During the consultations held on 31 March with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olena Zerkal, V.Amendola underlined the interest of Italy to strengthen mutually beneficial relations with Ukraine in economic sphere, in particular in the field of energy and small and medium enterprise. In view of this both sides emphasized the significance of holding the next meeting of Ukrainian-Italian Council on economic, industrial and financial cooperation. 

The visit is taking place against a background of Italian Presidency in G7, membership in the OSCE Troika, holding unpermanent seat in the UNSC and celebrating the 25thanniversary of establishing Ukraine-Italy diplomatic relations. In that context Olena Zerkal stressed that Ukraine’s cooperation with Italy is getting a special meaning particularly regarding vast perspectives both for bilateral interaction and the European context.

V.Amendola also stated the stability of Italian position upon keeping in place EU sanctions against Russia, noting the importance of full implementation of the Minsk Agreements.