On June 23, First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova took part in an online meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI) Foreign Ministers. The meeting was dedicated, above all, to the cooperation in countering and overcoming the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The participants discussed the future of Europe, the process of European integration and cooperation with the countries of the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkans. All parties agreed on the need to maximize the potential and capabilities of the CEI for the purpose of post-pandemic economic recovery, as well as for implementing joint initiatives in this context.

Emine Dzhaparova told bout the steps being taken by Ukraine to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular at the international level. "Ukraine is ready to join the initiative of the EU and the WHO to draw-up a global agreement to combat the coronavirus pandemic," the First Deputy Minister noted.

At the same time, the Ukrainian diplomat called on the CEI Member States to unite their efforts to counter not only the consequences of the pandemic, but also the challenges and threats caused by Russia's aggressive policy.

The First Deputy Minister noted the importance of the participation of state leaders in the Inaugural Summit of the Crimea Platform on August 23, 2021, which will become a strong signal of consolidation of the international community to prevent further destruction of fundamental principles and norms of international law by the aggressor state.

Emine Dzhaparova also focused on the implementation of Ukraine's European integration choice, the work of the newly created mechanism of the "Association Trio" (Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia) within the "Eastern Partnership" and expressed hope that the results of the Eastern Partnership Summit in December of this year will meet the needs and expectations of the EU Associated States. The First Deputy Minister informed that Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba would make a more detailed presentation of the Association Trio initiative in European institutions and for the EU expert community during his joint visit to Brussels with his Georgian and Moldovan counterparts on June 24.

Emine Dzhaparova noted the important role of the CEI in strengthening European integration processes and stressed that Ukraine, as a Central European country, should have a clear prospect of the EU membership.

On behalf of the Ukrainian delegation, the First Deputy Minister thanked Montenegro for its successful chairmanship of the CEI.

The Central European Initiative is a regional organization of Central and Eastern European states, whose activities are aimed at establishing multilateral cooperation in the political, socio-economic, scientific and cultural spheres and promoting stability and security in the region. It includes 17 countries (10 EU countries) - Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Northern Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Ukraine.

Ukraine began developing contacts with the CEI in 1992 by participating in several working groups of the Initiative. In March 1994, our state received a member status on the CEI Associated Council, and on May 31, 1996 it became a full-fledged member of this organization.