Began my visit to France by meeting with OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann. 

We focused on further advancing Ukraine–OECD cooperation and deepening our engagement. 

We also exchanged views on key regional developments, including the situation in the Middle East, and its wider implications for global security and economic stability.  

Ukraine is steadily advancing towards OECD membership and aims to obtain a candidate status already this year. We are ready to move to the next stage. 

Our integration into the OECD will support Ukraine’s recovery and secure our place within the community of developed democratic states. 

Ukraine’s role as a platform for cooperation with Eastern partners is growing, and the OECD office in Ukraine will help maintain a regional hub for the OECD’s standards and policies. 

We also discussed Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to advance a lasting peace. In this context, the role of international organizations such as the OECD remains important in supporting long-term stability. 

I was honoured to present, on behalf of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Order of Merit to Mathias Cormann, our true friend whose principled leadership has strengthened our resilience and consistently advanced our reform path."