Spain supports Ukraine’s European integration, President’s Office reports

During his working visit to the Kingdom of Spain, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ihor Zhovkva, held several meetings with representatives of the Government and Parliament of this country

Rubryka reports, referring to the President's Office press service.

During the talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, and the Cooperation of Spain, Jose Manuel Albarez Bueno, they discussed granting Ukraine the status of a candidate country for EU membership in the context of the European Council on June 23-24.

In addition, the parties stressed the importance of strengthening the defense capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces by supplying our country with heavy weapons.

"Restricting russia's access to funds and technology should weaken its readiness to strike constantly on the territory of Ukraine and replenish military capabilities," said Ihor Zhovkva.

The parties exchanged views on involving Spanish businesses in reconstructing certain regions and cities of Ukraine destroyed by russian aggression.

The Deputy Head of the Office of the President informed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain about establishing new channels to export Ukrainian grain to the European and world markets.

Ihor Zhovkva also took part in an event marking the 40th anniversary of Spain's accession to NATO, attended by King Felipe VI of Spain, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

The speakers raised a critical topic of the need to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities amid russian aggression.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked the Spanish people for their support for the temporarily displaced Ukrainian citizens.

During the meeting with the Secretary of State for EU Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EU and Spanish Cooperation, Pascual Ignacio Navarro Ríos, the focus was on Ukraine's practical steps toward full membership in the European Union.

Ihor Zhovkva stressed that Ukraine's achievements in reforms, market integration, and the stability of institutions during the war were essential prerequisites for accelerated integration into the European Union.

"Ukrainian society has already proved its Europeanness, so our expectation for a candidate status in June is reasonable, justified, and suffered for," Ihor Zhovkva said.

At the meeting with the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defense of Spain, Admiral Juan Francisco Martínez Núñez, the parties discussed the cooperation between Ukraine and Spain in the military-technical field.

The Deputy Head of the Office of the President thanked for the military assistance received from Spain and expressed hope for its increase to strengthen resistance to russian military aggression.

Ihor Zhovkva praised Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martínez Almeida's active position in supporting Ukraine, particularly within the "Let's run for Ukraine. Let's run for peace" marathon on May 28, 2022.

According to preliminary estimates, the event, held in the center of the Spanish capital and dedicated to supporting Ukraine's status as a candidate for EU membership, brought together more than 3,000 participants.

As part of the visit of the Deputy Head of the President's Office, a ceremony of launching the "Spain with Ukraine" postage stamp was also held.

Ihor Zhovkva, together with the President of the Post, Juan Manuel Serrano Quintana, took part in the cancellation ceremony of the first copies of the stamp dedicated to Ukraine.