Estonia provides assistance for more than EUR 1.4M to Ukraine annually - Shmyhal

Estonia provides assistance for more than EUR 1.4 million to Ukraine annually, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has said at a joint briefing with Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas.

"Ukraine not only appreciates the strong political support from Estonia, but also the practical assistance that has been disbursed for Ukraine annually in the amount of more than 1.4 million euros," the prime minister said, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He also thanked Estonia for its support for humanitarian projects in Ukraine for more than EUR 500 thousand. This assistance will be primarily directed to the most vulnerable categories of citizens - children and internally displaced persons in eastern Ukraine.

Shmyhal also assured that the interests of Ukraine and Estonia coincide in all basic topics and areas of cooperation and thanked the Estonian partners for their support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and independence.

"We consider Estonia a reliable partner and a good friend, our interests coincide with all basic topics and areas of cooperation, it inspires and creates new opportunities for synergy between our countries," Shmyhal said.

Shmyhal added that he had discussed with his Estonian counterpart the issue of enhancing trade and economic cooperation, and noted great potential in this area.

In turn, Estonian Prime Minister Kaya Kallas stressed that her country fully supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic integration, calling for further reforms.

She said that since her last visit to Ukraine, there had been many changes for the better. Ukraine has managed to implement difficult reforms in the conditions of a real armed conflict, which is incited and committed by the Russian Federation.

She stressed that "Crimea is Ukraine" and Estonia, together with Ukrainian colleagues, will continue to work on the de-occupation of the peninsula.

As reported, Prime Minister of Estonia Kaya Kallas is on a three-day visit to Ukraine.

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