On February 19, 2015 the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mrs. Natalia Galibarenko met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Petr Drulak.

The sides exchanged views on key issues of bilateral agenda as well as the prospects of peaceful settlement of a situation in the East of Ukraine.

N.Galibarenko pointed out that the Russian Federation continues to violate the obligations it has taken during the recent meeting in the Normandy format held in Minsk in part of cease-fire and heavy arms withdrawal. In this regard the Czech side has been informed on the decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine to request UN and EU to deploy on the territory of Ukraine a peacekeeping operation. N.Galibarenko has emphasized that this request is dictated by resolve of Ukraine to fully implement the Minsk agreements.

The Ukrainian side expressed gratitude for providing medical care to Ukrainians wounded in the events of Revolution of Dignity and sending humanitarian aid for victims of conflict in the East of Ukraine.

Both sides agreed with the need to overcome a decline in bilateral trade volumes through new investments and opening joint businesses on the territory of Ukraine.

N.Galibarenko highly appreciated the level of cooperation within the framework “Visegrad Group+Ukraine” format and expressed expectation that the Czech Chairmanship within the Visegrad Group that starts from July 1, 2015 would actively engage Ukraine to V4 events, in particular in energy field.

Also it was agreed that foreign ministries of both sides would coordinate their activities within the international organizations.