The Italian diplomat is visiting Ukraine within the Italian Chairmanship in the OSCE. According to G. Picchi, Italian Chairmanship pays due attention to the situation in the east of Ukraine, including in view of the activities of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission.

Olena Zerkal expressed gratitude for Italy’s unchangeable stance on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, which was once again clearly confirmed by the Italian Foreign Minister  Enzo Moavero Milanesi in the Italian Parliament on 25 July 2018.

The parties noted the significance of paying more attention to the humanitarian dimension of the work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission.

Olena Zerkal and Guglielmo Picchi positively assessed the state of bilateral relations, especially emphasized the growth of Ukrainian-Italian trade turnover, particularly due to the implementation of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU. Olena Zerkal voiced interest in further engagement of Italian companies to Ukraine, in particular in the field of energy.

The sides also noted the importance of deepening cultural cooperation as a means of drawing the peoples of both countries together. In this regard, G. Picchi informed about further cultural and artistic events of Italy in Ukraine.