On February 10, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Yevhen Perebyinis met with the Austria’s Deputy Minister for European and International Affairs, Special Commissioner for Recovery of Ukraine, Elisabeth Kornfeind.

Yevhen Perebyinis expressed gratitude for Austria’s support, including in the process of Ukraine’s accession to the EU, and also expressed hope for a positive report from the European Commission on the results of the screening of Cluster 1 “Fundamentals”, which will allow Ukraine to open it during the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of the year.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the critical need to combat Russia’s circumvention of sanctions, primarily in the economic sphere, and also expressed hope for the adoption of the 16^th package of EU sanctions in the near future.

Attention was also paid to the issue of implementing the “Food from Ukraine” initiative to help Syria and its people. Ukraine is interested in Austria's active participation in such Ukrainian initiatives as humanitarian demining, "Grain from Ukraine", as well as in the newly formed "Shelter" coalition.

The interlocutors discussed the importance of ensuring further Austria’s assistance to Ukraine in the form of contributions to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and in the supply of energy equipment and other goods.

In addition, the parties agreed on cooperation and coordination of actions in the process of preparation for the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will be held in Rome in the July.