Ukrainian, Canadian foreign ministers discuss security, next stage of talks with Iran

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne have discussed security cooperation and the coordination of actions before the next stage of talks with Iran on compensation for the downing of flight PS752, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service has reported.

"The sides noted the exemplary cooperation between Ukraine and Canada in the field of security. Dmytro Kuleba expressed gratitude for the active participation of Canadian servicemen in Operation Unifier and the important contribution of the Canadian Armed Forces to strengthening the security of our state in cooperation with the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Francois-Philippe Champagne said the Canadian government had made the decision to allocate an additional 4.3 million Canadian dollars to support Ukraine's security and defense sector," the report reads.

Kuleba said the formation of a Ukrainian delegation for negotiations on expanding the free trade agreement between Ukraine and Canada was in its final stage.

"The parties paid attention to deepening economic cooperation and continuing the dialogue on visa liberalization. The interlocutors discussed the further implementation of reforms aimed at developing the Ukrainian economy and Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

According to the report, a particularly important topic of the conversation was the further coordination of actions before the next stage of negotiations with Iran on compensation for the downing of flight PS752.

The foreign ministers also exchanged views on the situation in Belarus.

Champagne expressed his condolences to Kuleba and to the loved ones and friends of those killed in the tragic crash of the An-26 military aircraft in the Kharkiv region.

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