On May 8, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba held a telephone call with Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain Arancha González Laya.

The Ministers discussed in particular creating new possibilities for mutual travel of citizens of Ukraine and Spain having agreed that conclusion of a Common Aviation Area Agreement would be mutually beneficial for both countries and would promote business, tourist, and people-to-people contacts.

“Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine works consistently to facilitate free travel of Ukrainians across Europe and all over the world. We work steadfastly to provide new possibilities for air travel between Ukraine and the EU countries. It is the kind of opportunities that the Common Aviation Area Agreement provides. We are doing our part for the agreement to be concluded” – Dmytro Kuleba stressed.

The Foreign Ministers stressed the importance of intensification of the bilateral economic and investment cooperation. It was noted in this regard that signing of a Convention for the Elimination of Double Taxation between Ukraine and Spain would bring additional benefits for doing business.

The Ministers exchanged information on the efforts of their governments to counter the spread of COVID-19. Dmytro Kuleba thanked his Spanish colleague for support of the government of Spain in the repatriation of Ukrainian citizens.

Arancha González Laya reiterated the support by Spain of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Foreign Ministers underlined the need for compliance with international law in relations between states.

Important: Spain is the co-sponsor of the UNGA resolutions “Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine” and “Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov”.

Spain is among Ukraine’s major trading partners in the EU with one of the largest trade surplus for Ukraine. Spain is one of the leading importers of Ukrainian goods. In 2019, the bilateral trade turnover amounted US$ 2.48 billion (+15.5% comparing to 2018) with Ukrainian export to Spain US$ 1.59 billion (+8.1%) and Spanish import to Ukraine US$ 0.89 billion (+31.3%). Spanish FDI in the economy of Ukraine reached US$ 61.5 million.