President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the opening of the Ukrainian-Polish intergovernmental consultations.
The President noted that it is a great honor for the people of Ukraine and for him personally to meet with the Polish delegation.
“Ukraine has great respect for the people of Poland and the leadership of your country, we are grateful to you,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to the President, the meeting of the two governments in this format is taking place for the first time and is historic for our states.
“I want to note the priority of relations between Ukraine and Poland. I believe that due to Russia’s war against Ukraine our relations have moved from warm and neighborly to a new stage – strong and historical relations,” he said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the exceptional support for our state by the Republic of Poland, which has manifested itself in many areas. In particular, this is unprecedented defense assistance, as well as support for Ukrainian citizens who were forced to leave for Poland to escape the war waged by Russia.
“I want to thank the people of Poland for this closeness, warmth and humanity in relation to our citizens,” said the President, emphasizing that the state will do everything to ensure that Ukrainians return home after the war.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed hope that President of Poland Andrzej Duda and the entire Polish government will join the reconstruction of certain territories of Ukraine that were destroyed as a result of Russian aggression.
The President thanked Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki for being the true advocate of Ukraine’s future membership in the European Union.
“I am very glad that we have a large geopolitical army that has come to support Ukraine and that sees Ukraine on an equal footing among equal partners,” the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope that important bilateral documents on cooperation between Ukraine and Poland would be agreed during today’s consultations.
“We strongly believe in our relations and our great future,” he said.
As a sign of gratitude on behalf of the Ukrainian people, the President of Ukraine presented state awards to Mateusz Morawiecki and Polish Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński for helping Ukraine defend its independence and territorial integrity during the Russian invasion.
After that, a joint meeting of the governments of the two countries was held with the participation of Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland.
The agenda included issues of legal and social guarantees for Polish citizens on the territory of Ukraine, the development of the western Ukrainian state border and cooperation in exercising control during the crossing of the Ukrainian-Polish border, etc.
In addition, a number of bilateral documents will be signed.