On November 24, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mariana Betsa held a meeting with Deputy Head of the OSCE Secretariat Catherine Fearon.

Special Representative of the OSCE Chairpersonship-in-Office – OSCE project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, Ambassador Petr Mareš also attended the event.

During the meeting, the parties discussed, in particular, further development of co-operation between Ukraine and the OSCE Secretariat, as well as the implementation of the Organization's projects in Ukraine, aimed at meeting Ukraine's priority needs in the context of the ongoing Russian aggression.

“Ukraine appreciates the OSCE's expert assistance in all three dimensions of the Organization's activities. It is important that the OSCE's expert assistance be aimed at two main priority areas in the development and implementation of OSCE projects: addressing the consequences of Russia's war of aggression against our country and advancing recovery; supporting national reforms and the Government’s EU-integration efforts”, emphasized Mariana Betsa.

The Ukrainian diplomat expressed gratitude to the OSCE Secretariat for its readiness to continue attracting assistance for the relevant projects’ implementation in the field of child protection. Taking this opportunity, the Deputy Minister welcomed the recent decision of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. Mariana Betsa expressed her belief that joining of the OSCE itself as a regional security organization to this Coalition would be a considerable step in joint efforts.

The interlocutors agreed to continue bilateral dialogue to ensure the high dynamics of co-operation between Ukraine and the OSCE Secretariat.