PM Shmyhal to make virtual visit to Germany on May 12

"We seriously prepare it [the visit] now. I, as an ambassador, am happy that not only the Foreign Minister of Ukraine paid his first virtual visit to Berlin, but also the Head of the Ukrainian Government will make his first virtual visit to Berlin," Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany Andriy Melnyk said in an interview with the Radio Liberty.

According to him, the talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel will take place on May 12.

"These will be the full-fledged talks which would take place in the format of a regular visit. There will be a powerful video conference. And I am convinced that thanks to such steps we will be able to attract support from the top leadership of Germany not only to further seek peace in eastern Ukraine, to de-occupy Crimea, but also to help Ukraine," the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany said.

According to him, Germany’s further support for reforms will be among the central talking points.

Melnyk specified that "Germany is – and this will not be an exaggeration – main Ukraine’s partner in supporting reforms not only in the EU but also global wide."

"Germany has allocated about EUR 1.4 billion in recent years alone to support reforms. Germany is one of Ukraine's economic partners. Last year, trade turnover exceeded USD 9.4 billion. And these topics, how not to lose this powerful pace of economic cooperation, how Germany can now help Ukraine overcome the consequences of coronavirus pandemic [will be discussed during Merkel-Shmyhal talks], "he said.

As reported, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba paid his first virtual visit in Europe to Germany and held talks with Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on March 24.

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