On Wednesday, April 1, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha welcomed his Irish counterpart, Helen McEntee, to Kyiv on her first visit to Ukraine.
The Ministers held the second meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between Ukraine and Ireland. This new interaction format was established by the Partnership Roadmap to 2030, signed last December by the leaders of both countries during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's historic visit to Ireland.
"We agreed to systematically implement the Roadmap and expand our cooperation. We discussed the possibility of holding the second annual Ukraine-Ireland Economic Forum later this year. We also welcome the active involvement of Ireland and Irish companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine," the Foreign Minister noted.
During the talks, Andrii Sybiha briefed his colleague on peace efforts, the battlefield situation, and increasing pressure on the aggressor. Specifically, the Ministers discussed the need for the swift adoption of the EU's 20th sanctions package. The parties paid special attention to the accountability track, where Ireland demonstrates significant leadership.
"Ireland's principled stance in countering Russian aggression is vital for Ukraine. We value the support for our sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as Ireland’s active role in consolidating international efforts to deter the Russian threat," stated the head of the diplomatic department.
Andrii Sybiha highlighted Ireland's role in humanitarian initiatives, particularly the reconstruction of a hospital in Berdychiv alongside Estonia. The Minister also emphasized that last year Dublin provided 200 million euros in non-lethal military aid.
"I would like to highlight Ireland's contribution this year of 25 million euros to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. We have overcome the most difficult winter in history — and your contribution is part of that success. I also thank you for today's important announcement of an additional 40.3 million euros in humanitarian support for this year," he added, expressing gratitude for Ireland’s hospitality toward 120,000 Ukrainians displaced by the war.
Andrii Sybiha thanked Ireland for its consistent support of Ukraine's EU accession. The Minister expressed hope that Ireland’s EU Presidency, starting July 1, will be a time of major, pivotal decisions on this path, particularly regarding increasing the cost of war for the aggressor and advancing Ukraine’s EU membership.
"I am convinced that our partnership will continue to deepen to achieve a just and lasting peace, strengthen security in Europe, and build a shared European future," the Minister noted.
The Foreign Minister also congratulated his colleague on today's planned official opening of the new Irish Embassy premises in Kyiv.
A significant part of the visit included a presentation of archival diplomatic documents from the Soviet era and the early years of independence, provided by the State Archival Service of Ukraine. Presenting the exhibition to the Irish delegation, Andrii Sybiha stressed that these documents testify to the long-standing diplomatic and people-to-people ties between Ukraine and Ireland. The MFA expresses its gratitude to Anatolii Khromov, Head of the State Archival Service, and Larysa Levchenko, Director of the Central State Archives of Supreme Authorities and Governments, for sourcing and preparing these materials.