UK's priorities for Ukraine will remain unchanged - Ambassador Simmons

The UK's priorities for Ukraine will remain unchanged after the creation of the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, British Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons has said.

"Today marks a new chapter in the UK government's history as two separate ministries - the Foreign Office and the Department for International Development - will become one Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. […] With this change, the UK's priorities for Ukraine will remain the same," the diplomat said in a video address on Facebook.

She added that when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson presented his vision for the merger to parliament, Ukraine was one of the countries that he spoke of, emphasizing the importance of Ukraine for European security.

Simmons said that Britain would remain a strong supporter of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and would continue to support Ukraine's ambitious reforms, promote human rights and freedoms, and work closely with local partners.

"The new Department will use all the tools of British influence to have even greater impact on the world stage and in Ukraine," she said.

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