishment of the Ukrainian-Maltese Council (signed on October 17, 2017, enter into force October 17, 2017);

- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and the Ministry for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity of the Republic of Malta on cooperation in the field of social policy (signed on September 26, 2019, enter into force September 26, 2019);

- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and the Ministry for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity of the Republic of Malta on cooperation in the field of protection of the rights of the child (signed on September 26, 2019, enter into force September 26, 2019).

- Memorandum of Understanding between the State Financial Monitoring Service of Ukraine and the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit of the Republic of Malta concerning cooperation in the area of counteraction to laundering of the proceeds from crime, associated predicate offences, financing of terrorism and financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction – August 26, 2021.

Economic cooperation:

According to the data of the National Statistics Office of Malta, in the first half of 2022, the trade turnover between Ukraine and Malta amounted to 3.1 million Euros. Of which, import of goods from Ukraine amounted to 2.53 million EUR, export to Ukraine - 616.5 thousand EUR.

Republic of San Marino

Recognition of Ukraine: October 30, 1995.

Establishment of diplomatic relations: October 30, 1995

Political dialogue:

October 1, 2021 - The Ambassador of Ukraine to San Marino paid a working visit to San Marino and met with the Captain Regents and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

September 29, 2022 - The Ambassador of Ukraine to San Marino paid a working visit to San Marino and met with the Captains Regent and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

November 25, 2022 - Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba hold a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Economic Cooperation and Telecommunications of the Republic of San Marino.

San Marino consistently supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Since the beginning of the Russian military invasion, San Marino has been providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine (350 tons in 2022), as well as launching programs to support Ukrainians in need of protection (330 citizens of Ukraine).

In 2022, for the first time in its history, despite its status of "active neutrality", San Marino joined the EU's personal sanctions against Russia.

San Marino supports all initiatives of Ukraine within the framework of international organizations, is a co-sponsor of all Ukrainian resolutions in UN.

Trade and economic relations:

In 2022, the total volume of bilateral trade turnover in goods and services reached $2.824 mln. Ukrainian exports amounted to $1.19 mln and imports from San Marino – $1.634 mln.

Legal instruments:

Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of San Marino on Trade and Economic Cooperation (03.11.2005);

Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of San Marino on Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investments (15.10.2008);

Memorandum on cooperation between the State Committee for Financial Monitoring and the Financial Intelligence Agency of the Republic of San Marino in the field of exchange of financial information related to money laundering and terrorist financing (10.12.2009)

Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Culture (20.12.2012).

Ukrainian community:

According to the official Sammarinese statistics, approximately 100 citizens of Ukraine live permanently in San Marino, and approximately 300 people are temporarily resident in the country and are employed in the service sector (shops, hotels, restaurants, etc.).

Slovenia

1. Recognition of the Independence of Ukraine: December 11, 1991.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: March 10, 1992.

3. Political dialogue:

Recent contacts of the presidents:

March 31, 2023 - the meeting of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Robert Golob as part of his visit to Ukraine.

January 9, 2023 – phone conversation between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar.

Recent contacts of the heads of government:

March 31, 2023 - the meeting between the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and the Prime Minister of Slovenia R. Golob as part of his visit to Ukraine.

October 6, 2022 - the meeting of the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia R. Golob on the sidelines of the Summit of the European Political Community in Prague.

Recent contacts at the level of heads of parliaments:

June 2, 2023 – meeting of the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk with the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Slovenia Urška Klakočar Zupančič within the framework of the Summit of the Speakers of the Parliaments of NATO countries.

Contacts at the level of heads of foreign ministries:

February 25, 2023 – the meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba with the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia Tanja Fajon in New York.

4. Interparliamentary cooperation

May 17, 2023 - video conference at the level of the heads and members of the foreign policy committees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia.

November 2023 – election of the new members of friendship group with Ukraine from the Slovenian side (in view of the next parliamentary elections in the Republic of Slovenia, held in April, 2022). The group included 12 deputies of the National Assembly. Mr. Dean Premik has been appointed as the head of the group.

June 7, 2022 - the meeting of the Deputy Chief of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Mrs Olena Kondratiuk, with the Speaker of the National Assembly Urška Klakočar Zupančič, and the members of the Committee on Foreign Policy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia.

On December 18, 2019, a parliamentary friendship group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine with the Republic of Slovenia was established. The co-chairs of the group are Mr Oleg Bondarenko and Denys Herman.

5. Existing high-level bilateral bodies

Joint Ukrainian-Slovenian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation (May 12, 1997). The last meeting was held in February 2019 in Kyiv.

6. Bilateral agreements between Ukraine and Slovenia

As of 2023, the Ukrainian-Slovenian contractual legal base consists of 33 documents.

7. Trade and economic cooperation

In 2022, the total turnover of trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Slovenia amounted to 332.3 million dollars, a decrease of 17.3%. At the same time, the export of Ukrainian goods and services to Slovenia amounted to 77.4 million dollars. USA and decreased by 24%. Import of goods and services from Slovenia to Ukraine amounted to 254.9 million dollars. USA, which is 15% less than in 2021. The balance of trade with Slovenia is negative and amounts to 177.5 million dollars. USA.

In 2022, bilateral trade amounted to 307.1 million dollars. USA and decreased by 15.4% compared to 2021, while the export of goods from Ukraine to Slovenia amounted to 59 million dollars and decreased by 21.9%, the import of Slovenian goods to Ukraine amounted to 248.1 million dollars and decreased by 13.8%. The negative balance for Ukraine during this period amounted to -189.1 million dollars.

The structure of exports of Ukrainian goods to Slovenia is dominated by supplies of: wood and wooden products – 21.8% (↑1.0%); sugar and sugar confectionery - 11.4% (↑ 535 times); electric cars – 8.2% (↓41.9%); railway locomotives – 6.8% (↓10.1%); ferrous metals – 6.1% (↓76.9%); furniture – 5.2% (↓28.1%).

The structure of import of Slovenian goods is dominated by supplies of: pharmaceutical products – 44.2% (↓10.4%); electric cars – 11.5% (↓28.7%); nuclear reactors, boilers, machines – 6.0% (↓46.3%); paper and cardboard - 5.1% (↑11%); means of land transport other than railway - 4.5% (↑ 2.8 times); various food products – 3.7% (↓48.3%).

In 2022, the volume of trade in services amounted to 25.2 million dollars and decreased by 34.5% compared to 2021, while the export of services from Ukraine to Slovenia amounted to 18.4 million dollars and decreased by 30.1%, the import of Slovenian services to Ukraine amounted to 6.8 million dollars and decreased by 44%. The positive balance for Ukraine during this period amounted to +11.6 million dollars.

8. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation

The legal basis of Ukrainian-Slovenian cultural and humanitarian cooperation is the Protocol on Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia dated January 28, 1994, the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Slovenia on Cooperation in the Field of Culture, Science and Education dated May 12, 1997 (March 23, 2000).

Cooperation in the scientific and educational sphere is carried out through direct contacts, within the framework of individual programs of higher educational institutions.

9. Ukrainian community

The Ukrainian diaspora in Slovenia numbers about 2,000 people. Ukrainians living in Slovenia work as scientists, doctors, and athletes. Their social status is average or above average. The association "Karpaty", the Ukrainian cultural and educational organization "Rukavychka", the cultural association "Ljubljana-Kyiv" are operating in Slovenia.

Spain

Bilateral relations between Ukraine and Spain

1. Recognition of Ukraine's independence: December 31, 1991.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: January 30, 1992.

3. Diplomatic missions: Embassy of Ukraine in Spain, Embassy of Spain in Ukraine

4. Political relations

Relations between Ukraine and the Kingdom of Spain are characterized by diversity and multifacetedness.

In June 2022, Spain supported the decision of the Council of the EU to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine.

Since Russia's full-scale military aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, an active bilateral political dialogue has been ongoing. In particular, the President of the Government of Spain P.Sánchez visited Ukraine twice - on April 21, 2022 and February 23, 2023.

In addition, in 2023 the following events took place:

• phone conversation between the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and the President of the Government of Spain P. Sánchez (January 5, 2023);

• meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, D. Kuleba and J.M. Albares Bueno, of Spain, on the sidelines of the GA and UN Security Council events in New York (February 23, 2023) and on the sidelines of the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Brussels (April 4, 2023);

• visit of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine O. Reznikov to Spain (April 13, 2023);

• meeting of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R. Stefanchuk with the President of the Congress of Deputies of Spain M. Batet Lamaña on the sidelines of the Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments in Prague (April 24, 2023);

• meeting of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, O. Stefanishyna, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation of Spain, J.M. Albares Bueno, on the sidelines of the EU-related events in Sweden (26.05.2023);

• the meeting of the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy with the President of the Government of Spain P. Sánchez on the sidelines of the summit of the European Political Community in Moldova (June 1, 2023).

Approximately 30 bilateral contacts of various levels took place during 2022.

Madrid made a significant contribution to strengthening defense capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Today, Spain is the 4th contributor to the European Peace Fund, which has allocated €3.6 billion for the defense purposes of Ukraine (of which €315 million is Spain's contribution).

5. Interparliamentary cooperation

On February 18, 2021, a parliamentary group on interparliamentary relations with Spain was formed in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The list of its members can be found at: http://w1.c1.rada.gov.ua/pls/mpz2/organizations.dep_group_members?grp=24

On April 24, 2023, during the meeting of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R. Stefanchuk with the President of the Congress of Deputies of Spain M. Batet Lamaña on the sidelines of the Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments in Prague, a Memorandum on Cooperation between the Secretariat of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Secretariat of the Congress of Deputies of Spain was signed.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Spanish Congress of Deputies has adopted a number of non-legislative documents in support of Ukraine.

6. Trade and economic cooperation

Spain is a key importer of Ukrainian wheat and one of Ukraine's leading trade partners, particularly in terms of the volume of positive bilateral trade balance for our country.

At the beginning of 2022, trade and economic cooperation with Spain underwent a significant reduction in comparison with the previous periods. At the same time, after the first quarter of 2022, the volume of mutual trade gradually has started growing.

According to the Spanish statistics, in 2022 the volume of bilateral trade in goods amounted to $2,897.4 mln ($1,670.7 mln in 2021, +73.4%). Exports – $2,408 mln ($1,678 mln in 2021, +43.5%), imports – $489.2 mln ($975.8 mln in 2021, -50%). Positive balance for Ukraine - $1,918.8 mln.

The main groups of Ukrainian export goods are: grains ($1.178 bln); fats and oils of animal or vegetable origin ($343.3 mln); ferrous metals ($78.2 mln); electrical machines and mechanisms ($44.9 mln); salts and minerals ($37.3 mln); wood and wood products ($36.9 mln); ores ($17.6 mln).

The main groups of goods imported from Spain to Ukraine: means of land transport except railway ($43.2 mln); chemical products ($24.7 mln); plastics and products made from them ($20.2 mln); weapons and ammunition ($16.9 mln); reactors, nuclear boilers, machines ($16.7 mln); mineral fuel ($15.2 mln); electrical machines and mechanisms ($14.0 mln); meat and meat products ($12.5 mln); fish and crustaceans ($10.8 mln).

In accordance with the Agreement on Economic and Industrial Cooperation between Ukraine and Spain dated on October 7, 1996 (entered into force on April 12, 2000), the parties established the Ukrainian-Spanish Mixed Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Industrial Cooperation. Three meetings of the Commission were held: in July 2008 in Madrid, in April 2011 in Kyiv and in December 2018 in Madrid.

7. Cooperation in the field of culture

Bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Spain in the cultural and humanitarian sphere is based on the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Kingdom of Spain on Cooperation in Education, Science and Culture of 07.10.1996.

Ukraine and Spain successfully cooperate in the sphere of culture. Tours of Ukrainian music and theatre groups, as well as Ukrainian community’ centers performances, contribute to the development of cultural and humanitarian contacts, and to a deeper understanding of Ukrainian culture, art and history in Spain.

Numerous exhibitions dedicated to Ukrainian art have attracted the attention of the Spanish public, including recent exhibitions of works by Nana Artamonova and Tetiana Kornienko.

Workshops in Ukrainian crafts traditionally attract a large audience in Madrid and other regions of Spain.

Ukrainian movies such as Zaza Buadze's “Mother of Apostles” and the animated film “Mavka, the Forest Song” were a great success in Spain.

In Madrid and Barcelona, the Spanish literary community welcomed the presentation of the novel "Lexicon of Intimate Cities" by contemporary Ukrainian novelist, poet and translator Yuriy Andrukhovych, who had a tour of Spain. The publication of Hryhoriy Skovoroda's collected works on the 300th Anniversary of his birth and the Ukrainian poet collection “Un Puñado de la Tierra” translated into Spanish became notable events in the literary life of Spain.

A significant event in Madrid was the presentation of the exhibition of Ukrainian art "In the center of the storm. Modernism in Ukraine 1900-1930s" at the world-famous Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum.

As a sign of solidarity with Ukraine, a flagpole over 8 meters high with the Ukrainian flag was erected on the Lesya Ukrainka Square in Madrid.

On March 19, 2023, the first Ukrainian-language radio station in Spain, Ucrania FM, was launched in Alicante with the aim to provide information support to the Ukrainian-speaking community and promote cooperation between Ukraine and Spain in the cultural and humanitarian spheres. The station's programming consists mainly of modern Ukrainian-language music, cultural, social and entertainment programs.

Numerous photo exhibitions were held in many cities of Spain to draw the attention of the Spanish society to Russia’s full-scale aggression in Ukraine.

8. The Ukrainian community in Spain

According to the latest data published by the National Statistics Institute of Spain, 133,046 citizens of Ukraine live in Spain.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, more than 167 000 Ukrainians have arrived in Spain.

Switzerland

Switzerland

1. Recognition of Ukraine: December 23, 1991.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: February 6, 1992.

3. Political relations:

Contacts of the President of Ukraine:

On January 10, 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation with President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis.

On February 26, 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation with President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis.

On April 30, 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation with President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis.

On October 19-21, 2022, President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis paid an official visit to Ukraine.

On January 17-18, 2023, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska met with President of Switzerland Alain Berset and Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis on the sidelines of the 53-rd WEF Annual Meeting in Davos.

On March 2, 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation with President of Switzerland Alain Berset.

On June 1, 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met President of Switzerland Alain Berset on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Chisinau.

Contacts of the Prime Minister of Ukraine:

On March 10, 2022, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal had a telephone conversation with President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis.

On April 12, 2022, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal had a telephone conversation with President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis.

On June 29, 2022, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal had a telephone conversation with President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis.

On July 4-5, 2022, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal paid a working visit to Switzerland to participate in Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano.

On August 19, 2022, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal had a telephone conversation with President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis.

On October 20, 2022, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis during his official visit to Ukraine.

On January 19, 2023, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met online Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

On April 12, 2023, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis on the sidelines of the World Bank spring ministerial meeting in Washington D.C.

Contacts of the Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine:

On April 26-28, 2022, President of the National Council of the Swiss Federal Assembly Irène Kälin together with Speaker of Sobranie of the Republic of North Macedonia Talat Xhaferi and Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Romania Florin Cîțu paid a visit of solidarity to Ukraine.

On July 4-5, 2022, Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk paid a working visit to Switzerland to participate in Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano.

On October 25, 2022, Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk had a meeting with President of the National Council of the Swiss Federal Assembly Irène Kälin on the sidelines of the First parliamentary summit of the International Crimea Platform in Zagreb, Croatia.

Contacts of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine contacts:

On May 24, 2022, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba met President of Switzerland on the sidelines of the 51-st World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.

4. Treaty legal basis.

39 bilateral legal documents are in force. Key documents are:

Agreement between Ukraine and the Swiss Confederation on the Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investments and the Protocol in particular agreements on promotion and reciprocal protection of investments (April 20, 1995);

Agreement between Ukraine and the Swiss Confederation on Trade and Economic Cooperation (July 20, 1995);

Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Swiss Confederation on Technical and Financial Cooperation (October 13, 1997);

Convention between the Government of Ukraine and the Swiss Federal Council for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital and the Protocol (October 30, 2000);

Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Swiss Federal Council on the Mutual Waiver of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic, Service and Special Passports (July 11, 2003);

Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and the EFTA Countries (June 24, 2010);

Agreement between Ukraine and the Swiss Confederation on the Readmission of Persons (June 7, 2017);

Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Swiss Federal Council on the Facilitation of Visa Processing (June 7, 2017).

5. Ukraine-Switzerland: Trade and Economic Cooperation

Switzerland is one of Ukraine's leading trade partners.

According to the results of 2021, Switzerland took 7th place in the volume of bilateral trade in goods between Ukraine and European countries with a specific weight of 4.26% of the total volume of trade.

The volume of bilateral trade in goods in 2021 amounted to 2,674.4 million dollars. USA. Export - 177.6 million dollars. USA, import - 2496.8 million dollars. USA.

In 2021, the volume of bilateral trade in services amounted to 1,469.3 million dollars. USA, export - 1189.7 million dollars. USA, import - 279.6 million dollars. USA. Positive balance - 910.1 million dollars. USA.

The pandemic factor and russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine affected the dynamics and parameters of bilateral economic relations.

Thus, according to the results of 2022, Switzerland took 15th place in terms of the volume of bilateral trade in goods between Ukraine and European countries with a specific weight of 2.2% of the total volume of trade.

In 2022, the volume of trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Switzerland decreased by 47.8% compared to 2021. Export volumes of Ukrainian goods and services to Switzerland decreased by 14.5%, import volumes decreased by 57.7%.

According to the results of 2022, the turnover between Ukraine and Switzerland amounted to 1 billion 138.6 million dollars. USA, which is 57.4% less than the volume of trade in goods for 2021. Export volumes of Ukrainian goods to Switzerland decreased by 28.2%, import volumes decreased by 59.5%.

According to the results of 2022, in the structure of the export of Ukrainian goods to Switzerland, the volume of deliveries increased the most:

fats and oils of animal or vegetable origin - a fifth of exports (volumes increased by 5.9 times);

grain crops – 17.1% of exports (volumes increased by 4.3 times);

ferrous metal products - 5.9% (+15.6%);

furniture - 5.7% (+ 29.2%).

According to the results of 2022, the import volume decreased the most:

mineral fuel, oil and products of its distillation - 67.4% of imports (-64.3%);

pharmaceutical products – 5.1% of imports (-33.7%);

plastics, polymer materials – 3.9% (-23.4%);

natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones - 3.5% (-71.2%).

According to the results of 2022, the volume of trade in services between Ukraine and Switzerland decreased by 40.5% compared to 2021.

The volume of export of Ukrainian services to Switzerland fell less than the volume of import. The balance in trade in services is positive and amounts to 550.5 million US dollars.

As of the end of 2021, Swiss investments in the economy of Ukraine reached 4,003.3 million dollars. USA, which is 8.7% of the total volume of direct foreign investments involved in the country's economy. In terms of investment volume, Switzerland is one of the five largest foreign investors. It is worth to note that the largest volume of Swiss investments went to the industry of Ukraine and amounted to 3,352.4 million dollars. USA, which is 83.7% of the total volume of investments.

The total volume of investments from Ukraine to Switzerland remained insignificant and as of 12/31/2021 amounted to 6.9 million USD, or approximately 0.3% of the total volume of Ukrainian investments in world economies.

World-famous Swiss companies continue to work in Ukraine and plan to make further investments.

The 14th meeting of the Ukrainian-Swiss Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation will take place in Bern (2023).

6. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation

In Switzerland, cultural and artistic events are regularly held with the participation of Ukrainian cultural figures, in particular, concert tours of famous art groups, art and photo exhibitions of Ukrainian artists, and performances of Ukrainian musicians at prestigious international competitions. Representatives of domestic cinema participate in various Swiss film festivals. Ukrainian writers hold creative evenings for the local public, and artists hold exhibitions of their works. The Ukrainian theme is increasingly heard in the cultural environment of Switzerland.

In particular, in January 2023, the opening of the Ukrainian-Swiss Days of Culture in Ticino took place in Lugano. During two weeks, more than 120 exhibits of Ukrainian and Swiss works were presented at the exhibition. The Lviv Philharmonic, the Swiss Academy of Music, the Lugano Jazz Quartet, provided musical accompaniment the bands "Trembita of Ukraine" and "Roots of Switzerland".

In support of Ukraine, charity concerts and evenings are held with the participation of Ukrainian and Swiss talents, in particular, concerts of the ensemble of P. Virskyi, O. Botvinov, the band Druga Rika, the band Dakhabrakha, as well as various sports competitions of the national teams of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian film "Save Me" directed by M. Dubrovina took part in the selection of the Global Road Safety Film Festival in Geneva and won the Grand Prix (February 2022). The beginning of full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine prevented the director from receiving the award, so they had the opportunity to congratulate M. Dubrovina and her team with an award at the Embassy of Ukraine only a year later.

On February 24, 2023, to the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the population of all cantons of Switzerland held events of memory and solidarity. In the cities of Bern, Zurich, Winterthur, Basel, Lenzburg, Geneva, Lausanne, Luzerne, Fribourg, and others, solidarity marches, demonstrations, charity concerts, unfurling of the Ukrainian flag, lighting of memorial candles took place. The Embassy of Ukraine and representatives of "Bereznitsky Art Foundation" opened the photo exhibition "Ukrainian Guernica" in Bern. Representatives of the government, parliament, federal and local authorities, the diplomatic corps, business, the educational and scientific community, and the media attended the opening.

From April 18 to 21, a creative tour of S. Zhadan took place in the cities of Switzerland. The writer's literary evenings took place in Basel, Luzerne, Zurich and Lenzburg.

On April 26-27, a two-day cultural conference "Revival of culture - part of the reconstruction of Ukraine" was held in Bern, dedicated to Ukrainian cultural heritage and art. The event brought together representatives of the cultural sphere of our country, Switzerland, EU countries and international organizations. The Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, O.Tkachenko, sent a message to help strengthen our cultural front and preserve our heritage. Odesa cultural institutions, in particular, the Odesa National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet, the Municipal Theater, the Museum of Modern Art and many others, presented their projects here.

At the Bern Conservatory, the Legato Bern-Odesa union, which supports young musical talents from Ukraine, continues its long-term activities.

7. Scientific and technical cooperation

Ukrainian-Swiss cooperation in the field of science and education develops both within the framework of bilateral and multilateral projects, and at the level of direct contacts between scientific and educational institutions.

In 2016, Ukraine became an associate member of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), whose headquarters are in Geneva. The specified status allows our country to participate in all forms of scientific cooperation that are possible for full members.

In 2017, the University of Basel launched the initiative "Ukrainian Research in Switzerland - URIS", which is implemented with the financial support of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation of Switzerland. The goal of the initiative is the development of Ukrainian studies in Switzerland, encouragement and support of young scientists, assistance in building a network of university scientific research on Ukraine.

In 2018, agreements on the terms of cooperation and joint recognition of diplomas were signed between the private educational institutions Geneva Business School, two Ukrainian higher educational institutions - Kyiv National University named after T. Shevchenko, and Kharkiv National University named after V. Karazina.

In 2023, the Bern University of Applied Sciences developed a practical course aimed at Ukrainian women to obtain the necessary qualifications for the construction sector and Ukrainians living in Switzerland for a certain period. The training lasted from February to June 2023. The program will allow citizens of Ukraine who fled the atrocities of Russian aggression to gain advanced knowledge and modern practical skills to contribute to the future recovery and reconstruction of their native country. The next course will start in October 2023.

As part of the national multi-subject testing 2023 (NMT), the University of Bern will create conditions for Ukrainian graduates to conduct testing.

8. Ukrainian community

As of June 2023, according to official data, 65,000 citizens of Ukraine in Switzerland received temporary protection status S. Ukrainians live evenly in all cantons of Switzerland.

The registered public organization of Ukrainians is the Ukrainian Society in Switzerland; local branches of Ukrainians operate in various cities, in particular in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Lausanne, Geneva, St.Gallen, Chur, Lugano, and Zug. The Ukrainian Society of Central and Eastern Switzerland and Authentika Ukrainian Society in Switzerland are registered on the territory of Switzerland.

On February 24, 2023, numerous actions and solidarity marches in support of Ukraine were held in the cities of Switzerland. On March 4, 2023, a solidarity action in support of Ukraine was held in Bern with the support of deputies of the Friendship Group of the Swiss Parliament, and on March 25 in Lausanne, a protest action "Say NO to "neutral" athletes from Russia and Belarus at the 2024 Olympics."

On May 8, 2023, on the Day of Remembrance, Ukrainians in Bern, Zurich and Geneva commemorated everyone who fought against Nazism and all victims of World War II.

9. Diplomatic Mission of Ukraine: Embassy of Ukraine in the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

The Holy See

1. Recognition of Ukraine: January 1992

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: February 8, 1992

3. Diplomatic missions:

Embassy of Ukraine to the Holly See (since 2000).
The Apostolic Nunciature to Ukraine.

4. Political dialogue:

22.03.2023 - telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy and Pope Francis;

16.04.2022 - visit of Ukrainian parliamentarians M. Mezentsova, O. Khomenko, R. Umerov and Mayor of Melitopol I. Fedorov to the Vatican, meeting with State Secretary of the Holy See Cardinal Pietro Parolin and audience with Pope Francis;

18-22.05.2022 - visit of the Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher to Ukraine;

12.08.2022 - telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy and Pope Francis;

01.12.2022 - meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs D.Kuleba with the Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher within the framework of the 29th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the OSCE;

20-22.02.2023 - official visit of the delegation of the Ukraine-Vatican parliamentary friendship group. Meeting with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher;

26.04.2023 - official visit of the Prime Minister of Ukraine D.Shmyhal to the Vatican. Audience with Pope Francis, meeting with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal P. Parolin and the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop P. Gallagher;

13.05.2023 - official visit of the President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy to the Vatican. Audience with Pope Francis, meeting with the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop P. Gallagher;

5-6.06.2023 - visit to Ukraine of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, special representative of Pope Francis for the search for peace, meeting with the President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy.

Humanitarian cooperation

In the first week of Russia's war against Ukraine, the Pontiff sent two cardinals to Ukraine: Konrad Krajewski and Michael Czerny with the humanitarian mission.

Since the beginning of the war, the Vatican Hospital "Bambino Gesu" has accepted for treatment 1,100 Ukrainian children with various diagnoses, including 4 children aged 4 to 12 who were injured as a result of shelling while trying to leave Irpin and Hostomel. Pope Francis and Cardinal Petro Parolin personally visited the Ukrainian children at “Bambino Gesu”.

The Vatican State Mint, on the initiative of Pope Francis, issued the medal "Pace in Ukraina in beneficenza" in support of Ukraine. The profit from the sale of the medal was transferred to the needs of Ukrainians.

The regular humanitarian aid is provided to Ukraine through the Confederation of Catholic Relief Services ("Caritas Internationalis").

Cooperation in education

The Pontiff’s universities play an important role in the preparation of the future spiritual elite of Ukraine. In recent years, there has been a positive increase in the number of Ukrainian students at Pontiff’s universities in Rome, as well as in the number of students of higher Catholic educational institutions, students of Catholic schools and colleges, and seminarians.

After February 24, 2022, online courses for Ukrainian students in various fields of knowledge have been launched at the Pontiff’s universities, in particular the Pontifical Lateran University.

Cultural cooperation

June 23, 2022 artists of M.Lysenko Kharkiv National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet performed at the presentation of the medal "Pace in Ukraine in beneficenza" in the Vatican Palace of the Chancellery (Palazzo della Cancelleria).

Interfaith dialogue and cooperation between churches

Since July 2019, the Apostolic Exarchate for Ukrainian Catholics of the Byzantine rite, created by Pope Francis, is operating in Italy. The exarchate is headed by the Apostolic Exarch Bishop Dionisio Liakhovich, bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic church. Since the beginning of the war, the Exarchate has become one of the centers for the collection of humanitarian aid, which has been sent to Ukraine from various regions of Italy.

On January 24-26, 2023, for the first time in the history of Ukrainian-Vatican relations, the delegation of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations visited the Vatican. The delegation met the Pontiff, Secretary of State, Cardinal P. Parolin and Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop P. Gallagher.

Bilateral agreements

The main bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the Holy See is the Agreement on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Ukraine and the Holy See in the form of an exchange of notes.

The Netherlands

1. Recognition of Ukraine: December 31, 1991.

2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: April 1, 1992.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine was opened in the fall of 1992. The Embassy of Ukraine in the Benelux countries, whose functions included the representative office of Ukraine in the Netherlands, was opened in Brussels in 1993. The independent diplomatic mission of Ukraine in the Kingdom of the Netherlands in The Hague began its activities in 2002.

3. Political relations

The Netherlands is an important political partner of Ukraine both at the bilateral level and in the European Union and international organizations.

Bilateral relations with Ukraine were friendly and constructive from the very beginning. After the beginning of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the Netherlands adopted a firm and principled policy of supporting Ukraine and condemning Russia. The country consistently supported the introduction of sanctions against the Russian Federation, voted for pro-Ukrainian decisions in the EU, NATO, the UN and other international organizations. An important topic of the political dialogue between Ukraine and the Netherlands is the investigation into the downing of flight MH17 on July 17, 2014.

During the growing threat of Russian invasion at the beginning of 2022, and especially after February 24, 2022, the Netherlands radically increased its political, military, financial, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine and became one of the European leaders in helping our country and opposing the Russian aggression. The Netherlands took the lead on point 7 of the Ukrainian Peace Formula - "Restoring Justice".

Contacts and visits at the highest and highest levels

On February 1-2, 2022, Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister of Foreign Affairs W. Hoekstra arrived in Kyiv for a visit to demonstrate support for Ukraine in the context of the worsening situation on the Ukrainian-Russian border.

On February 23, 2022, on the eve of the Russian attack, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, had a telephone conversation, after February 24, they held dozens of telephone conversations, and also made a video address to the parliament of the partner country.

In May 2022, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, and the Netherlands, Wopke Hoekstra, exchanged working visits.

In June 2022, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Y. Svyrydenko and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzaparova visited the Netherlands.

In July 2022, Prime Minister Mark Rutte made a working visit to Ukraine.

In June 2022, the Netherlands supported the decision of the European Council to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership. The country also recognizes the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO.

In February 2023, a delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands visited Ukraine.

In May 2023, the state visit of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Netherlands took place.

4. Trade and economic relations

The Netherlands is one of Ukraine's leading foreign economic partners among the EU member states.

According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the volume of Ukrainian exports of goods to the Netherlands in 2021 amounted to 2,262,575 thousand dollars. USA (or 125.5% of the corresponding period in 2020). The volume of goods imported from the Netherlands amounted to 1,012,047 thousand dollars. USA (134.8% of the corresponding period of 2020). Thus, the total turnover in 2021 reached 3,274,622 thousand USD, and the positive trade balance in favour of Ukraine was at the level of 1,250,527 thousand USD.

According to the goods structure of Ukraine's foreign trade, the leading product groups of Ukrainian exports to the Netherlands in January 2022 were: cereals (35.4% of exports, 232.9% from the level of 2021), fats and oils of animal or vegetable origin (33,1%, 503.9%), seeds and fruits of oil plants (5.9%, 110.93%), meat (6.9%, 144.85%), ferrous metals (4.2 %, 114.7%), wood and wood products (2.7%, 190%). The rest of the product groups have an insignificant weight and do not significantly affect the volume and dynamics of exports.

In the product structure of imports from the Netherlands, consumer goods and goods that are used for manufacturing in Ukraine are the most popular, namely: mineral fuels, petroleum and its distillation products, bituminous substances (total weight 31.3%). plastic and polymer materials (total weight 5.9%), live trees and other plants (total weight 4.8%), nuclear reactors, boilers, means of land transport, except railway (4.5%) and machines, equipment and mechanical devices, their parts (4.0%).

According to the data of January 2022, the Netherlands ranked 6th in the world in terms of Ukrainian exports. In addition, during this period, the Netherlands was a key importer of Ukrainian agricultural products among the EU countries.

War in Ukraine significantly negatively impacted the level of foreign trade with the Netherlands. Taking into account this factor, it is possible to state:

- Export of Ukrainian goods to the Netherlands in the nine months of 2022 – 1.1 billion USD

- In the same period of 2021 – 2.262 billion USD

- The volume of goods imported from the Netherlands in the nine months of 2022 amounted to 784 million USD

- in 2021 - 1.012 billion USD

5. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation

Ukrainian-Dutch cooperation in the field of culture is actively developing and has a dynamic character. Its legal basis is the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on cultural cooperation dated February 1, 1996.

In 2022, Ukraine was designated by the Netherlands as a priority country in the field of cultural cooperation.

A number of local Ukrainian music and dance groups have existed in the Netherlands for many years, promoting the Ukrainian musical tradition. In particular, the Lysenko Choir, the Utrecht Byzantine Choir, the folk ensemble "Rusalka", the vocal ensemble "Chervoni Korali", etc.

The organizations "Ukrainians in the Netherlands", "Oekraine Culturalis", "OpenDoorUkraine.NL" promote Ukraine and Ukrainian culture, conduct economic and investment activities, organize cultural and artistic festivals, concerts, creative evenings, etc.

With the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, many cultural events in the Netherlands are devoted to Ukraine: numerous charity concerts, including Ukrainian musicians and performers, art and photo exhibitions, film screenings, theatre performances, art installations, etc.

Also, the events in Ukraine became an impetus for the translation and publication in Dutch of the works of Ukrainian writers, the creation by Dutch authors of books and collections about Ukraine, its history and modernity.

To provide support to cultural figures and artists from Ukraine who are temporarily in the Netherlands, the Government of the Netherlands established a special fund in the amount of 1 million euros. Six Dutch national cultural foundations from various artistic fields are implementing this initiative.

At the end of May 2022, to support Ukrainian ballet art and promote Ukrainian culture, a temporary residence for Ukrainian dancers - "The United Ukrainian Ballet" - was opened in The Hague. The initiative is implemented by the Dutch SENF Foundation together with prima ballerina Igone de Jong, the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and the Amare Theatre, with the support of The Hague City Hall and the Embassy of Ukraine in the Netherlands.

A magazine about Ukraine in the Dutch language - "Oekraine Magazine" - is published twice a year. The magazine is published on a volunteer basis and is a non-profit project of the Dutch public organization "Ukraine-Netherlands Cooperation Platform".

In addition, the Netherlands Public Broadcaster (NPO) created a Ukrainian-language online platform Net in Nederland ("New arrivals in the Netherlands") for Ukrainian displaced persons, which tells about the life, culture and customs of the Dutch in Ukrainian.

Also, at the end of April 2022, the first Ukrainian radio started operating in the Netherlands.

On an ongoing basis, about 20 Dutch charitable organizations transfer humanitarian aid to Ukraine, provide support to institutions of the social sphere, and also take an active part in the implementation of many humanitarian projects and initiatives in Ukraine.

6. Scientific and educational cooperation

In the field of scientific cooperation between Ukraine and the Netherlands, the space industry, health care, IT technologies, and cyber security are priorities.

Currently, there is a dialogue between the Netherlands Space Agency and the State Space Agency of Ukraine regarding the implementation of a number of joint initiatives in the field of using outer space for peaceful purposes. Among the priority areas of cooperation are remote sensing of the Earth, joint scientific research, participation in programs on the study of the Moon, etc.

Ukraine has intensified interaction with the international platform Global Forum for Cyber Expertise (GFCE) in such areas as the fight against cybercrime, the development of a cyber strategy, the protection of critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks, and raising the level of public awareness of modern threats in cyberspace.

In health care, Ukraine is developing a partnership with the organization Task Force Health Care (TFHC), which unites key healthcare sector representatives in the Netherlands. In addition, cooperation is developing with the Dutch companies "Royal Philips", "Hospitainer", and many other companies, as well as the European Medicines Agency regarding the use of their innovative experience for reforming the health care system in Ukraine.

Cooperation with leading Dutch universities such as Delft University of Technology, Leiden University, Wageningen University and Research Centre is one of the priorities in the field of educational cooperation.

7. Legal relations

Number of documents: 42.

Key documents:

Agreement on promotion and mutual protection of investments between Ukraine and the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Signed: 14.07.1994, effective from: 01.06.1997).

Convention between Ukraine and the Kingdom of the Netherlands on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of tax evasion with respect to taxes on income and property (Signed: 24.10.1995, effective from: 02.11.1996).

Protocol "On Amendments to the Convention between Ukraine and the Kingdom of the Netherlands on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Tax Evasion Regarding Taxes on Income and Property" (Signed: 12.03.2018).

Agreement between the National Bureau for the Investigation of Aviation Events and Incidents with Civil Aircraft (NBRCA) of Ukraine and the Aviation Safety Board of the Netherlands on the transfer of the investigation of the aviation incident involving the Boeing 777-200 aircraft, registration number: 9M-MRD of the airline company "Malaysia Airlines" flight MH17 (Signed: 24/07/2014, valid from: 24/07/2014).

Agreement between Ukraine and the Kingdom of the Netherlands on the International Investigation Protection Mission (Signed: 07/28/2014, valid from: 08/01/2014).

Agreement between Ukraine and the Kingdom of the Netherlands on international legal cooperation regarding crimes related to the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 on July 17, 2014 (Signed: July 7, 2017, valid from: August 28, 2018).

8. Ukrainian community

The Ukrainian diaspora in the Netherlands belongs to the new, so-called "economic" wave of migration. Its representatives came to the Netherlands for training or employment, mainly in technical and scientific fields. According to the estimates of diaspora organizations, before the beginning of the acute phase of Russia's war against Ukraine, about 10,000 Ukrainians lived in the Netherlands. Places of compact residence of the Ukrainian diaspora are primarily large cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, as well as cities with a predominantly student population: Utrecht, Leiden, Groningen and Eindhoven.

Since the beginning of the full-scale war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the Dutch Government and ordinary Dutch people have been actively helping Ukrainians who fled the war and found refuge in this country. Ukrainian citizens are provided with temporary shelter, they are provided with everything necessary for a comfortable and safe stay; numerous initiatives are also implemented aimed at providing Ukrainians with employment assistance, providing educational, medical and other services. As of June 2023, more than 90,000 temporarily displaced persons from Ukraine are officially registered in the Netherlands.

Since 2014, the activities and cohesion of the Ukrainian community in the multicultural environment of the Netherlands have grown significantly. Ukrainians actively protect the national interests of Ukraine, provide assistance to the Ukrainian military, popularize Ukrainian culture and traditions, creating national cultural and humanitarian centres in the largest cities of the Netherlands. The community regularly holds numerous rallies and actions in support of Ukraine. Every week there are 1-2 rallies in different cities of the country. Large consignments of humanitarian aid are regularly sent to Ukraine. In particular, since the full-scale invasion began, the "Ukrainians in the Netherlands" Foundation sent more than 460 tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

In March 2022, the first Ukrainian House was opened in Rotterdam with the support of the city hall.

The following officially registered organizations of the Ukrainian diaspora currently exist in the Netherlands: the Ukrainians in the Netherlands Foundation, the Ukraine Culturalis Foundation, the Oekraïense gemeenschap in Nederland Foundation, and Brand New Ukraine. Recently, there has been a tendency to create new groups and associations of Ukrainians.

Public organizations of Ukrainians in The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Groningen, Eindhoven, Utrecht, Haarlem, Breda and Almere operate Saturday or Sunday schools.